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Minister Solomon highlights Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

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MONTRÉAL, June 5, 2026 /CNW/ – Countries around the world are adapting to a new era of innovation as emerging technologies reshape economies, industries and labour markets. Artificial intelligence is a key driver of this transformation, opening new opportunities to boost productivity, strengthen competitiveness and improve how people work and access services.

Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, highlighted the launch of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on June 4.

At its core, AI for All reflects our commitment to making artificial intelligence an engine of opportunity for Canadians in every region. This strategy focuses on what AI can do for Canadians in their daily lives–better health care, stronger businesses, safer communities and improved public services–as well as on the scale-up of Canadian companies and greater Canadian control over our economic future.

Canada is already recognized globally for its excellence in AI research and innovation. Our three national AI institutes–Mila, Amii and the Vector Institute–have built a world-class reputation for research excellence and real-world impact, helping to position Canada at the forefront of the AI revolution.

By expanding access and fostering inclusive innovation, the government can help AI uplift workers, empower businesses and strengthen communities so the benefits of this transformation are shared widely, not concentrated among a few. The central idea of the strategy is clear: AI should be designed to serve Canadians by addressing their needs and priorities.

Canadians should be able to feel confident that AI is advancing safely and transparently and in ways that reflect Canada’s values. Guided by extensive consultations with workers, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, industry voices and community leaders, Canada’s AI for All strategy is anchored in three fundamental priorities: building public trust, opening new opportunities and affirming Canadian sovereignty. Trust makes adoption possible; opportunity and sovereignty ensure that adoption creates benefits for Canadians now and into the future.

To bring this vision to life, the Government of Canada’s AI for All strategy is structured around six key pillars, each representing a core focus that will guide Canada’s approach to artificial intelligence:

Pillar 1 – Protecting Canadians and safeguarding our democracy
AI will only deliver on its promise if Canadians trust it. The Government of Canada will modernize privacy and online safety laws, strengthen national AI safety capabilities, and enhance the security of government systems.Pillar 2 – Empowering Canadians
AI for All means providing Canadians with the opportunity to understand, use and benefit from artificial intelligence. The Government of Canada will expand access to AI education and training, promote Canadian voices and cultures, and prepare workers for high-quality jobs.Pillar 3 – Powering shared prosperity
The gains of artificial intelligence will be realized by applying it across the Canadian economy and developing industrial AI technologies that support workers. Through the AI for All strategy, the Government of Canada will drive AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises and transform public services to deliver improved outcomes for Canadians.Pillar 4 – Building a foundation for Canadian sovereign AI
Canada’s competitive advantage depends on our ability to build and maintain leading-edge AI infrastructure and talent domestically. Through AI for All, the Government of Canada will support sovereign AI compute infrastructure and research and expand Canada’s pool of world-class talent.Pillar 5 – Scaling Canadian champions
The AI for All strategy aims to scale leading Canadian AI companies by unlocking growth capital and positioning the Government of Canada as a strategic anchor customer.Pillar 6 – Building trusted partnerships and global alliances
The Government of Canada will collaborate with trusted partners to align standards, co-invest in innovation and help Canadian companies access global markets, while shaping an AI ecosystem anchored in democratic values.

AI for All aims to ensure that artificial intelligence serves the interests of all Canadians, today and for generations to come. The success of AI for All depends on ongoing collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, industry and the public so that every voice helps shape Canada’s AI future.

AI for All means every Canadian, in every region and at every stage of life, benefits from better services, stronger businesses and new opportunities. By focusing on trust, opportunity and sovereignty, we can help ensure that AI can strengthen Canada’s values, institutions and quality of life for all.

