Ontario Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Federal AI Strategy, Calls for Strong Accountability

(TORONTO — June 4, 2026) — The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) welcomes the federal government’s new artificial intelligence strategy, AI for All, as an important step toward strengthening Canada’s productivity, competitiveness, and inclusive, long-term economic growth.

The OCC welcomes key elements such as support for small and medium-sized businesses to adopt AI, investments in domestic computing capacity, expanded access to growth capital, and a focus on deploying AI in strategic sectors such as health care, energy, agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing.

“Canada’s new strategy reflects what businesses have been calling for: a comprehensive commitment to AI adoption, infrastructure, and commercialization – and a recognition that data sovereignty is essential to national competitiveness,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “But while the potential of AI is high, business and government leaders must recognize that trust in its implementation is low. Canada can’t succeed in AI unless Canadians are equipped to succeed by using it.”

Canada is home to a world-class AI ecosystem, with leading researchers, innovative companies, and growing adoption in manufacturing, health care, finance, transportation and many other sectors. Ensuring all businesses can adopt AI confidently and effectively will be critical to translating Canada’s research leadership into broad-based economic growth.

“Canada has the talent, the research capacity, and a credible policy framework for AI success,” Tisch added. “Now, businesses need support to adopt it, workers need the skills to adapt to it, and governments need to demonstrate clear accountability for results.”

As implementation begins, the OCC encourages the federal government to maintain a strong focus on workforce development, responsible governance, and measurable commercialization outcomes to ensure the strategy delivers lasting economic benefits.

The OCC looks forward to working with its members and governments to help ensure the strategy delivers long-term benefits for Canadian businesses, workers, and communities.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC convenes, mobilizes, and empowers business and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Carmona
Director of Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: 647 234 0255