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Relevant for those tracking Canadian AI legislation; AIDA was introduced alongside Canada's Bill C-27 and represents one of the first national-level AI regulatory frameworks in North America, though its passage has faced delays and scrutiny.

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Summary

This article from the Schwartz Reisman Institute discusses the future of Canada's Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), examining its legislative progress, key provisions, and implications for AI governance in Canada. It provides analysis of how AIDA fits into the broader landscape of international AI regulation efforts.

Key Points

•AIDA (Artificial Intelligence and Data Act) is Canada's primary legislative attempt to regulate high-impact AI systems
•The article examines the uncertain legislative future of AIDA and potential revisions or alternatives
•Discusses how AIDA compares to other international regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act
•Highlights key stakeholder concerns around definitions of 'high-impact' AI and accountability mechanisms
•Considers the role of institutions like the Schwartz Reisman Institute in shaping Canadian AI policy

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# What’s Next After AIDA?

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[Solutions](https://srinstitute.utoronto.ca/news/category/Solutions)

Feb 11, 2025

By [Maggie Arai](https://srinstitute.utoronto.ca/news?author=634d6d920fa42b5967340ddb)

![A.I. generated image of a monochromatic maze.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ef0b24bc96ec4739e7275d3/907ea377-f361-4d08-a648-7d2c6ae357ce/whats-next-for-aida-sri.jpg)

_Canada’s first attempt at comprehensive AI regulation, Bill C-27 – which introduced the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) – was halted in January 2025. However, this doesn’t mean AI governance is stalled. Provinces like Ontario are advancing their own AI regulations, such as Bill 194, and federal Treasury Board instruments (along with sector-specific bodies) continue to shape the landscape._

* * *

## Introduction

Canada’s first attempt at comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) regulation halted on January 6, 2025 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation and prorogation of Parliament caused [Bill C-27](https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-27) to die on the order paper. The bill, which introduced the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), had been making its way through Parliament since June 2022, facing significant criticism even after the government attempted to assuage concerns by releasing [proposed amendments](https://www.ourcommons.ca/content/Committee/441/INDU/WebDoc/WD12751351/12751351/MinisterOfInnovationScienceAndIndustry-2023-11-28-Combined-e.pdf) in late 2023.

Canada has taken a proactive approach to the safe governance of AI, balancing innovation with ethical considerations and risk mitigation. It was the first country to implement a [national AI strategy](https://cifar.ca/ai/) in 2017, among the earliest to implement AI-specific regulations for government use with its 2019 [Directive on Automated Decision-Making](https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32592), a founding member of the [Global Partnership on AI](https://gpai.ai/) (GPAI) in 2020, and most recently launched its [AI Safety Institute](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/canadian-artificial-intelligence-safety-institute) (CAISI) in November of 2024. AIDA was just one of many initiatives the country has taken over the past several years; however, it was among the most significant of its efforts to ensure the safe and responsible use of AI within its borders.

As such, in the wake of AIDA’s death and with a federal election on the horizon, a key question has emerged: what’s next for Canada after AIDA?

## Looking beyond federal legislation

Although AIDA’s failure and the pending federal election have introduced uncertainties about Canadian AI regulation, it is important to note that federal legislation is only one piece (albeit an important one) of the AI governance landscape. AI governance has not ground to an abrupt halt with the death of AIDA. In fact, given that 

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