Artificial Intelligence – Seizing Opportunities for Canada

C.D. Howe Institute and CIFAR In-Person Conference

Artificial intelligence continues to rapidly advance and evolve, with profound implications for Canada’s economy, institutions, and public policy. From enhancing productivity and delivering public services to reshaping the struggle for global competitiveness, AI presents both opportunities and challenges that demand careful, coordinated policy responses. Key questions are emerging: Is Canada leveraging its early investments in AI effectively? What regulatory and institutional frameworks are needed to support responsible development and adoption? And how can public policy ensure that the benefits of AI are broadly shared?

The C.D. Howe Institute invites you to Artificial Intelligence – Seizing Opportunities for Canada at the Institute’s Toronto offices on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 27. In partnership with CIFAR (the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research), the event will bring together leading researchers, senior policymakers, and private-sector leaders to examine Canada’s evolving AI policy landscape.

The conference will begin with a keynote lunch, to be followed by policy-focused discussions exploring AI’s role in driving economic growth, strengthening public sector performance, and supporting innovation. Sessions will also address governance and trust, privacy and safety, and the persistent barriers to adoption—including regulatory complexity, workforce capacity, and data infrastructure. Speakers will include industry and policy leaders, as well as contributors to the upcoming special issue of Canadian Public Policy on “AI, Society, and Public Policy in Canada.”

To register - please click here.

• $199 per ticket
• $999 table of 6

Agenda

Keynote Lunch

Speaker

Mark Schaan, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet – Artificial Intelligence, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada

Session 1: AI and Innovation

Moderator:

• Amisha Parikh, Vice-President, Product Management, Mastercard Canada

Speakers:

• Meyer Mechanic, Founder and CEO, Vaultie
• Stephen Tanaka, Interim President, Microsoft Canada

Session II: The Governance of AI

Moderator:

• Elissa Strome, Executive Director, Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, CIFAR

Speakers:

• Teresa Scassa, Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy, University of Ottawa
• Alexandra Dostal, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Innovation Policy Sector, at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
• Katherine Heighington, Director, AI Governance, Mastercard Canada

Session III: Barriers to Adoption

Moderator:

• Rosalie Wyonch, Associate Director of Research, C.D. Howe Institute

Speakers:

• Helen Angus, Chief Executive Officer, AMS Healthcare
• Kevin Leyton-Brown, Canada CIFAR AI Chair, and Professor of Computer Science, University of British Columbia
• Danielle Goldfarb, Senior Fellow and Lecturer, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto