Improve AI procurement • YouBetcha

Current Status

Status: Not Started

The Carney government has yet to implement any concrete measures to improve AI procurement, leaving the promise unaddressed despite early discussions in related policy areas.

Background

Canada has long positioned itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence, with major hubs in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver fostering innovation through research and talent development. During the 2025 federal election campaign, Mark Carney emphasized improving AI procurement as part of a broader strategy to enhance government adoption of AI technologies, aiming to streamline processes, boost efficiency, and ensure ethical implementation amid growing international competition. Fulfilling this promise would require specific policy changes, such as updating procurement guidelines, investing in infrastructure, and establishing frameworks for ethical AI use in public sectors. Prior administrations, including Justin Trudeau's, laid groundwork with initiatives like the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which focused on research and talent attraction, but these efforts predate Carney's tenure and reflect a different government's priorities. Carney's pledge sought to build on this foundation by prioritizing government procurement reforms to drive industry adoption and protect Canadian interests in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Evidence

On October 1 to October 31, 2025, the Carney government conducted public consultations on the next chapter of Canada's AI leadership, engaging over 11,000 Canadians and 28 AI Strategy Task Force members to gather input on themes including research, talent, and industry adoption [1]. This process produced a report analyzing feedback from various sectors, such as IT/technology, professional services, and academia, highlighting priorities like strengthening AI talent pipelines, building sovereign compute infrastructure, and shifting toward greater government adoption of AI. However, these consultations represent preliminary engagements rather than substantive policy actions. No further documented steps, such as legislative changes, funding allocations, or procurement guideline updates specifically tied to improving AI procurement, have been taken by the Carney government as of March 26, 2026. Other departmental plans, like the Department of Justice Canada's 2026-2027 Departmental Plan released in early 2026, outline broader priorities including economic strengthening and legal system improvements but do not reference specific AI procurement reforms [2]. Similarly, accessibility plans and reports from related agencies focus on general procurement practices without addressing AI-specific enhancements [3,8].

Assessment

More than a year into Mark Carney's tenure as Prime Minister, the promise to improve AI procurement remains untouched in terms of real-world implementation, with the government's efforts so far limited to exploratory consultations that have not translated into policy or action. While the October 2025 consultations gathered valuable input on AI strategy, including potential pathways for government adoption, they fall short of the tangible steps needed to reform procurement processes, such as revising federal guidelines or launching dedicated programs. This lack of progress underscores a gap between campaign rhetoric and governance, particularly as Canada faces intensifying global pressures in AI development; without concrete moves, the promise risks fading into the background of broader economic priorities outlined in departmental reports.

The absence of verifiable actions, like updated procurement frameworks or investments in AI infrastructure, leaves the government open to criticism that it has prioritized other areas, such as workforce reskilling and defense rebuilding, over this specific commitment. Documents from the period, including speeches and backgrounders on strategic industries, highlight investments in training and international partnerships but omit any direct reference to AI procurement improvements. As deadlines for related AI strategies approach, the Carney administration must demonstrate more than dialogue to avoid perceptions of stagnation in a field critical to Canada's competitive edge.

Ultimately, the evidence points to a promise that has not advanced beyond initial discussions, reflecting the challenges of transitioning from election pledges to policy execution in a complex federal landscape. With no legislative or operational changes on record, the status quo persists, and stakeholders in the AI sector continue to await the reforms Carney highlighted during his campaign.

Current Status

Background

Evidence

Assessment

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