Quote

“Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives for the better, including how we all work and learn and how governments deliver services and grow the economy. With AI for All, we are making sure that the benefits of this technology are accessible to everyone, in every region of Canada. By building trust, supporting Canadian talent and upholding our values, we are positioning Canada as a global leader in responsible and inclusive AI. This is about seizing new opportunities and ensuring no one is left behind as we shape a stronger, more innovative future for all Canadians.”
– The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Quick facts

On June 4, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All.The AI for All strategy makes security and safety paramount in AI development and use, including by modernizing privacy and online safety laws, strengthening national AI safety capabilities, and enhancing government system security.The strategy is built on six pillars that create bold opportunities for Canadians and protect our national interests, anchored firmly in the principles of trust, opportunity and sovereignty.Canada’s three national AI institutes–Mila, Amii and the Vector Institute–have built a global reputation for research excellence and real-world relevance.AI for All will expand access to AI education and training, promote Canadian voices and cultures, and prepare Canadian workers for high-quality employment opportunities.The strategy aims to drive adoption of artificial intelligence among small and medium–sized enterprises, support sovereign AI infrastructure and research, and grow Canada’s pool of world–class talent.The Government of Canada will collaborate with trusted partners to align standards, co-invest in innovation and help Canadian companies access global markets, shaping an AI ecosystem anchored in democratic values.

Associated links

Prime Minister Carney launches AI for All: Canada’s national artificial intelligence strategyEngagements on Canada’s next AI strategyG7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers’ Meeting 2025

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South Coast AQMD Approves Largest-Ever Award for Zero-Emission Switcher Locomotives

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$250 million investment for clean technologies, will reduce 600 tons of emissions each year

DIAMOND BAR, Calif., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (South Coast AQMD) Governing Board approved nearly $250 million in funding through the INVEST CLEAN* program that will fund zero-emission goods movement projects in Southern California and Mojave Desert. The locomotive awards represent the largest funding commitment ever made for zero-emission switcher locomotives. These locomotive projects will produce the largest number of battery-electric switcher locomotives ever in the United States and the San Pedro Bay ports will have the largest number of battery electric switcher locomotives of any port.

“This is a landmark investment that demonstrates our commitment towards advancing a cleaner goods movement sector,” said Michael Cacciotti, South Coast AQMD Governing Board Chair. “In addition to accelerating the transition to zero-emission technologies, these projects will significantly improve air quality in communities and create jobs throughout the United States.”

The funding will support the deployment of at least 31 battery-electric switcher locomotives, 247 heavy duty truck charging connections, and 67 zero-emission cargo handling equipment across Southern California. The approved projects are expected to achieve significant annual emissions reductions, including approximately:

586 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx)14 tons of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)15 tons of diesel particulate matter (DPM)

In addition to reducing emissions locally, the projects are expected to support manufacturing, construction, and technology jobs throughout the United States as companies build and deploy next-generation clean transportation equipment and infrastructure.

APPROVED PROJECTS

Battery-Electric Switcher Locomotives

$190.8 million$92.6 million – Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim$98.2 million – Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario31 battery-electric locomotives, supporting charging and infrastructure

Battery Electric Cargo Handling Equipment

$20.6 million$11 million – Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim$9.6 million – Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario62 yard trucks and 5 top handlers

Charging Infrastructure** Deployment

$38.4 million$10.8 million – Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim$27.6 million – Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario23 charging sites and 247 charging connections

The University of California, Irvine will track and quantify emissions reductions to ensure accountability and measure long-term environmental benefits.

BACKGROUND

INVEST CLEAN aims to modernize Southern California’s goods movement system by advancing zero-emission technologies across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. The initiative is expected to create more than 44,000 green jobs nationwide and significantly reduce smog-forming and diesel pollution—supporting cleaner air and healthier communities.

For more information about the awarded projects, visit Execute Contracts to Implement INVEST CLEAN Program. For additional details about the program, please visit www.investclean.org.

South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. For news, air quality alerts, event updates and more, please visit us at www.aqmd.gov, download our award-winning app, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram.

*This project has been funded wholly or in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement #5E97T15501 to South Coast Air Quality Management District. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document, as well as any images, video, text, or other content created by generative artificial intelligence tools, nor does any such content necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

**Recommended awards is a subset of charging infrastructure applications, an additional awards will be made for the category once the remaining applications are deemed complete

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/south-coast-aqmd-approves-largest-ever-award-for-zero-emission-switcher-locomotives-302792996.html

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GMI Cloud and Magna AI Partner to Expand Global Sovereign AI Infrastructure

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Initial projects are planned in Malaysia, Belgium, and Romania, with additional locations under development

