As of 24 October 2026 Canada has no federal law written for AI. The proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act died when Parliament was prorogued on 6 January 2025. In 2026 the government released a national AI strategy and introduced two bills that touch AI, one on privacy (C-36) and one on online safety that includes AI chatbots (C-34). Neither had become law in the sources we checked.
01Does Canada have an AI law?
Not at federal level, as far as we found. Canada's first attempt was the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), part of Bill C-27. It would have set rules for high-impact AI systems, spread duties across the design, release and operation of a system, and created an AI and Data Commissioner with possible penalties. Its companion document now carries an archive banner. Gowling WLG's timeline records that Parliament was prorogued on 6 January 2025, that Bill C-27 died on the Order Paper, and that the committee study ended.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Ask a Canadian lawyer or the relevant regulator about a real case.
02Which rules apply to AI today?
- Voluntary code. The federal Voluntary Code of Conduct for advanced generative AI, launched in September 2023, lists six outcomes: accountability, safety, fairness and equity, transparency, human oversight and monitoring, and validity and robustness. Companies sign on by choice.
- Privacy law. Private-sector privacy is still governed by PIPEDA, which Bill C-36 would amend, per the government backgrounder.
- Ontario public sector. Ontario's Bill 194 enacted the Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act, 2024. Public bodies named in regulations that use AI must give the public information, build an accountability framework and manage risks, in line with the regulations. The act only sets the frame, so the duties depend on those regulations.
03What has been proposed in 2026?
The government announced its national strategy, titled AI for All, on 4 June 2026. Its first pillar promises to strengthen trust through privacy and online safety law and national AI safety capabilities. The six pillars are protecting Canadians and democracy, empowering Canadians, shared prosperity, sovereign AI capacity, scaling Canadian companies and trusted partnerships abroad. The news release names no new AI-specific rules or timelines.
- Bill C-34, Safe Social Media Act. Introduced on 10 June 2026. It would set an under-16 account rule for social media, create a Digital Safety Commission, and give certain AI chatbot services a duty to act responsibly, including reducing the risk of harmful content and harmful behaviour, and being open about when they report users who may be in crisis. All regulated services would also carry a duty to protect children (release).
- Bill C-36, Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act. Introduced on 15 June 2026. It would add transparency for automated decision systems, including those powered by AI, create the Digital Safety and Data Protection Commission, and allow penalties of up to $10 million or 3 percent of global revenue, and fines of up to $25 million or 5 percent for the most serious offences (backgrounder).
- AI transparency consultation. Run from 23 July to 23 September 2026, it asked about detecting AI-generated content, telling people when they deal with AI, access to information about AI systems, tracking serious incidents and tracking AI agents. The announcement says feedback will inform next steps and does not promise a regulation (announcement).
04What did the AI minister say most recently?
On 27 September 2026, CP24 reported that the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation said AI deployment needs regulation but gave no details, and would not confirm that a bill was coming (CP24). The report lists the strategy, the two bills above and work on chatbots and deepfakes as related measures. It also says he is tracking risks from the most advanced AI models closely and has discussed international coordination with G7 and G20 counterparts, with no timeline set.
As of 24 October 2026 we found no AI-specific bill. The government pages we read describe C-34 and C-36 as proposals. To follow them yourself, look up each bill by number and session (the 45th Parliament, first session) on the Parliament of Canada's LEGISinfo site, and read the government's own releases for what each bill is meant to do.
A bill that has passed first reading can still change or fail. Check the Parliament of Canada's LEGISinfo page for each bill's current stage.
?What is not known
- Whether C-34 and C-36 pass, and in what form. Our sources show them at first reading in June 2026.
- Whether Ontario has put its AI duties into force and which bodies must follow them. Check Ontario's e-Laws site for regulations.
- Whether the government will bring a separate AI bill. The minister gave no commitment on 27 September 2026.
- We did not review other provinces' rules.
QQuestions people ask
What happened to the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act?
It never became law. It was part of Bill C-27, which died on the Order Paper when Parliament was prorogued in January 2025.
Do Canadian companies have to follow the voluntary code?
No. The government calls it a voluntary commitment, and companies choose whether to sign. Other laws, such as privacy law, still apply to them.
Last checked October 24, 2026. Rules and settings change, so open the source to see the current version.
- AIDA companion document (archived) Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Describes the proposed AIDA; carries an archive banner.
- Bill C-36 timeline of developments Gowling WLG (law firm) Secondary source on C-27's death and C-36's first reading.
- Backgrounder on the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act Government of Canada, ISED Official summary of Bill C-36, introduced 15 June 2026.
- Safe Social Media Act release Government of Canada, Canadian Heritage Official release on Bill C-34 and AI chatbots.
- National AI strategy release Government of Canada, ISED Official release on the AI for All strategy.
- Public consultation on AI transparency Government of Canada, ISED Official announcement with dates and topics.
- Voluntary Code of Conduct on advanced generative AI Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada The voluntary code and its six outcomes.
- Bill 194, Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024 Ontario e-Laws The statute text with its AI provisions.
- AI minister says deployment needs regulation CP24 News report of the minister's 27 September 2026 comments.
General information, not legal, medical, financial or investment advice. We are not affiliated with any company, agency or standards body named here. See our editorial policy and corrections, or tell us about a mistake at [email protected].