Artificial intelligence: what each party would do
What each of BC’s five parties has committed to on artificial intelligence, with BC’s regulation on electricity for A.I. data centres, the public service’s policy on generative AI and the ministry’s materials for schools.
Party sites checked October 6, 2026
Each party on artificial intelligence
BC Green
Introduce legislation in the first 100 days banning retailers from using personal data to raise prices
Introduce legislation within the first 100 days to ban retailers from using consumers’ personal data to increase the price of goods for a specific consumer (‘surveillance pricing’), following the ‘Manitoba model’ led by Premier Kinew
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Place a moratorium on AI use in K–12 classrooms until province-wide direction on AI use exists
Develop clear, province-wide direction on the safe and ethical use of AI with students, placing a moratorium on AI use in K–12 classrooms until that plan is in place.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2. Also posted: Bluesky: The BC Greens will: Put a moratorium on Al for K-12, October 3 · YouTube: Policy Announcement: Regulate AI (w/ Sidney Coles, David Evans, Andrew Appleton and Carolyn Howe), October 3 · YouTube: It's time to regulate AI, October 3.
Pause building and operating AI data centres until a public-interest audit and regulatory regime exist
Put a moratorium on the construction and operation of AI data centres, until a detailed public-interest audit is developed and appropriate regulatory regime implemented.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2. Also posted: Bluesky: The BC Greens will: Put a moratorium on the construction and operation of Al data centres until a detailed public-interest audit is developed and appropriate regulatory regime implemented, October 3 · YouTube: Policy Announcement: Regulate AI (w/ Sidney Coles, David Evans, Andrew Appleton and Carolyn Howe), October 3 · YouTube: It's time to regulate AI, October 3.
All BC Green commitments on artificial intelligence Show three BC Green commitments
Create an independent AI oversight commission with Ottawa to test and regulate new AI before use
Work with the federal government to create an independent AI oversight commission so new AI is properly tested for safety and regulated before it’s used in B.C., because even the companies building it now say things are moving too fast.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2. Also posted: Bluesky: The BC Greens will, October 3 · YouTube: Policy Announcement: Regulate AI (w/ Sidney Coles, David Evans, Andrew Appleton and Carolyn Howe), October 3 · YouTube: It's time to regulate AI, October 3.
Ban the use of AI for surveillance of workers at all jobsites
Ban the use of AI for surveillance of workers at all jobsites.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Work with labour groups to develop a plan to address unemployment related to AI automation
Work with labour groups to develop a comprehensive plan to address unemployment related to AI automation.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Develop clear, province-wide direction on the safe and ethical use of AI with students
Develop clear, province-wide direction on the safe and ethical use of AI with students, placing a moratorium on AI use in K–12 classrooms until that plan is in place.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2. Also posted: Bluesky: The BC Greens will: Put a moratorium on Al for K-12, October 3 · YouTube: Policy Announcement: Regulate AI (w/ Sidney Coles, David Evans, Andrew Appleton and Carolyn Howe), October 3 · YouTube: It's time to regulate AI, October 3.
Provide digital literacy support for all educators
This includes protecting privacy, enforceable safeguards, digital literacy support for all educators, and working with the federal government to hold tech companies accountable for ensuring that systems are safe before they reach the classroom.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Work with Ottawa to hold tech companies accountable for AI systems being safe before reaching classrooms
This includes protecting privacy, enforceable safeguards, digital literacy support for all educators, and working with the federal government to hold tech companies accountable for ensuring that systems are safe before they reach the classroom.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Develop an AI labour market impact assessment and strategy with business, unions, young people and academics
Develop a labour market impact assessment and strategy, in conjunction with business, unions, young people and academics, to respond to the structural employment challenges of AI and new technologies.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Support workers displaced by new technologies
This will include supports for workers displaced by new technologies, strategies for ensuring roles are available for young and inexperienced workers, and review of how our employment insurance and social assistance systems need to adjust, such as moving to Universal Basic Income.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Develop strategies so roles are available for young and inexperienced workers
This will include supports for workers displaced by new technologies, strategies for ensuring roles are available for young and inexperienced workers, and review of how our employment insurance and social assistance systems need to adjust, such as moving to Universal Basic Income.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Review needed changes to employment insurance and social assistance, such as moving to Universal Basic Income
This will include supports for workers displaced by new technologies, strategies for ensuring roles are available for young and inexperienced workers, and review of how our employment insurance and social assistance systems need to adjust, such as moving to Universal Basic Income.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Push Ottawa to make Big Tech let users opt out of algorithms (“Your Choice, Your Feed”)
“Your Choice, Your Feed” — push Ottawa to require Big Tech platforms to give every user a simple, easy-to-find way to opt out of the algorithm and choose their own feed.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2. Also posted: Bluesky: The BC Greens will: Stop the Slop, October 3 · YouTube: Policy Announcement: Regulate AI (w/ Sidney Coles, David Evans, Andrew Appleton and Carolyn Howe), October 3 · YouTube: It's time to regulate AI, October 3.
