The government of Canada has launched a two-month public consultation on artificial intelligence transparency.
Announced on Thursday, the government will be seeking public input on measures that would help people identify AI-generated content, recognize when they are interacting with AI systems and better understand how those systems work.
Artificial intelligence now plays a growing role in daily life and business operations across Canada. The government said stronger transparency standards could help Canadians make informed decisions while supporting broader adoption of the technology.
The consultation opened on Thursday and will remain available until Sept. 23. Canadians and residents can review a government discussion paper and submit feedback on proposed transparency measures.
Officials organized the consultation around five priorities. They include detecting AI-generated content, informing users when they interact with AI systems and providing clearer information about AI capabilities and limitations.
Additionally, the government wants feedback on tracking serious AI-related incidents. It also seeks ideas for monitoring the activities and interactions of increasingly autonomous AI agents.
Artificial intelligence minister Evan Solomon said public confidence will determine how quickly AI becomes part of everyday life. He said Canadians should know when AI creates or alters online content and understand both the strengths and limitations of these systems.
Solomon also said the consultation will help shape practical transparency rules that protect Canadians while encouraging innovation. He described the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen Canada’s control over its digital future.
The consultation supports Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, titled AI for All, which the federal government introduced on June 4. The strategy outlines plans to encourage responsible AI adoption while expanding economic opportunities and strengthening digital sovereignty.
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Transparency has become more important
Meanwhile, the government continues advancing related digital legislation through Parliament. Bill C-36, the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act, proposes stronger safeguards for personal information.
Additionally, Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, would introduce new responsibilities for social media platforms and some chatbot operators. The proposed legislation aims to better protect children, increase platform accountability and reduce harmful online content.
The government said transparency has become more important as AI-generated material spreads across the internet. Officials noted that synthetic images, audio, video and text have become increasingly difficult for many people to distinguish from authentic content.
Furthermore, newer AI systems now perform tasks on behalf of users instead of simply answering questions. These agentic capabilities allow software to complete actions with greater independence, creating new questions about oversight and accountability.
According to Statistics Canada, more Canadian businesses adopted AI during the second quarter of 2026 to produce goods or deliver services. The government said that trend reflects AI’s expanding role throughout the economy.
Officials said clearer information about AI systems could help consumers better evaluate products and services before relying on them. They also believe greater transparency could improve public trust as businesses introduce more AI-powered tools.
However, the government has not proposed specific regulations through the consultation. Instead, it wants public feedback before deciding what transparency measures should move forward.
The discussion paper invites comments from businesses, researchers, civil society organizations and technology developers. It also encourages participation from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities alongside individual Canadians.
Subsequently, officials will review the submissions received during the consultation period. The government said that feedback will guide future policies designed to support safe, responsible and reliable artificial intelligence across Canada.
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