Canada: Canada signed Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law

On 11 February 2025, Canada signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. The convention requires AI systems to comply with fundamental principles including human dignity, non-discrimination, privacy, transparency, accountability, reliability, and safe innovation. It requires states to document AI system usage, ensure affected individuals can contest AI-driven decisions, provide complaint mechanisms, and offer legal safeguards where AI impacts rights. Risk assessments must be conducted iteratively, with preventive measures in place, and authorities may impose bans on high-risk AI applications. The convention applies to public authorities and private entities acting on their behalf, with flexibility in private-sector compliance.