On June 4, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney launched AI for All, Canada’s new national artificial intelligence strategy. The five-year strategy is designed to accelerate AI adoption, strengthen Canada’s competitiveness, and ensure AI is developed and used responsibly. The strategy targets an additional $200 billion in economic growth, the creation of 250,000 new AI-related jobs over the next five years, and an increase in AI adoption from just over 12% today to 60% by 2034. The strategy is built around three priorities: building trust, creating opportunities, and reinforcing Canadian sovereignty.
Building Trust
To strengthen confidence in AI, the government plans to address risks such as deepfakes, algorithmic price discrimination, and misuse of personal information, as well as introduce an online safety regime for social media and chatbot users, and expand the Canadian AI Safety Institute’s ability to evaluate AI models.
Creating Opportunities
AI for All includes several initiatives intended to increase AI adoption and develop Canada’s workforce.
- A National AI Literacy Initiative offering accessible AI training.
- AI education for 1M post-secondary students and training for more than 3,000 educators.
- Trusted AI assistants for post-secondary students.
- Up to 90,000 AI-related jobs and work placement opportunities for young Canadians.
- Training and upskilling opportunities for workers throughout their careers.
The strategy also aims to help SMEs adopt AI to improve productivity and support innovation in sectors including health, energy, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, robotics, and government services.
Reinforcing Canadian Sovereignty
To strengthen Canada’s AI ecosystem, the strategy includes investments in sovereign AI infrastructure, including a public AI supercomputer and expanded Canadian compute and cloud capacity. The government also plans to improve access to capital, government procurement opportunities, commercialization resources, and intellectual property protections for Canadian AI companies, while expanding Canada’s AI talent base through investments in the CIFAR AI Chairs program and accelerated entry pathways under the Global Talent Stream.
What This Means
For Canadian SMEs, AI for All represents more than a long-term policy announcement. Although many initiatives will be introduced over the next five years, businesses can already access funding to evaluate, adopt, commercialize, and scale AI technologies. Companies that begin building AI capabilities today will be better positioned to capitalize on future federal initiative as additional programs are launched.
Below are several funding programs currently available to help Canadian businesses adopt, commercialize, or develop AI technologies:
NGen – Industrial AI Readiness Program
The Industrial AI Readiness Program, delivered by NGen in partnership with NRC-IRAP, reimburses eligible Canadian manufacturers up to $15,000 for professional fees associated with Industrial AI readiness evaluations and AI implementation plans to improve productivity, health and safety, and environmental performance. Eligible applicants are NRC-IRAP-eligible manufacturers with <500 employees. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted, and final project reports must be submitted by the end of December 2026.
Innovative Solutions Canada – AI-Assisted Building Permit Compliance Checking Challenge
Innovative Solutions Canada is offering Phase 2 grants of up to $500,000 CAD over 18 months to support eligible Canadian SMEs developing AI-assisted solutions for automated compliance checking of building permit applications. Solutions must evaluate 2D drawings (PDF/CAD) and Building Information Models (BIM) against digitalized Canadian construction codes while providing traceable, human-in-the-loop compliance evaluations. Eligible applicants must be for-profit Canadian-incorporated SMEs with <500 employees and R&D activities conducted in Canada. Proposed solutions must be at TRL 5–9. Applications close August 4, 2026.
Protein Industries Canada – Artificial Intelligence Program
Protein Industries Canada’s Artificial Intelligence Program is investing $30 million through March 31, 2028 to support collaborative projects that apply AI to advance Canada’s plant-based food, feed, and ingredients ecosystem. Eligible projects must involve a consortium, including at least one Protein Industries Canada member and one SME, and demonstrate commercialization potential. The program supports AI-driven innovation in areas such as product development, process optimization, sustainability, and consumer insights. Protein Industries Canada can reimburse up to 45% of eligible project costs for approved projects. Applications are open and being accepted on a continuous basis.
Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative
AI for All includes a $500 million expansion of the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII). delivered through the 7 regional development agencies. While each agency administers the program differently all support adoption, commercialization, and productivity improvements within their respective regions. See
Scientific Research & Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentives
Businesses developing new AI-enabled products, algorithms, manufacturing proceses, or software many also qualify for Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives. Unlike many grant programs, SR&ED supports eligible R&D expenditures after they have been incurred and can often complement other funding programs.
In Summary
Canada’s AI for All strategy signals a significant long-term commitment to accelerating AI adoption across the Canadian economy. While many initiatives are still being rolled out, businesses do not need to wait. Existing funding programs can already help reduce the cost of adopting AI, commercializing new technologies, and building internal capabilities. Companies that begin planning now will be well positioned as additional opportunities emerge over the coming years.
Not sure which funding programs fit your project? Contact NorthBridge to discuss your AI strategy and funding options.
