By Cameron A. Axford and Martin U. Wissmath

Government of Canada Launches AI Strategy Task Force

The Government of Canada has launched a new AI Strategy Task Force to help shape the country’s next national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. Announced on September 26, 2025 (the “Announcement”), by the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, the initiative seeks to strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in responsible and secure AI innovation.

According to the Announcement, the AI Strategy Task Force marks the government’s next major step toward developing a renewed national AI strategy that will guide research, commercialization, and adoption across both the public and private sectors. The new strategy will aim to reinforce Canada’s digital sovereignty, accelerate AI-driven economic growth, and strengthen public confidence in the safe use of emerging technologies.

As part of the development process, the government convened a 30-day national consultation in October 2025 to gather feedback from industry, academia, and civil society. Insights collected during that process will inform the Task Force’s recommendations and the strategy’s final design.

The AI Strategy Task Force will bring together leading figures from across Canada’s “AI ecosystem,” according to the Announcement, drawn from sectors including business, academia, charities & not-for-profits, think tanks and government advisory bodies. These leaders are to provide actionable, time-limited advice on key themes, including research and talent, industry and government adoption, commercialization, scaling Canadian AI companies, education and skills development, infrastructure, and security. Their collective mandate is to develop “bold, pragmatic and actionable” recommendations that will guide the government’s next phase of AI policy.

In announcing the initiative, Minister Solomon stated that the forthcoming strategy will accelerate the development of “nation-building AI and data infrastructure,” drive adoption across sectors, and help Canada build “the strongest economy in the G7.” The strategy is also expected to emphasize public trust and the responsible use of AI, including measures related to transparency, education, and the security of Canada’s digital infrastructure.

Canada was the first country to launch a funded national AI strategy – the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy – in 2017. Since then, the federal government reports investing approximately $742 million in the Canadian AI ecosystem. The new task force will complement existing advisory structures, including the Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence, and build on prior initiatives such as the $2 billion Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy announced in 2024 to expand domestic computing capacity.

For charities and not-for-profits, this renewed focus on AI signals a growing expectation that all sectors will engage with digital innovation responsibly and strategically. As the federal strategy evolves, organizations may wish to assess how AI tools can be integrated into their operations while maintaining compliance with privacy, governance, and transparency obligations. The government’s emphasis on ethical and trustworthy AI may also shape future funding programs, reporting standards, and data management expectations across the broader landscape for charities and not-for-profits.

Upcoming Webinar: AI — A Brave New World for Charities and NFPs

As discussed in the above article on the federal government’s new AI Strategy Task Force, Canada’s growing focus on artificial intelligence underscores why charities and not-for-profits must stay informed about this rapidly evolving field. AI is no longer a distant or speculative issue – it’s embedded in the tools many organizations already use, from donor databases and translation platforms to word processors and email systems.

To help charities and not-for-profit organizations navigate this changing landscape, Cameron A. Axford and Martin U. Wissmath will be co-presenting a webinar titled AI: A Brave New World for Charities and NFPs, as part of the 2025 Carters Annual Charity & Not-for-Profit Law Webinar on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The session will explore what AI is, why it matters, and how organizations can develop responsible, principle-based policies to guide its use. Drawing on legal cases and real-world examples, the presenters will outline practical steps for adopting AI ethically while protecting confidentiality, data integrity, and public trust.

To register for the webinar, please visit the Carters website.

​Read the October 2025 Charity & NFP Law Update