Strengthen the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, mandating privacy, security, transparency and accountability
Strengthen the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to make privacy, security, transparency and accountability mandatory, including requirements forprivacy-impact assessments for use of AI, disclosure when AI is involved in decision making, and opportunities to challenge or correct an AI-assisted decision.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Require AI privacy-impact assessments, disclosure of AI in decisions, and ways to challenge or correct them
Strengthen the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to make privacy, security, transparency and accountability mandatory, including requirements forprivacy-impact assessments for use of AI, disclosure when AI is involved in decision making, and opportunities to challenge or correct an AI-assisted decision.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
Work with First Nations to ensure data sovereignty is protected
Work with First Nations to ensure data sovereignty is protected.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to regulate AI and hold Big Tech accountable, October 2.
BC NDP
Strengthen consumer protection and privacy laws to prohibit AI-powered algorithmic pricing
Strengthen consumer protection and privacy laws to prohibit AI-powered algorithmic pricing.
bcndp.ca: Eby will take on grocery giants to protect families from rising costs, October 2.
CentreBC
Establish standards for responsible AI use in K-12 and post-secondary education
A CentreBC provincial AI strategy would at the very least ensure every student graduates AI literate; shift curriculum to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, communication, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and resilience; establish clear standards for responsible AI use in K-12 and post-secondary education; and invest in teacher training to support educators in leading this transformation.
centrebc.ca, before the writ: Opinion: B.C.’s AI Strategy Vacuum Is Leaving Schools to Fend for Themselves — and Preparing Students for the Wrong Game, June 18, 2026.
Ensure every student graduates AI literate
A CentreBC provincial AI strategy would at the very least ensure every student graduates AI literate; shift curriculum to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, communication, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and resilience; establish clear standards for responsible AI use in K-12 and post-secondary education; and invest in teacher training to support educators in leading this transformation.
centrebc.ca, before the writ: Opinion: B.C.’s AI Strategy Vacuum Is Leaving Schools to Fend for Themselves — and Preparing Students for the Wrong Game, June 18, 2026.
Shift curriculum toward critical thinking, creativity, communication, ethical reasoning, adaptability and resilience
A CentreBC provincial AI strategy would at the very least ensure every student graduates AI literate; shift curriculum to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, communication, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and resilience; establish clear standards for responsible AI use in K-12 and post-secondary education; and invest in teacher training to support educators in leading this transformation.
centrebc.ca, before the writ: Opinion: B.C.’s AI Strategy Vacuum Is Leaving Schools to Fend for Themselves — and Preparing Students for the Wrong Game, June 18, 2026.
All CentreBC commitments on artificial intelligence Show three CentreBC commitments
Invest in teacher training under a provincial AI strategy
A CentreBC provincial AI strategy would at the very least ensure every student graduates AI literate; shift curriculum to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, communication, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and resilience; establish clear standards for responsible AI use in K-12 and post-secondary education; and invest in teacher training to support educators in leading this transformation.
centrebc.ca, before the writ: Opinion: B.C.’s AI Strategy Vacuum Is Leaving Schools to Fend for Themselves — and Preparing Students for the Wrong Game, June 18, 2026.
