Canada's Senate is Studying AI’s Impact in Canada - How to Participate

Summary 

The Canadian Senate's Social Affairs Committee is conducting a major study on AI's impact in Canada, covering data governance, ethics, safety, risks, and social impacts. AI-related organizations and researchers in Canada can participate by: (1) submitting a briefing note that will be reviewed by senators, or (2) requesting to appear as a witness. The committee is expected to move quickly. Final report is due December 31, 2026, but meetings will likely wrap up substantially earlier. Acting quickly is recommended if you'd like to participate. 

Opportunity for anyone who works with an AI safety/governance/policy organization with a presence in Canada, or are researchers in this space: The Social Affairs Committee in the Canadian Senate will soon begin a major study on AI in Canada. You can see the full order of reference (which outlines the scope of the study) below. Please note that the list in the order of reference is not necessarily exhaustive—the study could expand to include factors outside what is listed.

Why this matters: This study is a valuable opportunity to influence AI policy in Canada. While Parliamentarians are highly interested in AI, most currently have a limited understanding of its impacts. The study will inform how Senators evaluate AI-related legislation moving forward and will include concrete recommendations to the government. Your input can directly influence both the Senators' understanding and their final policy recommendations to the government.

Order of Reference

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on matters related to the impact of artificial intelligence in Canada, highlighting issues including:

(a) data governance and sovereignty; 
(b) ethics, privacy and safety; and 
(c) the risks, benefits and social impact;

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2026, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

How to Participate

There are two main ways to contribute to this study:

Option 1: Submit a Briefing Note

This is the easiest, lowest barrier entry point.

What happens with your brief:

• Briefing notes are posted publicly on the Committee's website page for the study.
• All committee members will receive your submission for their review.
• Your brief will be considered as evidence for the final report.
• The Senate will translate your brief if submitted in only one official language (it can only be published if available in both English and French). You do not need to translate it yourself, but if you can, it will get shared sooner. 

How to submit:

• Email your briefing note to the Clerk at [email protected]
  • Contact information is also available here: https://sencanada.ca/en/committees/SOCI/45-1
• Indicate that you are submitting under the order of reference for AI.
• Include a short, but substantive email message—don't just write "see brief attached"

Option 2: Request to Appear as a Witness

How to request:

• Send an email to the Clerk of the Committee at [email protected].
• Explain that you saw the recently passed order of reference and would like to appear as a witness when the study begins.
• Clearly describe the value you would bring to the study and how your organization or work connects to the scope.
• You may submit a briefing note alongside your request (not required, but may strengthen your case).

Important notes:

• Requesting to appear does not guarantee selection. Many more people request to appear than get selected.
• Representatives of established organizations have a higher chance of being selected, and individuals have the lowest chance of selection (unless prominent in the field).
• It might help you to request or submit soon. Once the study gets properly underway, there will be many more requests to appear. If you get in early, you might stand out more than if you wait and have to compete among many contenders. 

Additional Tactics (Optional)

After submitting a brief, you can contact individual committee members to:

• Request a virtual meeting.
• Offer to answer questions about your briefing note. 

Tips for contacting members:

• Personalize each request—no mass emails.
• Include a copy of your brief in the email. Note that if you submitted in one language only, and emailed shortly after, they will not have received it yet. If you want to know if your brief has been shared, check the website - if it's posted, it's been shared with the committee.
• You can CC the chair's general email on your submission to the clerk if you want. It is unlikely to help, but won't hurt.  Don't expect a response or meeting from the Chair's office directly.
• Contacting members of the committee may help but is not required and does not guarantee a witness spot.

More information on submitting briefs and appearing as a witness are available here (in both official languages): https://sencanada.ca/en/committees/forwitnesses/ 

If you'd like more guidance on participating and/or aren't sure how to proceed, please feel free to reach out to me by DM! 

(Even if you don't need any additional guidance, please let me know anyway if you submit, it would be good to have feedback on whether this post was useful)