The federal government released their new National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy: AI for All (Strategy) on June 4, 2026, as a broad, five-year plan to speed up the adoption of AI in the workplace and position Canada as a global AI leader. The Strategy describes the government’s commitment to spending billions of dollars in federal investments and projects 250,000 new AI-related jobs by 2031, as well as up to 90,000 jobs through young Canadians employment programs.
The 50-page document is presented as a framework, identifying six pillars:
- Protecting Canadians and safeguarding our democracy
- Empowering Canadians
- Powering AI adoption for shared prosperity
- Building the Canadian sovereign AI foundation
- Scaling Canadian champions
- Building trusted partnerships and global alliances.
In addition to the pillars, the framework targets five “priority” business sectors:
- Health and life sciences
- Energy and natural resources
- Transportation
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing and robotics.
The Need for an AI Strategy
In Prime Minister Mark Carney’s news release, AI is explained as being at the centre of transforming the economy in a “global race to secure the talent, infrastructure and innovation” needed for economic prosperity. As noted in the Strategy, the federal government intends to increase AI adoption in businesses from 12% currently to 60% by 2034.
Growing Use of AI
With the growth of AI in the workplace, the nature of work is changing. The Strategy revealed that currently, Canada uses less AI in business than other countries, calling it a “major adoption gap.” Low usage therefore results in lower AI literacy for employees.
New Statistics Canada analysis released on June 11, 2026 shows that AI use among businesses producing goods or delivering services has tripled since the second quarter of 2024. The most common business uses are data analytics (36.6%), text analytics (34.5%) and virtual agents or chatbots (28.2%).
There is still concern from employees that AI will replace many jobs, although it appears that AI and other types of automation are redefining roles but not replacing them. Statistics Canada estimates that close to 60% of jobs in Canada have exposure to AI but says AI may change the jobs of about half of these workers, rather than replace them.
TD’s report, “Canadian Labour Market & Recession Risk in the Age of AI,” found that AI is not an immediate threat to workers and that, “In the near term, its impact is more likely to take the form of task transformation and role augmentation, particularly in occupations with high exposure to AI.”
However, “re‑hiring patterns can change, raising the likelihood that jobs lost do not return in the same form. For displaced workers, this increases the risk of longer periods of joblessness and greater skills erosion.”
What This Means for the Next Five Years
The Strategy signals that Canada is likely to introduce a variety of new AI legislation and regulations, policies, and investments in programs to support responsible AI adoption and emphasize a workforce trained in AI, including focusing on education for young Canadians so they are career ready.
In addition, the federal government will focus on addressing privacy and online safety and develop new standards to ensure the trustworthiness of AI products available.
Key Actions Identified Affecting Employers
The Strategy addresses more than just employers but identifies several key actions that employers should be aware of:
- The goal is not simply to introduce more technology into the workplace. It is to make AI adoption pro-worker, practical and productivity-enhancing, helping Canadian businesses compete while giving workers the tools, voice and opportunities they need to thrive in an AI-enabled economy.
- Canada will assess training and upskill offerings for mid-career workers, including in skilled trades, to scale-up employer-led training nationwide with a strong priority on AI-related skills.
- Canada will accelerate AI literacy across female-dominated sectors most exposed to early disruption through the existing Women’s Program, a program that aims to increase economic security and prosperity for women and girls.
- This work will require close collaboration with employers, unions, colleges, CÉGEPs, polytechnics, universities, Indigenous partners and training providers.
Check out the International Foundation’s AI and Employee Benefits toolkit for updates.
Additional Government Resources:
Enhancing trust in artificial intelligence through increased transparency
Overview of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All
Developed by International Foundation Information Center staff. This does not constitute legal advice. Please consult your plan professionals for legal advice.
