The committee studied the future of artificial intelligence in Canada, hearing from Diane Gutiw of CGI Inc., Angela Adam of eStruxture Data Centers Inc., Eric Kolaczyk of McGill University, Françoys Labonté of the Computer Research Institute of Montréal, and Hugo Larochelle of Mila.
Diane Gutiw said Canada leads in fundamental AI research but must strengthen the path from research to commercialization by shifting from risk aversion to responsible innovation, streamlining funding, and aligning immigration policies to retain talent. She recommended the federal government define sovereignty clearly, protect intellectual property and data, and establish benefit-sharing rules for public-private partnerships, while noting that collaboration with foreign firms is necessary but must be structured to benefit Canada.
Angela Adam argued that Canada cannot lead in AI without sovereign, high-performance digital infrastructure built and controlled domestically, as researchers increasingly rely on foreign compute. She proposed a national strategy for sovereign infrastructure, dedicated capacity for research institutes, and partnerships with Canadian-owned operators, and noted that the $240 million grant to Cohere was executed with a U.S. company rather than a Canadian provider, though she said the government has been open to consultation.
Eric Kolaczyk said university-based institutes like his own are vital for breaking down disciplinary silos, democratizing AI resources, and translating research into policy and industry contexts. He emphasized that Canada’s collaborative academic culture is a strength and that sustained support for such institutes is essential for maintaining the country’s position in responsible AI.
Françoys Labonté said Canada underinvests in experimental development and industrialization, which are distinct from research and critical for converting advances into economic value. He recommended supporting research and technology organizations like CRIM, which bridge academia and industry, and argued that federal programs should be adjusted to recognize and fund this intermediary role, noting that Quebec’s model has generated significant returns.
Hugo Larochelle urged the government to renew and expand the Canada CIFAR AI chairs program immediately, as the current cycle sunsets in 2026 and top researchers are deciding their futures now. He also called for directed, mission-oriented research funding for teams, separate from individual chairs, to tackle complex national challenges, and said pre-seed and seed funding gaps hinder start-up commercialization.
After the testimony, the committee debated a motion to invite Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon for two hours each before December 11, with a report to the House. An amendment to strike the reporting requirement was proposed, and after discussion the committee adjourned without a vote on the motion or amendment.
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