Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, addressed the audience at the Canada 2020 conference held in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby)
In a major shift from past approaches, Canada’s newly appointed Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Evan Solomon, made it clear that his focus will be less on strict AI rules and more on using the technology to boost Canada’s economy.
During his first speech since stepping into the role — a national first — Solomon addressed a crowd in Ottawa at an event hosted by Canada 2020, a public policy think tank. There, he shared his plans to steer away from what he described as “over-indexing” on regulation and instead push toward expanding AI’s positive impact on Canada’s future.
He emphasized that while some level of regulation is still necessary, especially in terms of protecting privacy and data, the country should avoid being overly cautious. “We can’t just try to throw a saddle on AI and hold on tight,” he said, comparing innovation to a wild horse. “But we do need to make sure that it doesn’t kick people in the face — especially when it comes to their data and privacy.”
Solomon addressed the previous government’s privacy and AI regulation bill, which had targeted high-impact AI systems. That bill didn’t become law due to the election, but Solomon said it hasn’t been scrapped completely — instead, it will be reassessed under today’s rapidly changing AI environment.
He also acknowledged the difficulty of applying meaningful AI regulations globally. “Internationally, it’s just not working,” he said. “There are too many loopholes, and major players like the U.S. and China aren’t interested in being limited by strict rules.”
That doesn’t mean Canada will have no rules at all, Solomon clarified. Rather, he plans to build regulation step by step — in a way that makes sense and keeps pace with technological change. He made it clear that going solo on AI policy isn’t a smart move. “It’s a waste of time,” he said. Canada will need to collaborate internationally and strategically to make real progress.
Solomon stressed that AI is not just a tech issue — it’s tied directly to Canada’s economic future. That means investing in research, expanding data centers, defending Canadian intellectual property, and most importantly, turning ideas into real business results.
His ministry will focus on four main areas: growing Canada’s AI industry, encouraging adoption across sectors, building public trust, and ensuring national control over the technology. Solomon also made a point to mention support for homegrown AI leaders like Cohere. He believes the government should actively champion these companies through targeted investment and support.
Lastly, he highlighted the gap between large corporations and small to mid-sized businesses in adopting AI. While big firms are charging ahead, many smaller players are lagging. Solomon sees it as the government’s job to help close that gap and make AI more accessible across the board.
