The Directive provides a risk-based approach to ensuring the transparency, accountability, legality, and fairness of automated decisions that affect Canadians. The Directive is accompanied by the Algorithmic Impact Assessment, which governs the use of AI systems and including generative AI within the federal public service.
Name in original language
Canada's Directive on Automated Decision-making
Initiative overview
The Government of Canada crowdsourced research from hundreds of computer science experts and government officials to develop the white paper "Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Government of Canada", from 2016 and on 1 April 2019 published its "Directive on Automated Decision-Making". The Directive will take effect across the Federal Government (with the exception of a few exempted agencies) from April 2020.The initiative has the following objectives:To impose certain requirements for the Federal government's use of decision-making algorithms and systems.The Directive only applies to automated decision-making systems that are public-facing, such as benefits programmes that decide whether applicants meet qualification requirements. It does not yet cover internal government services or national security issues.
Name of responsible organisation (in English)
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS)
