Canadian MPs are among the heaviest users of artificial intelligence across several major English-speaking legislatures, with 20 percent of their speeches delivered in Parliament over the past year drafted with the help of the technology, a recent analysis by The Economist has found.
The study, published on Sept. 23, analyzed speeches made by parliamentarians in selected legislatures since September 2025. Researchers used Pangram, a tool that detects AI-generated content.
The Economist studied comments, speeches, and questions exceeding 100 words, with the results indicating that Canadian MPs were the second-highest users of AI, with one-fifth of their words spoken during House of Commons debates flagged as either AI-written or -assisted.
Australian MPs topped the list, with 21 percent of their speeches drafted with the help of AI, according to the analysis.
In comparison, use of AI among elected members of the U.S. House of Representatives was third on the list, at just over 15 percent. Less usage was observed in lower chambers of legislatures in several other countries including Ireland (8 percent), Scotland (7 percent), and New Zealand (4 percent).
The study noted a rise in the use of AI in the words spoken in Britain’s parliamentary debates, from near-zero in 2024 to 10 percent by this September.
Ottawa’s parliamentary rules do not ban the use of artificial intelligence. The “Rules of Decorum” in the House of Commons Procedure and Practice, 4th edition (2025), says “computer tools and equipment” may be used in the House “provided that their use does not cause disorder or interfere with the member who has the floor,” and that these tools are not used “to circumvent the rules,” namely to take photos or record videos of proceedings.
Stances
MPs are divided on whether AI should be used in Parliament, with some stating they don’t use it while others consider it acceptable as a tool for research.
Asked by reporters on Sept. 25 if the House of Commons should implement rules on parliamentarians’ use of AI to generate comments or speeches for debates, Conservative MP Sandra Cobena said “not specifically” while noting that AI is a “useful tool” and “it is expected that everybody uses it responsibly.”
“There is an element of personal responsibility in terms of how you use it. We have seen various examples of how AI could be very dangerous,” said Cobena, who is the shadow minister for the Treasury Board and the King’s Privy Council.
Speaking alongside Cobena at the unrelated press conference on Parliament Hill, Conservative MP Luc Berthold said it is not appropriate for MPs to have their speeches entirely generated by AI. He said the technology does not understand human emotions and cannot capture the way he wishes to express himself.
“Quebecers, we have a lot of emotion, and AI doesn’t have any,” he said, adding that he uses it for research purposes.
Liberal MP Ben Carr said he doesn’t use AI in any of his written statements as he wants to speak in his own voice.
“I think the human voice and our tone and our emotional sentiment is actually carried through in the written form,” he told reporters on Sept 25 while convening for the daily question period in the House of Commons. “So when you take that away from what it is that you’re trying to communicate, you lose a little piece of authenticity.”
Fellow Liberal MP Anthony Housefather said he would prefer that MPs speak “extemporaneously” at all times.
“But you know you’re going to have people that have speeches, and sometimes those speeches are already AI-generated, … but I don’t really have an issue with it.”
In a statement to The Epoch Times on Sept. 27, the Prime Minister’s Office said that “neither the Prime Minister nor members of his office use AI to generate statements or responses delivered in the House of Commons.”
A spokesperson for the New Democrats said the party is developing a policy on AI usage for its MPs’ offices. Meanwhile, the Green Party stated that its MPs are independent and that party rules don’t allow the leader or anyone else in the party to dictate how members carry out their duties.
The Bloc Québécois did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In April, MPs on the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage urged the federal government to require clear labelling of AI-generated content by “all relevant sectors,” including digital platforms, broadcasters, and cultural or public institutions, in order to promote transparency and uphold public trust.
Jennifer Cowan and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
