The message from Canadians couldn’t be clearer: we want artificial intelligence regulated, and we want it regulated now. A new Leger survey found that a staggering 85 percent of Canadians believe governments should step in to ensure AI tools are used ethically and safely. That’s not a slim majority it’s an overwhelming public mandate.
Yet, the government doesn’t seem to be listening. Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon recently downplayed regulation, arguing that Canada should focus more on reaping economic benefits than on reining in potential harms. His metaphor comparing regulation to putting “a saddle on the bucking bronco” of AI might sound clever, but it’s dismissive of the very real fears Canadians have about this technology.
And those fears are not unfounded. Nearly eight in ten Canadians worry AI could threaten jobs. Almost half believe it could make us mentally lazier, while over 80 percent worry about privacy risks and society becoming too dependent. Add to that widespread concerns about AI spreading misinformation during elections, being hacked or misused for fraud, and even creeping into children’s toys and classrooms. This isn’t some abstract debate. These are anxieties tied directly to our democracy, our kids, and our daily lives.
The Trudeau government once put forward Bill C-27, a framework to regulate “high-impact” AI systems. But that legislation died with the election call, and the new government under Mark Carney hasn’t committed to reviving it. That’s troubling. Every month AI grows more embedded in our lives, from the workplace to our homes, yet Ottawa is still dithering.
Yes, there’s economic opportunity in AI. Canadians aren’t blind to that many already use AI tools, with usage rising 10 percent just since the spring. We don’t want to stifle innovation. But there’s a difference between encouraging growth and turning a blind eye to risks. Regulation isn’t about slowing down AI; it’s about steering it so it doesn’t run us over.
The survey shows Canadians are pragmatic. We’re open to AI helping with chores or even tutoring kids, but we draw the line at replacing teachers or giving medical advice. We want limits. We want safeguards. Most of all, we want leaders who take our concerns seriously.
If 85 percent of Canadians were asking for action on anything else health care, climate, affordability you can bet politicians would be falling over themselves to respond. AI should be no different. The government needs to stop treating regulation as a nuisance and start seeing it for what it really is: a democratic demand.
