SRSR Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR)

45th Parliament, 1st Session

Meeting 13

Monday, November 3, 2025, 11:00 a.m. to 1:01 p.m.

Room 125-B, West Block

Webcast

Presiding

Salma Zahid, Chair (Liberal)

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Members of the Committee present

Liberal

Conservative

Bloc Québécois

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas

Acting Members present

• Lisa Hepfner for Taleeb Noormohamed (Liberal)

In attendance

Library of Parliament

• Kelsey Brennan, Analyst

• Grégoire Gayard, Analyst

Private Sector Investment in Research and Development in Canada

Witnesses

As an individual

• Dr. John Hepburn, Dean Emeritus, University of British Columbia

Axelys

• Jesse Vincent-Herscovici, Chief Executive Officer

Centre for International Governance Innovation

• Jim Balsillie, Founder and Chair

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.

• Dr. Julie Konzuk, Senior Principal

McMaster University

• Gay Yuyitung, Executive Director, McMaster Industry Liaison Office

Polytechnics Canada

• Sarah Watts-Rynard, Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(i) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the committee resumed its study of private sector investment in research and development in Canada.

Jesse Vincent-Herscovici, Gay Yuyitung and Sarah Watts-Rynard made statements and answered questions.

Motion

Tony Baldinelli moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), the Standing Committee on Science and Research undertake a study of no less than four meetings on the federal government’s approach to artificial intelligence, considering the committee’s mandate to study matters related to science and research, which includes AI technology, and that the committee invites:

• The Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation to appear for one meeting for no less than two hours;

• Federal officials from the Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada;

• A range of AI industry representatives and experts; and

• That the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “on the federal government’s approach to artificial intelligence” with the words “on innovation and scientific research concerning artificial intelligence.

That the study aim to examine:

– Recent advances in fundamental and applied research in the field of artificial intelligence;

– The needs and challenges of research centers, universities, and public institutes regarding funding, infrastructure, recruitment, and interdisciplinary collaboration;

– The role of the federal government in promoting a responsible artificial intelligence research ecosystem; And

– The mechanisms for ensuring the diffusion, valorization, and protection of Canadian scientific discoveries in artificial intelligence.

And ”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Maxime Blanchette-Joncas and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 0.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), the Standing Committee on Science and Research undertakes a study of at least four meetings on innovation and scientific research concerning artificial intelligence.

That the study aim to examine:

- Recent advances in fundamental and applied research in the field of artificial intelligence;

- The needs and challenges of research centers, universities, and public institutes regarding funding, infrastructure, recruitment, and interdisciplinary collaboration;

- The role of the federal government in promoting a responsible artificial intelligence research ecosystem; And

- The mechanisms for ensuring the diffusion, valorization, and protection of Canadian scientific discoveries in artificial intelligence.

And considering the committee’s mandate to study matters related to science and research, which includes AI technology, and that the committee invites:

- The Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation to appear for one meeting for no less than two hours;

- Federal officials from the Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada;

- A range of AI industry representatives and experts; and

- That the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

At 11:55 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:01 p.m., the meeting resumed.

John Hepburn, Jim Balsillie and Julie Konzuk made statements and answered questions.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $1,000, for the briefing session with the Chief Science Advisor of Canada, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $45,000, for the study of private sector investment in research and development in Canada, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That, regarding the study on artificial intelligence, that parties submit their list of witnesses, in order of priority, to the clerk of the committee, no later than Monday, November 10, 2025.

At 1:01 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Cédric Taquet

Clerk of the committee