Conservative
No commitment published Checked Oct 6
OneBC
No commitment published Checked Oct 6
BC’s rules on AI in plain words
BC’s rules on power for AI data centres
- BC law lets cabinet regulate the electricity a public utility supplies for storing or processing electronic data, including data used for artificial intelligence. Utilities Commission Act, section 21.1
- The regulations may stop a utility supplying power to such a facility, cap the capacity available, or require a competition for it. Section 21.1
- A 2026 regulation defines an A.I. data centre as a data centre where 10 percent or more of the electricity is used for artificial intelligence computing, its data or the equipment for them. B.C. Reg. 8/2026, section 1
- Over the two years from February 1, 2026 it caps new power for conventional data centres at 100 MW, and for A.I. data centres at 300 MW plus any of that 100 MW not made available. Section 3; Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, c. 473
- BC Hydro must run a competition to decide which data centres get new power, unless it finds too little demand or too little capacity, and no request may exceed 145 MW. Section 4; Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, c. 473
AI in government and schools
- The provincial government’s AI policy covers its own employees: they may use generative AI tools if they follow the policy. Policy on the use of generative AI
- It bars putting confidential or personal information into public AI tools and requires employees to check what the tools produce. Policy on the use of generative AI
- In schools, the ministry provides materials to help boards and schools write their own local AI procedures and policies, and says teachers decide on classroom use. Digital literacy and the use of AI in education, page last updated July 18, 2024
Power for AI data centres
- Power cap for A.I. data centres New capacity over the two years from February 1, 2026, plus any conventional data centre capacity not taken up
- 300 MW B.C. Reg. 8/2026, section 3
- Power cap for conventional data centres New capacity over the two years from February 1, 2026
- 100 MW B.C. Reg. 8/2026, section 3
- Largest single request In BC Hydro’s competitive process
- 145 MW B.C. Reg. 8/2026, section 4
- BC Hydro’s competitive call for A.I. and data centre projects A two-year call; projects of 10 MW and greater
- Launched February 1, 2026 Industrial Electricity Allocation Framework, page last updated March 31, 2026
Recorded votes
Second reading of Bill 31, Energy Statutes Amendment Act, 2025: passed, 48 to 42. The bill also amended the Hydro and Power Authority Act.
48 for 42 against 3 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 31, Energy Statutes Amendment Act, 2025: passed, 46 to 46. The vote was tied and the Speaker’s casting vote was in favour. Royal Assent November 27, 2025. The bill also amended the Hydro and Power Authority Act.
46 for 46 against 1 did not vote
The tables
Limits on new electricity capacity BC Hydro may make available, in megawatts
| Purpose | Two-year period commencing on the reference date | One-year period commencing on its second anniversary |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional data centres | 100 MW | 50 MW |
| A.I. data centres | 300 MW, plus conventional capacity not made available | 150 MW, plus conventional capacity not made available |
| Hydrogen-for-export facilities | 200 MW | 100 MW |
Source: Data Centre Facility and Hydrogen Production Facility Power Supply Regulation, B.C. Reg. 8/2026.
Keep comparing
Each party’s page, at artificial intelligence
Sources
- Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, c. 473, read October 6, 2026
- Data Centre Facility and Hydrogen Production Facility Power Supply Regulation, B.C. Reg. 8/2026, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC, digital.gov.bc.ca: Policy on the use of generative AI, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC, Ministry of Education and Child Care: Digital literacy and the use of AI in education: supports for British Columbia schools, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC, Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions: Industrial Electricity Allocation Framework, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, October 29, 2025, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 19, 2025, read October 6, 2026
- BC Green: bcgreens.ca/our-plan, checked October 6, 2026
- BC NDP: bcndp.ca, checked October 6, 2026
- CentreBC: centrebc.ca/our-policy, checked October 6, 2026
- Conservative: conservativebc.ca/plan, checked October 6, 2026
- OneBC: 1bc.ca/priorities, checked October 6, 2026