September 9, 2025
RED FM News Desk
The federal government plans to launch a public registry to keep Canadians informed about its increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI).
According to Stephen Burt, the government’s chief data officer, “We are seeing a lot more activity across departments and agencies.” This registry will also help the government itself keep track of ongoing AI projects. Kara Beckles, Executive Director of Privacy and Responsible Data at the Treasury Board, noted that while AI platforms are being used in many ways, there is no “full and complete list” of all the projects.
Beckles explained that in recent years, departments have begun to “experiment more and more with implementing AI in different ways.” For instance, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is using AI to locate lost fishing gear, Agriculture Canada is processing satellite data to predict crop yields, and Transport Canada is using AI to screen high-risk air cargo.
These initiatives have been launched by individual departments, but the public service is now working on a more coordinated approach under a new AI strategy. This shift aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s campaign promise to use AI to make the public service more efficient. Meanwhile, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has asked his colleagues to identify a 15% cut in program spending by 2028-29.
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