OTTAWA - The Canadian government is set to establish a public registry to inform citizens about its increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI). Stephen Burt, the chief data officer, noted that there has been a significant rise in AI activities across various departments and agencies.

Kara Beckles, the executive director of privacy and responsible data at the Treasury Board, explained that while AI is being utilized in multiple ways, there is currently no comprehensive list of these projects. "Departments have really started experimenting more and more with implementing AI in different ways," Beckles said.

She highlighted several examples of AI applications within the government. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is using AI to locate lost fishing gear. Agriculture Canada is analyzing satellite data to forecast crop yields. Transport Canada employs AI to screen high-risk air cargo. However, these initiatives have been fragmented, with individual departments launching their own projects.

To address this, the public service is developing a more coordinated approach under a new AI strategy introduced earlier this year. The registry aims to provide transparency and oversight of AI projects, ensuring that both the government and the public are aware of ongoing initiatives.

In other news, Teck Resources Ltd. and Anglo American plc have announced plans to merge their operations, forming a new entity called Anglo Teck. This merger is expected to create a significant player in the global critical minerals market and will be headquartered in Vancouver, with additional offices in London and Johannesburg. The merger is anticipated to be finalized within the next 12 to 18 months.

Meanwhile, the British Columbia government has mandated that forage-crop farmers in the southern region cease irrigation due to critically low water flows threatening endangered chinook salmon. Randene Neill, the province's minister of water, land, and resource stewardship, stated that regulatory action is necessary when stream flows drop to critical levels.

The order affects 490 users in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek watersheds, including farmers growing grass, alfalfa, and corn. Additionally, 19 licensees in the Salmon River watershed have been instructed to stop using water for lawns and other industrial purposes. Neill mentioned that the order could be lifted if stream flow conditions improve, although no specific timeline was provided.

In financial news, gold mining companies dominated the latest rankings of the Toronto Stock Exchange's top-performing stocks. The TSX 30 list, which highlights the best-performing companies based on dividend-adjusted share price over three years, revealed that 17 of the 30 firms are mining companies, with 15 being gold-related. Lundin Gold Inc. led with a 775 percent return, followed by Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. and New Gold Inc.

Lastly, in Ontario, parents and students are expressing frustration over delays in the opening of a new school in Parry Sound. The school, intended to serve students from junior kindergarten to Grade 12, was scheduled to open on September 2 but remains closed due to construction setbacks. This has forced high school students to shift to online learning, prompting a provincial review of the school board's governance.