New Canadian AI minister outlines cautious regulations

Canada is rethinking how it regulates artificial intelligence, moving away from the sweeping framework proposed under the previous government and instead crafting a new set of rules that place copyright and cultural protection at the centre.
Evan Solomon, the country’s first federal AI minister, told The Logic the government was not planning to reintroduce the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) in its original form. Instead, it will pursue a bespoke regulatory model aimed at building public trust and protecting creators – while avoiding a “Wild West” scenario in which AI development proceeds unchecked.
A key focus will be how copyright law applies to the use of creative works in AI training. The issue is already the subject of legal disputes. OpenAI is facing a lawsuit from Canadian news organisations including the Globe and Mail, CBC/Radio-Canada and The Canadian Press, who allege their content was used without permission to train ChatGPT. Music publishers have made similar claims against AI firm Anthropic, while visual artists have accused image-generation startups of repurposing their work without consent.
Solomon acknowledged the difficulty of defining what constitutes fair use in the context of AI. “Creators should be compensated,” he said, but added that where exactly to draw the line would likely fall to the courts. He drew a comparison to earlier legal battles in the music industry over sampling, which eventually led to new licensing systems.
Technology firms including Google and Canadian AI company Cohere have pushed for exemptions from copyright law to allow text and data mining without a licence, arguing this type of use does not infringe intellectual property. Cultural and creative industry groups, particularly in Quebec, strongly oppose such carve-outs, warning they could weaken creator protections.
The debate is not confined to Canada. Governments around the world are wrestling with the same question: how to regulate AI without slowing technological progress. The United States has warned against excessive rules, and earlier this year replaced the head of the U.S. Copyright Office in a move seen as part of its evolving stance on AI and copyright.
Meanwhile, Canadian unions representing actors and screenwriters have urged the country’s broadcast regulator to exclude AI-generated material from being counted as Canadian content, a designation that can carry financial benefits and affect programming quotas.
Despite delays and criticism that Canada is falling behind other jurisdictions, the government continues to support AI development through research funding, tax incentives and investments in infrastructure. Solomon said the challenge now is to act quickly enough to ensure Canada remains competitive, while taking the time to develop thoughtful oversight that protects public and creative interests.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on June 23, 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is November 29, 2024, when Canadian news publishers sued OpenAI over alleged copyright infringement. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/3e1790fcf4c9f001f1d32609c4d547af?utm_source=openai)) The report is original, with no evidence of recycled content. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. There are no discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes compared to earlier versions. The article includes updated data and addresses ongoing legal battles, justifying a higher freshness score. No similar content has appeared more than 7 days earlier. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quotes from AI Minister Evan Solomon are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Logic, a reputable Canadian news outlet. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high reliability score. However, the outlet’s specific reputation and reach are less well-known compared to major international news organisations.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The claims about Canada’s approach to AI regulation and copyright issues are plausible and align with recent developments. Evan Solomon’s appointment as Canada’s first federal AI minister was reported on May 13, 2025. ([bnnbloomberg.ca](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/politics/2025/05/13/former-journalist-evan-solomon-named-first-ever-federal-ai-minister/?utm_source=openai)) His statements about not reintroducing the previous government’s AI law and focusing on copyright issues are consistent with his recent public remarks. ([toronto.citynews.ca](https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/06/10/new-ai-minister-says-canada-wont-over-index-on-ai-regulation/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. There is no excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim. The tone is formal and appropriate for a press release.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is recent and original, with no evidence of recycled content. The quotes are unique, and the source is a reputable Canadian news outlet. The claims are plausible and align with recent developments, though the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets is a minor concern. Overall, the narrative passes the fact-checking criteria with high confidence.