Toronto, ON — The Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.) has submitted recommendations to the Government of Canada’s public consultation on artificial intelligence, led by The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of AI.
In its submission, “Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Rights of Music Creators,” S.A.C. warns that the rapid and unregulated deployment of generative AI is disrupting the economic and social dynamics of culture. Many AI systems are trained on copyrighted music without consent, credit, or compensation—undermining the livelihoods of Canadian songwriters, composers, and lyricists while diverting value to large foreign-owned technology companies.
“Canadian intellectual property is a valuable natural resource and cannot be treated as free fuel for AI systems,” said Arun Chaturvedi, President of S.A.C. “Music creators have always embraced innovation—from multitrack recording to digital production to sampling—but it must not come at the expense of the people who create the art and culture that define us.”
In its submission S.A.C. emphasizes that AI can be a powerful tool when used ethically, transparently, and in ways that complement human creativity. However, when AI systems use copyrighted works and recordings without authorization in order to fabricate competing works, they undermine the cultural value chain and threaten the ability of creators to earn a living from their art. This not only puts creative jobs at risk but also jeopardizes Canada’s ability to sustain a diverse and sovereign cultural ecosystem that reflects the richness of its population.
As Canada develops its national AI strategy, S.A.C. urges the federal government to ensure accountability, transparency, and fair compensation from AI companies to protect creators’ rights and preserve Canada’s cultural sovereignty.
Key Recommendations
- Mandate transparency in AI training and outputs so creators know when and how their works are used.
- Reject commercial Text and Data Mining (TDM) exceptions that allow unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
- Encourage market based licensing and fair compensation frameworks to ensure creators benefit when their work powers AI tools and outputs.
- Support an independent, expert-led WIPO study to establish global standards on AI and creator rights.