ABLawg

Submission on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

On May 29, 2026

Matter Commented On: Study on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in the information and communication technology sector, Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

PDF Version: Submission on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

Author’s Note:

In April I had the opportunity to testify before the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in the information and communication technology sector.

The focus of the Committee study is broadly on the use of AI in the communications sector, the implications of AI to intellectual property, and risks related to AI-generated deepfakes. With my time I focused on two things: (1) the building blocks of a healthy, resilient AI ecosystem for Canada and (2) the unique threats posed by deepfakes.

The Senate Committee also requested written submissions for May 1st and mine deviates slightly from my oral testimony. I wanted to step back from the questions asked during the Committee meeting and offer a big-picture view of the opportunities and threats of AI and where law can add value. I recently published a co-edited volume with Florian Martin-Bariteau, Security of Self: A Human-Centric Approach to Cybersecurity, which has framed the lens through which I am thinking about AI governance, which I am continuing to develop in my research.

Here is the full version of my written submission, and here is a link to the transcript and video of Committee meeting, which also includes excellent contributions of colleagues Brent Arnold, representing our board, the Canadian Internet Society, and Matt Hatfield, executive director of OpenMedia.

This post may be cited as: Emily Laidlaw, “Submission on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications” (29 May 2026), online: ABlawg, http://ablawg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Blog_EL_ArtificialIntelligence_Submission.pdf

To subscribe to ABlawg by email or RSS feed, please go to http://ablawg.ca

Bitcoin Real Property Law

By Nigel Bankes

On May 26, 2026

In Oil & Gas, Property

By: Nigel Bankes

Decision Commented On: Flowers v Persist Oil and Gas Inc, 2026 ABCA 172 (CanLII)

PDF Version: Bitcoin Real Property Law

In this decision, Alberta’s Court of Appeal has confirmed Justice Christopher Rickard’s decision of the Court of King’s Bench on this matter. 2025 ABKB 142 (CanLII). Both levels of court concluded that neither a surface lease nor a right of entry order provide the operator with the necessary proprietary authorization to run a bitcoin mining operation on the leased lands using natural gas from a compressor located on the lands and licensed by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). I refer readers to my ABlawg post on Justice Rickard’s decision for a more detailed examination of the background as well as two related decisions of Alberta’s Land and Property Rights Tribunal.

Can a Landlord Double Your Rent?

By Susan Emam

On May 25, 2026

In Landlord/Tenant, Law Reform, Residential Tenancies Dispute Resolution Service

By: Susan Emam

Report Commented On: Alberta Law Reform Institute, Residential Tenancies Act: Before and During a Tenancy, Issue Paper 7

PDF Version: Can a Landlord Double Your Rent?

Imagine that you are currently a tenant who has been renting an apartment for $825 per month. You have been paying the same monthly rent since 2016. One day, your landlord serves you with a three-month notice of rent increase, which raises your rent to $1,650. Facing a 100% increase in rent, you believe that you are being economically evicted because you are unable to pay the rent. These are the facts of Re 24012190, 2024 ABRTDRS 20 (CanLII), a 2024 decision of the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS), a tribunal that can resolve certain kinds of disputes between landlords and tenants.

When is a Citizen Initiative Petition a Dead Parrot?

By Nigel Bankes

On May 21, 2026

In Aboriginal, Constitutional, Treaty Rights

By: Nigel Bankes

Decisions Commented On: Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation v Alberta (Chief Electoral Officer), 2026 ABKB 375 (CanLII) and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation v Alberta (Chief Electoral Officer), 2026 ABKB 278 (CanLII).

PDF Version: When is a Citizen Initiative Petition a Dead Parrot?

In the main decision that is the subject of this post, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation v Alberta (Chief Electoral Officer), 2026 ABKB 375 (CanLII) (ACFN) Justice Shaina Leonard of the Court of King’s Bench quashed the decision of Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to issue an initiative petition to Mr. Mitch Sylvestre (the Proponent) under the Citizen Initiative Act, SA 2021, c C-13.2 (the CIA) on January 2, 2026. Sylvestre’s petition was a constitutional referendum proposal within the meaning of the CIA. The petition aimed to gather affirmative signatures for the following question: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?”

Rescous and Pound-Breach: Re-Discovering Two Archaic Statutory Torts in Alberta

By Joe Sellman

On May 14, 2026

In Landlord/Tenant, Law Reform, Torts

By: Joe Sellman

Decisions Commented On: Alberta Law Reform Institute, Residential Tenancies: Distress for Rent, Final Report 122; Distress for Rent Act (England), 1689 2 Will & Mar, c 5

PDF Version: Rescous and Pound-Breach: Re-Discovering Two Archaic Statutory Torts in Alberta

If, upon hearing “pound-breach”, your mind conjures images of a dog escape reminiscent of The Great Escape or Chicken Run, you are not alone and you’re not entirely wrong.