The appointment of Evan Solomon as Canada’s first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence has sparked a mix of curiosity, hope, and calls for inclusive policymaking among the country’s AI and tech leaders.
Solomon, a former journalist with a background in the humanities, may not come from the tech sector—but that, according to some experts, could be precisely what the country needs. Mark Daley, chief AI officer at Western University, sees the choice as a signal that Canada is finally addressing the social questions around AI, not just the technical ones.
“Solomon is an intriguing choice,” said Daley. “The biggest challenge with AI right now isn’t technological—it’s societal.”
Solomon, elected to Parliament for the first time this past April, previously hosted programs on CBC and CTV. His appointment is being interpreted as a strategic move by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to bring a broader, human-focused lens to a field often dominated by engineers and coders.
Olivier Blais, co-founder of Montreal-based Moov AI and co-chair of the national AI council, welcomed the move—but stressed that the minister must balance technical expertise with public interest.
“AI policy is often shaped by scientific and corporate voices,” Blais said in an email to Metroland Media. “But the societal impacts are just as important. If we want AI policy that truly benefits all Canadians, we need a wider lens.”
With this appointment, Carney’s administration is making it clear that AI is a national priority. Glenda Crisp, CEO of the Vector Institute, called the new ministry “a recognition of Canada’s foundational role in AI research and innovation.”
Daley believes the government should now move swiftly to develop a National AI Productivity Agenda—one that helps small- and medium-sized businesses go fully “AI native” and integrates AI tools across federal government operations.
Both Daley and Blais stress that Canada must urgently invest in AI skills training. While Carney promised national retraining initiatives during the election, Blais emphasized that Canadians now expect “execution, funding, and measurable results.”
“The clock is ticking,” he said. “We need to ensure AI enhances jobs, not replaces them. That starts with giving Canadians the tools to thrive.”
Canada’s lag in AI regulation also looms large. Blais criticized past efforts like Bill C-27 for being too vague and disconnected from urgent realities such as deepfakes, misinformation, and algorithmic transparency.
“We don’t need sweeping laws that try to cover everything. We need focused, flexible regulations—like watermarking AI-generated content, transparency in automated systems, and clear labelling,” he said.
Another critical issue: inclusivity. Jeff Ward, founder of Animikii Indigenous Technology and a government-appointed AI advisor, said Indigenous peoples must be central to any meaningful AI policy.
“Indigenous Nations and organizations need seats at the table where decisions are made—not just post-facto consultations,” said Ward. “We’re tired of being afterthoughts in tech revolutions.”
Ward emphasized the importance of funding Indigenous-led AI solutions for health, environmental, and community-specific needs, while respecting data sovereignty.
He also cautioned against data colonialism—where governments or corporations appropriate data from individuals or communities for profit or control, echoing historical injustices.
“Centre our voices in AI policy,” he warned. “Or Canada risks repeating the mistakes of the past.”
As Solomon begins his tenure, the message from Canada’s AI community is clear: the opportunity is historic—but so is the responsibility.