TLDR: A recent Leger poll reveals that 85% of Canadians believe governments should regulate artificial intelligence to ensure ethical and safe use, with significant concerns about job displacement, privacy, and cognitive impact.
A new Leger poll, conducted between August 22 and August 25, 2025, indicates a strong public mandate for government intervention in the regulation of artificial intelligence. The survey found that an overwhelming 85% of Canadians believe that governments should regulate AI tools to ensure their ethical and safe deployment. More than half of the respondents, 57%, expressed strong agreement with this sentiment. Jennifer McLeod Macey, senior vice-president at Leger, emphasized the clarity of this public desire, stating, “It’s very clear Canadians want government involved.”
The poll, which surveyed 1,518 people online, also highlighted significant public anxieties surrounding AI. A substantial 78% of respondents expressed concerns that AI tools pose a threat to human jobs. Furthermore, nearly half (46%) worried that the integration of AI into daily life could lead to intellectual laziness or cognitive decline. Privacy concerns were prevalent among 83% of those polled, who also worried about society becoming overly dependent on AI tools. Despite these apprehensions, with 66% finding the prospect of AI in their lives ‘scary,’ the use of AI has seen a 10% increase since March, with 57% of respondents reporting having used an AI tool.
Canadians appear divided on the overall societal impact of AI, with 34% believing it is good for society, 36% viewing it as bad, and 31% undecided. However, satisfaction among users is relatively high, with 75% rating the AI tools they have used as either excellent or good. The survey also noted that 53% had tried AI-powered search engines.
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This strong public sentiment for regulation comes amidst a shifting global focus. Canada’s Artificial Intelligence Minister, Evan Solomon, has reportedly indicated a move towards less emphasis on AI regulation, aligning with a broader international trend prioritizing AI adoption over strict safety and governance. Previously, the Trudeau government had introduced Bill C-27, an AI regulation bill targeting ‘high-impact’ systems, but it did not pass before the recent election, leaving its future uncertain. The polling industry’s professional body, the Canadian Research Insights Council, notes that online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error due to their non-random sampling methodology.
