‘This initiative is about building that capacity here in Canada so our researchers, institutions and innovators can move faster’
Canada has launched a national initiative to build large‑scale artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputing capacity that is expected to accelerate AI adoption across sectors.
The federal government has opened a competitive call for applications under the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program, inviting eligible organisations to propose large‑scale, AI‑optimised high‑performance computing systems based in Canada. The program is designed to ensure Canadian researchers, innovators and institutions have the computing power they need “to innovate, compete and lead,” according to the government.
“Canada is already at the forefront of artificial intelligence. What we need now is access to large-scale computing power,” said Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “This initiative is about building that capacity here in Canada so our researchers, institutions and innovators can move faster, go further and turn leading ideas into real-world impact.”
Proponents selected through the process will be responsible for designing, building, operating and maintaining Canadian‑owned infrastructure that can support advanced AI workloads. The systems are expected to form “a core part of Canada’s digital backbone,” enabling breakthroughs “in areas like health care, energy, advanced manufacturing and scientific discovery,” Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) said.
Interested applicants can access the program guide, review eligibility criteria and learn how to submit an application via the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program web page. The call follows an earlier request for statements of interest that closed in 2025 and is aimed at “eligible organizations ready to help strengthen Canada’s technological sovereignty,” according to the department.
In Ontario, Microsoft’s multi‑billion‑dollar expansion of its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure across Ontario is expected to create 250 new permanent jobs and support 1,000 construction roles – sharpening competition for AI and data skills across the province.
National AI supercomputing initiative
Ottawa’s call for applications is part of a broader national effort to develop one of the world’s most advanced AI supercomputing systems in Canada. The initiative is a central component of the Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy and builds on what the federal government has described as “historic investments” in AI capacity outlined in Budget 2024 and Budget 2025.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada said the program will support “the development of large-scale, Canadian-based compute infrastructure to advance AI research and innovation, while safeguarding Canada’s national interests.” The department has framed the investment as “transformational,” positioning the new infrastructure as a “cornerstone of the country’s digital ecosystem” that will enable researchers and industry to develop “next-generation AI solutions.”
The Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy itself is structured around three pillars: mobilising private sector investment, building public supercomputing infrastructure and establishing an AI Compute Access Fund. ISED said these measures are intended “to expand domestic compute capacity, support Canada’s AI ecosystem, drive economic growth and safeguard Canadian data and intellectual property.”
In 2023, the federal government released preliminary guidance to federal institutions on their use of generative AI tools for work. The Directive on Automated Decision-Making applies to automated systems, including those that rely on AI, used to influence or make administrative decisions.
