Skip to content
Home > Future of Work > What it will take to make Canada…

Future of work

A curated resource of recent research on trends shaping Canada's labour market.

What it will take to make Canada an AI powerhouse

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE SOURCE
Key Takeaway
Experts say that harmonizing regulations, modernizing copyright laws, strengthening cybersecurity, and upgrading Canada’s energy infrastructure are crucial for building a strong AI industry.

 

When considering the future of work, few emerging sectors are more relevant than AI. Yet the question remains: What will it take for AI industries to take off?  

The Public Policy Forum convened experts to explore some key barriers that could hold Canada back from becoming an AI powerhouse. The event yielded several insights that point to the approaches needed to develop a strong, thriving AI industry in Canada. 

A common theme discussed at the event was the need for policy harmonization in several key areas. 

The experts suggest that harmonizing policies would reduce unpredictability, encourage investment, and allow long-term strategies to operate more efficiently. They also acknowledge the need for more a coherent and consistent energy and transmission policy and for robust energy infrastructure to support digital transformation and AI innovation.  

Modernizing laws around copyright was also recommended as a way to reduce barriers to the development of AI and large language models and allow Canada to become a more competitive place to develop AI technologies. 

Another suggestion was to prioritize cybersecurity to strengthen data security, given that infrastructure systems are deeply interconnected and that their safety is key to the industries’ sustainability.  

Collectively, the experts propose that working on these issues will make the Canadian landscape more conducive to investment and innovation in AI. 

New
April, 2025 | Wang, Z., Shakir, S., Servais, B., Osman, S., Hu, Y., Gamal, Y., Elshrief, M., Cloete, K. J., Mostafa, A., Santos, J., Xia, Y., Chen, C. X., Li, F., Hilal, I. H. I., Elsayed, A. E., Abdallatif, Y., Zhang, H., & Tsiroukis, F.
Key Takeaway: Emerging fields of science could reshape the landscapes of entire industries. Strong guardrails are needed to mitigate potential unintended risks for health, the environment, and labour markets.
New
December, 2024 | Public Policy Forum
Key Takeaway: Experts say that harmonizing regulations, modernizing copyright laws, strengthening cybersecurity, and upgrading Canada’s energy infrastructure are crucial for building a strong AI industry.
New
January, 2025 | Donald, F. & Janzen, N.
Key Takeaway: Researchers across Canada have been developing predictions and estimates for the potential impacts of tariffs by examining past trade policies and various economic factors.
New
March, 2025 | McMillan, H.
Key Takeaway: Tariffs are the latest factor expected to influence the labour market. Understanding how they will affect local labour markets and economies is crucial.
New
2025 | The Conference Board of Canada
Key Takeaway: The economy in Yukon is expected to grow by 41% from 2024 to 2045. However, the existing labour supply cannot meet the territory’s current labour demand.
New
2025 | Munro, D., & Lamb C.
Key Takeaway: Work-integrated learning programs that are short, flexible and less resource-intensive increase opportunities for students to develop professional skills and networks.
Load More

Contact Us

350 Sparks Street
Suite 604
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 0A4

Please enter your name.
Please enter a message.
Please check the captcha to verify you are not a robot.
Scroll To Top