Carney Launches ‘AI for All’ Strategy Aimed at Creating 250,000 Jobs and Boosting Canada’s Digital Economy

Canada AI Strategy Aims for $200B Economic Boost

TORONTO — Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a new national artificial intelligence strategy that aims to position Canada as a global leader in AI adoption, innovation, and digital sovereignty.

Announced June 4 in Toronto, the federal government’s new AI for All Strategy outlines a five-year plan focused on expanding artificial intelligence use across the economy while introducing new safeguards, training programs, and infrastructure investments.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the strategy aims to generate an additional $200 billion in economic growth, create 250,000 new AI-related jobs, and increase AI adoption among Canadian businesses from just over 12 per cent today to 60 per cent by 2034.

Strategy Built Around Trust, Opportunity and Sovereignty

The federal government said the strategy is guided by three core principles: building trust, creating opportunity, and reinforcing Canadian sovereignty.

Officials say Canada faces growing pressure to accelerate AI adoption as countries around the world compete for talent, investment, computing power, and technological leadership.

The Prime Minister’s Office noted that while Canada has a strong artificial intelligence research ecosystem and one of the fastest-growing digital sectors in the G7, the country has lagged behind many competitors in large-scale AI implementation.

LIVE: AI for All • EN DIRECT : L’IA pour tous https://t.co/pJsH295yZg

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 4, 2026

New Protections and Transparency Measures

As part of the strategy, Ottawa plans to modernize legislation governing artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

The government said proposed measures will include stronger protections for personal information, safeguards against harmful practices such as deepfakes and surveillance pricing, and expanded online safety measures designed to protect users of social media platforms and AI-powered services.

The strategy also calls for expanded responsibilities for the Canadian AI Safety Institute to conduct transparent evaluations of AI systems and improve public confidence in emerging technologies.

AI Education and Workforce Development

A major component of the strategy focuses on education and workforce training.

The federal government plans to launch a National AI Literacy Initiative, providing entry-level AI training to Canadians and integrating AI learning opportunities into post-secondary education.

The initiative aims to reach one million post-secondary students and provide training resources to more than 3,000 educators.

The strategy also includes up to 90,000 AI-related jobs, internships, and work placement opportunities for young Canadians, along with new training and upskilling programs for workers adapting to AI-enabled workplaces.

Supporting Businesses and Innovation

The federal government said the strategy will help small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI technologies to improve productivity and competitiveness.

Priority sectors identified in the plan include health care, energy, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, robotics, and public services.

Ottawa also plans to launch Canada’s first AI Missions Program, beginning with a health-care initiative designed to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in diagnostics, patient care, and health system efficiency.

Building Sovereign Canadian AI Infrastructure

The strategy includes significant investments aimed at strengthening Canada’s AI infrastructure and reducing reliance on foreign-controlled technology systems.

The federal government plans to develop a world-leading public AI supercomputer and expand Canadian cloud and high-performance computing capacity.

Additional measures include support for Canadian AI companies through improved access to capital, government procurement opportunities, intellectual property protections, and commercialization resources.

The government will also expand investments in AI research and talent development through the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) AI Chairs program and accelerated immigration pathways for highly skilled workers.

Canada’s Existing AI Leadership

Canada is already home to three nationally recognized AI institutes:

• The Vector Institute in Toronto
• Mila – Québec Artificial Intelligence Institute in Montréal
• The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute in Edmonton

Federal officials said more than 11,000 Canadians participated in consultations that helped shape the strategy, alongside recommendations from a 28-member expert task force representing industry, academia, labour organizations, and community groups.

The government said the AI for All Strategy is intended to ensure artificial intelligence contributes to economic growth while protecting Canadians’ privacy, security, and access to opportunity in an increasingly digital economy.

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Source: Prime Minister’s Office, Government of Canada.

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