The federal government has announced a $2 billion plan to invest in Canada’s artificial intelligence (AI) computing power. The plan includes building public computing infrastructure, enhancing existing computing capacity sites, and creating a fund to help small and medium-sized businesses access affordable computing power. Up to $1 billion will be used to build public computing infrastructure for the Canadian AI sector.
This infrastructure will be accessible to businesses and researchers across the country. In the spring, the government will issue a call for proposals for a partner to build the infrastructure. Another $200 million will be allocated to improve existing publicly funded compute capacity sites in Canada.
The government will also set aside $300 million to establish a fund providing affordable computing power to small and medium-sized Canadian businesses.
Ottawa’s AI funding boost
This initiative is expected to launch in the spring as well.
The remaining $700 million will be invested in projects led by industry, academia, and other stakeholders to develop commercial AI data centers. The government stated in a press release that there will be an application process for these funds, with preference given to Canadian projects that demonstrate a high return rate on public investment, sustainability, and other success markers. The government’s comprehensive plan aims to deploy the $2 billion in funding to significantly advance AI research, startups, and scaleups in Canada.
The commitments resulted from public consultations held during the summer of 2024, which included input from over 1,000 stakeholders. François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, emphasized the importance of this investment in strengthening Canada’s position in the growing AI sector. The government will share further details about the deployment of these funds as they become available.
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