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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Praveen Ranawana

Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Master of Arts

Topic

Rationales for and barriers to implementing Artificial Intelligence in Canadian provincial governments

School of Public Administration

Date & location

  • Friday, April 24, 2026

  • 10:00 A.M.

  • Human and Social Development Building

  • Room A302

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

  • Dr. Evert Lindquist, School of Public Administration, University of Victoria (Supervisor)

  • Dr. Justin Longo, School of Public Administration, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

  • Dr. Jason Hicks, Department of Economics, University of Victoria 

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Don Juzwishin, School of Health Information Science, UVic

     

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to improve government services and operations but its use comes with several concerns. This study took a qualitative approach to understand the rationales for implementing AI in Canadian provincial governments, and the barriers that they need to overcome in order to do so, with a focus on the governments of British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario. A literature review on rationales and barriers to AI in governments was conducted to develop an analytical framework that guided interviews and questionnaires with provincial government public servants and experts on AI use in Canadian governments. This was followed by a document review on publicly available information from the targeted governments. The study concluded that AI’s potential for improvement is too high for governments to ignore, but that implementation requires governments to address issues of accountability and transparency; protection of sensitive data; and tackling resistance within their organizations. It is recommended that governments take a measured approach to implementing AI in areas that it would be most effective to harness AI’s potential while addressing barriers. 

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