Ottawa is being pushed to get tougher on AI-driven fraud. The Ontario government is calling on the federal government, headquartered right here in the capital, to introduce jail time and steep financial penalties for people who use artificial intelligence tools to scam Canadians.
What's happening
AI scams have exploded in recent years, with fraudsters using voice-cloning technology, deepfake videos, and AI-generated messages to impersonate loved ones, government officials, and even bank representatives. These scams have proven far more convincing than the clumsy phishing emails of the past, making it harder for everyday Canadians to spot the red flags before it's too late.
Ontario's push is aimed squarely at the federal government's criminal code and regulatory framework, which currently doesn't have specific provisions targeting AI-enabled fraud. The province wants Ottawa to close that gap with harsher, more targeted consequences, including potential prison sentences and significant fines for offenders caught using AI to defraud people.
Why it matters for Ottawa
As the seat of the federal government, Ottawa is where this kind of legislative change would actually take shape. Any new criminal code amendments or federal fraud regulations would be drafted, debated, and voted on right here in the nation's capital, putting local MPs and federal departments squarely in the spotlight.
Ottawa residents aren't immune to the AI scam wave either. Local police services across the region, including the Ottawa Police Service, have flagged a rise in sophisticated phone and online scams targeting seniors and vulnerable residents. Community groups and seniors' organizations in neighbourhoods across the city have been ramping up public awareness campaigns to help people recognize AI-generated voice and video scams before they hand over money or personal information.
The bigger picture
This isn't the first time provinces have pressed the federal government to modernize fraud laws for the digital age, but the specific focus on AI marks a shift in how seriously governments are taking the technology's potential for harm. Advocates argue that without updated legislation, law enforcement agencies are left trying to prosecute AI-enabled crimes using outdated tools that weren't designed for this kind of sophisticated deception.
For now, it's unclear how quickly Ottawa will act on Ontario's request, or what shape any new penalties might take. But with AI scams showing no signs of slowing down, pressure is mounting on federal lawmakers to respond.
Ottawa residents who suspect they've been targeted by an AI-related scam are encouraged to report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or their local police service.
Source: Google News Ottawa / Yahoo News Canada
