Canada expands AI strategy, funding workforce training while criticised for foreign vendor contracts

The Canadian government released the "AI for All" strategy, targeting 60% AI adoption across businesses by 2034. It earmarks $500 million for equity stakes in AI firms, $700 million for compute power, and introduces a Trusted AI Certification program and health‑focused missions. Critics note that despite the sovereign‑AI rhetoric, the Department of National Defence and the Ontario Provincial Police have long used US‑based Palantir platforms under undisclosed contracts worth tens of millions of dollars.

Separately, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) launched the AI Pathways program, funded with $10.4 million from the federal Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program. The initiative offers free training to up‑skill up to 6,000 energy‑sector workers, with a Foundations track for broad AI literacy and a Technical track that quickly filled 190 spots. Participants work on real‑world capstone projects covering machine‑learning operations, scalability, and integration with legacy systems, aiming to accelerate Canada’s low‑carbon transition.

Both efforts reflect Canada’s push to build domestic AI capabilities while navigating existing reliance on foreign technology.