AI Gets Tagged Embarrassing Due To Opposition Delays

Canada’s industry minister says ongoing challenges to adopt an artificial intelligence or AI framework do not look good for the country. The law may never even see the light of day. This can occur especially if Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority government falls sooner than expected.

The government tabled an act that effectively aims to regulate AI about two years ago. The legislation known as Bill C-27 is in limbo. This was after opposition parties started a filibuster to delay its adoption. This was stated according to the minister. 

“It’s a bit embarrassing,” said Francois-Philippe Champagne, as Canada has world-class leaders in AI research. He added that inspite of it, it was yet to unable to adopt a regulatory framework because of political wrangling. 

Champagne was seen speaking alongside European Union’s antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager at an event in Montreal on Wednesday. In March, the European Parliament passed the world’s first AI Act, which will come into full force in 2027.

What More Has Been Said on AI?

“If we want to move from fear to opportunity, you need to build trust,” said Champagne over the looming concerns regarding AI’s potential to cause harm to society. “The way to build trust is through regulation.”

The core of the proposed Canadian framework is focused on the use of high-impact AI systems. This includes such as the screening systems dedicated to employment or systems. All of this can influence human behavior at scale, which could at a large scale, sometimes produce discriminatory outcomes or impact people’s safety. 

Plus, businesses would be required to implement measures to mitigate such risks. Further, many such non-compliance could result in monetary penalties, prosecution of regulatory offenses and criminal offenses.

The bill has been stuck since April 2023 in a parliamentary committee. This is where lawmakers have held extensive hearings. The problem is that the AI framework is only one part of Bill C-27, which also includes changes to consumer privacy protection and the creation of a new personal information and data protection tribunal. Furthermore, over a hundred amendments have been submitted, slowing down the whole process.

What has the Opposition Said on AI?

The opposition Conservatives have effectively accused the Liberal government of seeking to censor the internet with the law. In an emailed statement, the deputy leader Melissa Lantsman said the Liberals have no one to blame for the delay but themselves. 

“The Liberals are playing games, delaying their own broken draconian bill and blaming others for taking the needed time to fix it,” she said. “Common Sense Conservatives will continue to stand up for Canadians’ privacy rights.”

Some had already speculated the legislation may not pass before a scheduled October 2025 election. However, a recent decision by the New Democratic Party to pull out of a power-sharing deal with Trudeau’s Liberals means a national vote will likely happen sooner. This adds on to more urgency.

What do the Artificial Intelligence Pioneer Say In This Matter?

AI pioneer and scientific director of Mila-Quebec AI Institute Yoshua Bengio said in an emailed statement that Canadian politicians must heavily “grasp the urgent need for an adaptive national regulatory framework as soon as possible.”

Plus, giant technology firms such as Amazon has engaged in intense back-door lobbying against the bill. This was according to what the people were familiar with the matter. Especially, those of who asked not to be named to discuss private conversations. 

The company pointed out by email that it has testified publicly on the bill. Plus, its meetings with officials are recorded on the lobbyist registry.

Amazon Web Services’ director of global artificial intelligence and Canada public policy, Nicole Foster, told a parliamentary committee meeting earlier this year the definition of high-impact was “still too ambiguous.” 

“Trying to regulate all applications with the same approach is very impractical and can inadvertently stifle innovation,” she said. 

Champagne’s comments come as Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a working lunch on artificial intelligence in Montreal on Thursday, potentially casting a brighter international spotlight on the sluggish pace of Canada’s legislation.

Despite political adversity and protest from big technology companies. EU’s representative Vestager said in an interview that she hopes Canada will pass a bill soon. This will help to start building a worldwide network “that will make us all so much stronger.”

Vestager added that these AI frameworks should not aim to have big tech on board. This is because when big tech ask for regulation. The fact is, it is never the regulation that people come up with on high spaces.