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GMI Cloud, a leader in AI-native GPU cloud infrastructure, today announced a strategic partnership with Magna AI Inc. to jointly architect, deploy and scale a global network of sovereign AI Factories (AIFs), with the initial wave of projects architected around NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72™. Magna AI, Inc. is a new sovereign AI company born from a partnership between Trend Micro™ and Wistron Digital Technology Holding Company (WDH). Collaborating with NVIDIA, the companies will build and deploy sovereign AI infrastructure, including AI factories, GPU cloud services, and AI security solutions, across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

With confirmed projects breaking ground in Malaysia, Belgium, and Romania later this year, both companies have initiated joint planning activities covering site evaluation, infrastructure architecture, sovereign compliance requirements, and phased deployment models. These regions are experiencing rapidly growing demand for sovereign AI infrastructure, driven by increasing national investment in AI independence, regional digital transformation, and the need for secure, high-performance AI computing capacity. Other locations are currently being finalized in Africa and the Middle East.

The global shift towards sovereign AI is driven by a consensus that dedicated AI computing power is a fundamental pillar of national prosperity. According to McKinsey research, global AI spending could reach $1.3 trillion to $1.5 trillion by 2030. Governments are moving decisively to mitigate the strategic risks of depending on foreign-controlled platforms, data jurisdiction conflicts, and volatile supply chains.

“A nation’s prosperity and security are at risk if it cannot control its own digital destiny. Simply put, sovereign AI is a non-negotiable component of modern statecraft,” said Alex Yeh, CEO of GMI Cloud. “GMI Cloud’s mission is to be the trusted partner for governments in architecting, building, and operating this critical infrastructure. We provide the foundation for them to protect and secure their competitive future.”

The Magna AI and GMI Cloud partnership offers a unique “AI transformation factory” model, providing a comprehensive, secure, and vertically integrated solution. The partnership is distinguished by its unique combination of strengths:

Cybersecurity Leadership: With Trend Micro’s over 37 years of cybersecurity experience, the AI Factories will be built on a world-class security foundation designed to protect sensitive national data and mission-critical AI workloads.Hardware and Integration Expertise: WDH’s extensive experience in hardware manufacturing and systems integration ensures the efficient and scalable production of these complex AI facilities.Proven AI-Native Infrastructure: GMI Cloud brings proven experience in designing and operating AI-native GPU cloud infrastructure optimized for large-scale inference, sovereign AI deployments, and next-generation AI factories.Full-Stack AI Platform: Magna AI brings end-to-end AI transformation, integrating infrastructure, applications, and services into a unified, scalable model for sovereign AI adoption, supporting the next wave of inference-scale AI workloads, agentic AI systems, and national AI platforms requiring secure, high-performance sovereign infrastructure.

“Sovereign AI is becoming a national imperative and the foundation of a nation’s future competitiveness,” said Dr. Moataz Binali, CEO of Magna AI. “Through this partnership,we are supporting sovereign AI initiatives across markets including  Malaysia, Belgium, and Romania, enabling nations to build, control, and scale their own intelligence infrastructure with confidence. By combining GMI Cloud’s AI-native platforms with Magna AI’s sovereign value-chain AI infrastructure, we are enabling nations to move faster from strategy to execution by deploying AI systems that are secure, resilient, and built for long-term economic and technological independence.”

“With over 37 years of cybersecurity expertise, Trend Micro™ brings deep experience to this collaboration, helping secure these AI Factories from the ground up, protect critical data and AI workloads, and reduce risk exposure through advanced threat intelligence. This enables nations to scale AI with control, regulatory compliance, and long-term resilience,” said Oscar Chang, Executive Vice President Research & Development at Trend Micro™.

Commenting on the strategic partnership, 25-year industry veteran from Samp and Acer Robert Hwang, Chairman of WDH, said, “We are proud to partner with GMI Cloud and Magna AI to build a robust AI computing ecosystem that empowers startups and end-users across Asia. This collaboration further solidifies our long-term strategic positioning in the AI infrastructure landscape.”

