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Version: 0.2 Draft 3

Namespace: x-ai-ca:

Canada AI Governance Framework​

Jurisdiction: Canada (CA) Frameworks addressed: Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making (current); Canada.ca Algorithmic Impact Assessment tool; OPC guidance on AI and privacy. Note: the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA, Bill C-27) died on prorogation of the 44th Parliament and is not in force. The 45th Parliament is now in session; AIDA has not been re-introduced as of March 2026. Registration tier: Open Review status: ai_reviewed Review date: 2026-03-20

Overview​

Canada's operative AI governance framework for the federal public sector centres on the Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making, which requires Algorithmic Impact Assessments (AIAs) for federal automated decision systems and assigns impact levels (I-IV) with corresponding requirements for transparency, human review, and recourse. AIDA is not in force and its high-impact definitions never became operative law.

Fields​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
x-ai-ca:framework_variantenumOPTIONALThe applicable Canadian AI governance framework. Permitted values: federal_adm_directive, voluntary_or_policy_guidance. Note: future_legislation should not be used until AIDA or equivalent legislation is enacted.
x-ai-ca:federal_adm_directive_applies_flagbooleanOPTIONALSet to true where the AI system is an automated decision system used by a federal government institution subject to the Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making.
x-ai-ca:adm_impact_levelenumCONDITIONALRequired when federal_adm_directive_applies_flag is true. Permitted values: level_1, level_2, level_3, level_4. Higher levels require more extensive human review, notice, and recourse mechanisms.
x-ai-ca:public_sector_scope_flagbooleanOPTIONALSet to true where the AI system is used by or for a federal government institution within the scope of the Directive.
x-ai-ca:algorithmic_impact_assessment_refstring (URI)OPTIONALReference to the completed Algorithmic Impact Assessment conducted using the Canada.ca AIA tool.
x-ai-ca:opc_ai_guidance_applied_flagbooleanOPTIONALSet to true where the data processing aspects of this AI system have been assessed against OPC guidance on AI and privacy. Note: the binding federal instrument for government use is the Treasury Board Directive; OPC guidance is advisory.

Revision notes (from ai_reviewed pass, 2026-03-20)​

  • Critical correction: AIDA (Bill C-27) died on prorogation of the 44th Parliament. aida_high_impact_flag removed — not a valid compliance field.
  • framework_variant added to distinguish operative from non-operative frameworks.
  • public_sector_scope_flag added.
  • AIDA references removed throughout.

Citations​

  • Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making
  • Canada.ca Algorithmic Impact Assessment tool
  • LEGISinfo, Bill C-27, 44th Parliament (lapsed)

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