The directive was amended following the fourth review of this instrument, based on feedback received from experts within and outside the federal government.
Key improvements were made to increase the transparency of systems and their impacts, strengthen senior-level accountability, enhance testing and monitoring, and increase consistency within the policy suite.
The Algorithmic Impact Assessment tool was updated to support changes to the directive. Key changes to the tool include adding more detailed questions about the systems, algorithms and impacts, and providing more space to explain system impacts and mitigations.
The Strategy outlines how the Government of Canada can deliver world-class services to its clients, protect our people and interests, achieve a more innovative and efficient workplace, and accelerate scientific discovery for the benefit of all.
Publication of the What We Heard Report on the Consultations on the AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service (January 30, 2025)
The report summarizes what we heard during extensive consultations and will help advance the government’s digital transformation toward modern, integrated systems that respond to the needs of Canadians.
Provides guidance to departments to help ensure compliance with the Directive on Automated Decision-Making (subsection 6.3.5) and supports experts undertaking a peer review
Defines a peer review process, proposes roles and responsibilities and identifies best practices to improve the consistency and robustness of reviews
Complements the Guide on the Use of Generative AI, offering concise best practices and do’s and don’ts for the use of generative AI tools by public servants in their daily work
Artificial intelligence (AI) has enormous potential to further improve productivity, efficiency and the quality of services the federal government provides to Canadians. To ensure that AI is adopted responsibly, inclusively, and safely, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat is developing an AI strategy for the Government of Canada
The second version of the guide incorporates feedback from targeted external stakeholder engagement (academics, bargaining agents and industry) and addresses questions from federal institutions
Key changes include enhanced definitions for the FASTER principles, new sections on responsibilities for federal institutions and documentation requirements, and the addition of new frequently asked questions
Endorsement of the updated Digital Nations Shared Approach to the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Government (November 13, 2023)
The Shared Approach was initially developed in 2018 by member countries including Canada
The updated Shared Approach re-confirms the collective commitment to develop and implement approaches to AI governance in the public sector that reflect the core principles of transparency, accountability, and procedural fairness
Provides guidance to federal institutions in their use of generative AI
Includes an overview of generative AI, identifies limitations and concerns about its use, puts forward “FASTER” principles for its responsible use, and includes policy considerations and best practices
The Directive was amended following the third review of the instrument
Key changes include an expanded scope and new measures for explanation, bias testing, data governance, GBA+, and peer review
The Algorithmic Impact Assessment was updated to support changes to the directive. This includes new questions concerning the reasons for automation and impacts on persons with disabilities
Stakeholder engagement on the third review of the Directive on Automated Decision-Making (April – November, 2022)
Engagement with over 30 stakeholder groups, including in federal institutions, universities, civil society organizations, governments in other jurisdictions, and international organizations
Engagement included roundtables with the GC Advisory Council on AI, Canadian Human Rights Commission, Digital Governance Council, bargaining agents, networks for equity-seeking federal employees, and representatives from relevant GC functional communities
