QUESTION PERIOD — Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Artificial Intelligence
June 2, 2026
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Senator Moreau, this question follows a round table of Indigenous AI experts, convened by the Assembly of First Nations. Reports indicate that Minister Solomon’s draft AI strategy is entitled “AI for All.” This is a recurrent theme in the minister’s vision of AI in Canada.
However, there are major barriers to broad AI adoption by First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. In part, these include a lack of access to infrastructure required to power and house the necessary servers, as well as legal infrastructure to inform data sovereignty and digital repatriation.
Senator, what concrete steps has your government taken to address these concerns?
Thank you, Senator Prosper. I cannot speak to the AI strategy, as it has not yet been released. However, I can say that the strategy will protect our data and focus on empowering workers and researchers by building Canada’s AI.
Government work is being informed by a 28-member AI Strategy Task Force and consultation that has received over 11,000 public submissions.
The government has also committed to connecting 98% of Canadians, including Indigenous communities, to high-speed internet by 2026, which will be a first step on broad AI adoption by First Nations.
The government has also provided over $420 million to support Indigenous businesses to build capacity and access to capital through their network of over 50 Indigenous financial institutions, enabling Indigenous businesses interested in AI to access resources.
Senator Moreau, an Assembly of First Nations, or AFN, resolution last December called on the AFN to work with the Government of Canada to develop:
. . . strict regulations that protect and empower the use of First Nations data in AI, in line with First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession . . . .
Can you tell us where the government is on developing these regulations around data governance and data sovereignty?
The idea is to protect all data: Indigenous Peoples’ data and all Canadians’ data.
The government believes that sovereign compute and sovereign cloud are foundational for Canada’s digital future.
Sovereign compute means powerful, Canadian-controlled data centres that provide AI capacity for researchers and businesses in Canada.
Sovereign cloud means keeping sensitive information stored and managed under Canadian law and Canadian jurisdiction.
Together, they can deliver digital sovereignty for our country. That means that sensitive information and critical data should live in Canada —
Thank you, Senator Moreau.
