A new survey shows Canadians want stronger oversight of artificial intelligence, with 85 per cent of respondents saying governments should step in to regulate the technology.
The Leger poll, conducted online between August 22 and 25 with 1,518 participants, found that more than half—57 per cent—strongly agree AI tools must be governed to ensure ethical and safe use. Despite these concerns, Canadians are also increasingly embracing the technology, with 57 per cent reporting they have used an AI tool, up 10 per cent since March.
The results come at a time when Canada’s artificial intelligence minister has suggested placing less emphasis on regulation, even as global trends show governments pivoting from safety and governance to broader adoption of AI systems.
Canadians’ top worries remain job losses and the risks of misuse, underscoring a growing tension between technological enthusiasm and ethical safeguards.
While the polling industry’s standards body notes that online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error, the numbers suggest a powerful national consensus: Canadians want their governments to take action on AI oversight.