About Magna AI
Magna AI is a global AI transformation company operating across the full integrated value chain, architecting the future of sovereign intelligence. Through a unified operating model spanning strategy, engineering, integration, and operations, Magna AI designs and delivers secure AI infrastructure, applications, and services that enable measurable, scalable, and long-term transformation. Powered by strategic industry collaborations and next generation technologies from NVIDIA, Wistron Digital Technology Holding Company (WDH), and Trend Micro™, Magna AI helps enterprises and governments evolve into intelligent, adaptive, and future ready organizations.
www.magnaai.com

About GMI Cloud
Silicon Valley-based GMI Cloud delivers full-stack inference-first AI infrastructure to build sovereign and commercial AI deployments. With proven experience deploying AI infrastructure across multiple continents and regulatory environments, GMI Cloud enables nations, enterprises, and research institutions to build AI capabilities without dependence on foreign platforms. For more information, visit gmicloud.ai.

About Trend Micro™
Trend Micro™, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro’s AI-powered cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, Trend’s platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 70 countries, Trend Micro™ enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gmi-cloud-and-magna-ai-partner-to-expand-global-sovereign-ai-infrastructure-302792999.html

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The Government of Canada invests $15 million in one of Saskatchewan’s largest solar projects

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ESTEVAN, SK, June 5, 2026 /CNW/ – To become a clean energy superpower, the Government of Canada is investing in clean energy projects that will ensure that our grid can provide reliable and affordable power across the country, create jobs and economic growth, and reduce emissions.

Today, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Turning Sun Solar Project in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Member of Parliament Terry Duguid, on behalf of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, celebrated construction beginning at the 100-MW, utility-scale facility and announced $15 million in federal funding for the project. 

The Turning Sun Solar project is one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the province of Saskatchewan and one of the largest renewable energy projects currently under construction in Canada. Located on the traditional territory of the Ocean Man Nakoda Nation, it has 10 percent Indigenous ownership and, once operational, will power the equivalent of 25,000 homes. It will increase renewable energy sovereignty and availability in Saskatchewan while reducing costs for consumers.

Today’s announcement builds on the upcoming national electricity strategy, which will double Canada’s grid by 2050 and support reliable, affordable, clean and sovereign power for all Canadians. By supporting projects like Turning Sun Solar, we are strengthening Saskatchewan’s grid while building a more resilient future for all. Together with Indigenous partners, we are expanding clean energy and ensuring reliability and prosperity in rural communities and beyond.

Quotes

“It is an honour to see one of Saskatchewan’s largest-ever solar projects, owned partially by Indigenous Peoples, begin to come to life — a testament to the ambition and execution of our government. Turning Sun will be a great asset for Saskatchewanians as we’re building a more affordable, resilient energy future across the Prairies.”

Terry Duguid
Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South

“We’re investing in Saskatchewan and Canada’s power system to ensure reliable and affordable power amidst the growing demand for electricity. Our government is committed to working with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples and industry to strengthen Canada’s position as a clean energy superpower for decades to come.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Saskatchewan has always been an energy leader, and projects like Turning Sun are proof that that characteristic drive and spirit of innovation are alive and well. We’re building the next generation of clean energy infrastructure projects by bringing together industry, Indigenous partners and rural communities, and that means more reliable power, more jobs and new economic opportunities, right here at home.”

The Honourable Buckley Belanger
Secretary of State for Rural Development

Turning Sun Solar represents the kind of project we are proud to advance, one built on strong partnership, shared purpose and long-term impact. The support announced today through NRCan’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program reflects the importance of strong public-private collaboration in advancing energy infrastructure and creating lasting benefits for our partners, the local community and Saskatchewan’s power supply.”

Mazen Turk
CEO, Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure

“Today marks a significant milestone for Ocean Man Nakoda Nation. This is a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved through strong partnerships and a shared vision for the future. Hand-in-hand with GSI, we are building a legacy of clean energy and stewardship and creating opportunities for future generations.”

Chief Ernest Standingready 
Ocean Man Nakoda Nation

Quick Facts

Federal funding for this project is provided by the Government of Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs). This $4.5-billion program is designed to support the deployment of grid modernization, energy storage and non-emitting generation in every region of Canada, helping to grow the grid in a sustainable, affordable and reliable manner.On May 14, the Government of Canada launched a new national electricity strategy. This plan will double the capacity of our grid by 2050 and supply clean, reliable, affordable power across the country for decades to come.To develop this strategy, the government is launching consultations with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, utilities and unions to work together to identify the actions needed to double our grid most effectively and affordably.

Related Products

Turning Sun SolarSmart Renewable and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs)Powering Canada’s Future: A Clean Electricity Strategy

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