QUESTION PERIOD — Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Artificial Intelligence
June 9, 2026
Senator Moreau, your government’s so-called new AI strategy, released last week, has drawn attention for its focus on data sovereignty and the goal of scaling Canadian AI champions. However, when Liberal governments speak of building national champions, Canadians have reason to be wary. Time and again, we have seen public funds go towards well-connected insiders with limited transparency and questionable results, from SNC‑Lavalin to WE Charity, to GC Strategies Inc. and, most recently, to PrescribeIT.
With significant new investments now planned in AI and data infrastructure, can you explain what specific safeguards and accountability measures would be put in place to ensure these initiatives do not become another avenue for insider contracting and political favouritism?
Thank you for the question, Senator Martin. It gives me the opportunity to say that Canada is in a global race to capture economic innovation while ensuring data security. Those questions are frequently raised here in the Senate. That is why the Prime Minister launched AI for All, Canada’s new national AI strategy: to build trust, expand opportunities and reinforce our sovereignty. When you want to build trust, you do it with the utmost transparency, and that’s what the government is committed to doing.
Thank you, senator.
Accountability must be at the core of any credible strategy on AI and data sovereignty. Given ongoing concerns about transparency in federal procurement, can you explain why the Department of National Defence reportedly undervalued, by approximately $30 million, the disclosed cost of an American defence software contract with Palantir? How does this situation align with your government’s stated commitment to data sovereignty and to full transparency for Canadians?
Thank you for the question.
You’re right. Canadians expect rigorous measures to protect their data every time the government works with an external provider. The government is ensuring all data infrastructure has multiple levels of scrutiny to ensure security, especially in the context of national defence. The contract attributed to Palantir was attributed to a Canadian branch and was authorized following an open and competitive bidding process.
