Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Technology MPP Chris Glover will table a motion calling on the Ford government to create a grant program for artificial intelligence (AI) governance and safety research at Ontario's public colleges and universities, amid growing concern that 1.1 million Canadian public sector jobs could be threatened without strong regulation and government oversight.
TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
WHEREAS artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing faster than public policy and reshaping Ontario’s economy, democracy, and daily
life; and
WHEREAS nearly 15% of Ontario jobs are at high risk of automation and another 30% face significant disruption, leaving over 3
million workers exposed; and
WHEREAS cybersecurity risks are increasing, with 80% of Canadian organizations reporting AI-related attacks costing on average
over $6 million; and
WHEREAS AI-driven disinformation and bot networks have targeted elections worldwide, including in Canada, undermining
democratic integrity; and
WHEREAS most AI research is driven by corporate profit, leaving public safety, democracy, and worker protections underaddressed; and
WHEREAS Ontario’s public colleges and universities have world-class expertise that should be supported to develop policies
ensuring AI is safe, beneficial, and democratically governed.
THEREFORE we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:
Create a grant program for researchers at Ontario’s public colleges and universities to investigate and develop policy proposals for
ensuring AI is safe and beneficial for all as its capabilities are scaled beyond human levels, with a particular focus on job
displacement, democratic integrity, and loss of control risks.