OTTAWA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Prime Minister Mark Carney has introduced a new national artificial intelligence council to provide guidance to the federal government on issues related to AI implementation, safety, and sovereignty. Announced on October 2, 2026, the Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence is tasked with offering independent, actionable advice as Canada advances its AI for All national strategy. The council’s responsibilities encompass economic competitiveness, public service innovation, research development, talent acquisition, infrastructure, and the overarching governance of artificial intelligence.
This council will analyze strategies for increasing AI adoption across various sectors of the Canadian economy while ensuring control over vital technological advancements. It will also advise on issues concerning Canadian AI businesses, sovereign infrastructure, safety protocols, governance structures, and potential threats to democratic institutions. According to the government, the council’s role is to facilitate collaboration among public and private sector stakeholders and identify areas that require coordinated action. Policy decisions and their implementation will remain under the jurisdiction of cabinet ministers and federal departments, while a dedicated team within the Privy Council Office will support the council’s work.
The composition of the group includes a mix of researchers, technology industry leaders, investors, public officials, and specialists in AI safety and oversight. Among its members are Yoshua Bengio, Sanja Fidler, Ajay Agrawal, Valérie Pisano, Michelle Zatlyn, Jody Thomas, and Louis Vachon. The council also features Senator Thomas Pitfield, John Graham, Gillian Hadfield, Jordan Jacobs, and Eric Lamarre. Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, serves as an ex officio member. The members’ backgrounds span research, finance, national security, technology, and government administration.
Linking AI safety to national strategy through the new council
Canada launched its AI for All initiative in June 2026 as part of its overarching artificial intelligence strategy. This framework emphasizes three core goals: fostering trust, expanding opportunities, and maintaining Canadian control over critical AI technologies. Its six pillars include public protection, skills development, economic adoption, sovereign infrastructure, support for Canadian companies, and international collaborations. The strategy also advocates for enhanced AI safety capabilities, modernized privacy and online security regulations, and more resilient government systems.
To measure progress, the federal government set specific targets such as increasing AI adoption from just over 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. As part of this broader plan, Ottawa also intends to create up to 90,000 AI-related jobs and internships for young Canadians. In September, a commitment was made to allocate up to C$162 million over five years to support 10,000 AI work placements through Mitacs AI Advantage.
Expanding AI initiatives into public services
Prime Minister Mark Carney also announced the formation of Digital Transformation Canada in September, aimed at modernizing federal services and broadening the government’s digital tool utilization. This new organization consolidates Shared Services Canada and selected functions from various federal departments and agencies, with the goal of improving how the government develops, purchases, and employs technology. Its priorities include leveraging federal procurement to assist Canadian digital and AI firms in testing, scaling, and commercializing innovative technologies. Patrick Pichette took on the role of chief executive on September 9, 2026.
The newly established council will serve primarily as an advisory body, not as a policymaking entity. Its focus will be on issues that intersect with the government’s AI strategy, such as AI adoption, public-sector transformation, talent development, and sovereign infrastructure. It will also work on safety, governance, and the protection of Canadian democratic institutions as AI use continues to grow. The council’s recommendations are intended to shape the evolution of AI for All, while policy decisions and implementation remain the responsibility of ministers and federal agencies. The council does not possess separate authority to create or execute federal policy.