AI safety regulations proposed by ministers 2026

Federal ministers are demanding answers and concrete proposals for AI safety regulations after the company flagged. The account of a Canadian mass shooter failed to alert law enforcement before the attack.

In the wake of a tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, the spotlight has turned to the role of artificial intelligence companies in preventing violence. The case of shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar has ignited a firestorm of criticism of OpenAI’s decision-making and prompted the Canadian government to consider regulatory action.

The Incident and the AI Safety Connection

The controversy erupted after a Wall Street Journal report detailing that Van Rootselaar’s OpenAI account had been shut down due to a series of troubling posts. These posts reportedly referenced scenarios involving gun violence. However, despite terminating the account, the company did not notify the police.

OpenAI has defended its decision, stating that the user’s online activities did not meet the company’s threshold for informing law enforcement as they did not constitute a “credible” or “imminent” threat at the time.

Government Summons AI Safety to Ottawa

The government’s handling of the situation has drawn sharp criticism from Ottawa. On Tuesday, Artificial Intelligence Minister Ivan Solomon summoned OpenAI representatives to an emergency meeting in the nation’s capital to explain security protocols.

The meeting, which was also attended by Public AI Safety Minister Gary Anandasingari, Justice Minister Sean Fraser, and Culture Minister Mark Miller, was described as tense. According to a statement released late Tuesday evening, federal officials expressed deep “disappointment” with the company for failing to alert authorities.

On Wednesday, Minister Suleiman reiterated the government’s position, stressing that the current situation is unacceptable. He said authorities expect OpenAI to provide “concrete solutions” to restore public trust.

We told the company we want real proposals. Big ones. Everything is on the table right now. We need to know how much they’re cooperating. When should their team or tech call the police? We want to be sure this never happens again. We were really worried when we heard they might’ve had a chance to contact law enforcement, but didn’t.

The Push for Regulation: Too Little, Too Late?

The government now signals it may act, targeting measures in its proposed Online Harms Act. But critics call the response reactive, not preventative.

Legal and tech experts say the Tumbler Ridge incident proves the AI industry cannot self-regulate.

“Ministers should seriously consider who is responsible for regulating ChatGPT and other similar tools like Elevenlabs Studio,” said Jennifer Raso, an associate professor of law at McGill University. “Calling people to Ottawa after one of Canada’s worst mass shootings.

This sentiment is echoed in the political sphere. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner expressed skepticism regarding the Liberal government’s commitment to the file. Since the emergence of ChatGPT in 2022, no meaningful federal regulations have been enacted.

“I certainly don’t see it as a front-burner issue,” Rempel Garner told reporters, voicing concern over the government’s “capacity and willingness to address artificial intelligence policy writ large.”

What Happens Next?

Minister Solomon confirmed that the Ottawa company is currently seeking proposals from AI companies. How they address the growing threats and coordinate with law enforcement. While the government is open to proposed solutions, the message for Silicon Valley is clear.

As the investigation into the Tumbler Ridge shooting continues, this case has set a critical precedent, forcing a global conversation. About where the line is drawn between digital privacy, corporate liability, and public safety in the age of generative AI.