OTTAWA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Prime Minister Mark Carney has established a national artificial intelligence council to guide the federal government on issues related to AI safety, adoption, and sovereignty. On October 2, 2026, Carney unveiled the Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence, which aims to provide independent, pragmatic counsel as Canada advances its AI for All national strategy. The council’s scope includes fostering economic competitiveness, enhancing public services, supporting research and talent development, building infrastructure, and overseeing broader AI governance.
This body will evaluate ways to expand AI integration throughout the Canadian economy while maintaining control over vital technology. Additionally, it will advise on matters concerning Canadian AI companies, sovereign infrastructure, safety, governance, and risks posed to democratic institutions. The government emphasizes that the council will facilitate connections between public and private stakeholders, pinpointing areas requiring coordinated efforts. Policy decisions and implementation will remain with cabinet ministers and federal agencies, with a dedicated team in the Privy Council Office supporting the council’s activities.
The composition includes researchers, technology executives, investors, public officials, and specialists in AI safety and oversight. Notable members comprise Yoshua Bengio, Sanja Fidler, Ajay Agrawal, Valérie Pisano, Michelle Zatlyn, Jody Thomas, and Louis Vachon. Senators Thomas Pitfield and John Graham, along with Gillian Hadfield, Jordan Jacobs, and Eric Lamarre, also participate. Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, serves as an ex officio member. Their expertise spans research, finance, national security, technology, and public administration.
Linking AI safety to national strategy
Canada introduced AI for All in June 2026 as its overarching artificial intelligence strategy. The framework is built around three key objectives: fostering trust, expanding opportunities, and maintaining Canadian control over essential AI capabilities. Its six pillars address public protection, skills development, economic adoption, sovereign infrastructure, Canadian enterprise support, and international collaboration. The strategy also emphasizes strengthening AI safety measures, updating privacy and online safety regulations, and securing government systems.
The government set measurable targets, including increasing AI adoption from slightly above 12% to 60% by 2034. It aims to generate an additional C$200 billion in economic growth and create 250,000 new AI-related jobs within five years. Under this strategy, up to 90,000 AI-related roles and internships for young Canadians are planned. In September, Ottawa committed as much as C$162 million over five years to fund 10,000 AI-focused work placements through Mitacs AI Advantage.
Expansion of AI initiatives into public services
In September, Carney also launched Digital Transformation Canada to modernize federal services and increase the government’s digital presence. This initiative consolidates Shared Services Canada and selected functions from several federal departments and agencies. It aims to improve how technology is developed, purchased, and utilized across the government. One of its main priorities is leveraging federal purchasing power to support Canadian digital and AI firms in testing, scaling, and commercializing innovative technologies. Patrick Pichette assumed the role of chief executive on September 9, 2026.
The new council will serve primarily as an advisory entity rather than a policymaking body. It will focus on issues intersecting with the government’s AI agenda, such as adoption, public-sector transformation, talent acquisition, and sovereign infrastructure. It will also tackle safety, governance, and the safeguarding of Canadian democracy as AI adoption expands. Recommendations from the council will help shape the evolution of AI for All, but the responsibility for policy decisions and implementation remains with ministers and federal departments. The council does not possess authority to create or enforce federal policy independently.