What does this policy mean for you as a reader?
This page explains how Canada Edition uses artificial intelligence and automated tools in our journalism. It is here so you can understand exactly where technology supports our work and where human judgment always remains in control. If you have questions after reading, please contact us at our contact page.
As a reader of Canada Edition, you deserve clarity about the methods behind every article. We believe transparency builds trust. This policy outlines the boundaries we set for AI-assisted tools, the role of human editors at every stage, and the prohibitions we treat as absolute. Nothing here changes our core commitment: every piece of journalism we publish is reviewed, edited, and approved by a person.
How does Canada Edition use AI and automation?
We allow AI-assisted tools to support research, drafting, editing, formatting, translation, metadata creation, headline options, summaries, and transcription. These tools never replace human editorial judgment or final approval.
For example, a reporter may use an AI tool to quickly summarise a long government document or to generate alternative headline suggestions. An editor might use automated spell-check or style-consistency software. When we produce transcripts of public proceedings, we may use speech-to-text tools and then have a human verify accuracy. In all cases, the responsible editor – named on every article – ensures the content meets our standards before publication. AI tools are not authors; they are helpers, like a calculator or a spell-checker. The byline belongs to a person, and the final approval belongs to a human editor.
How this works in practice
Consider a recent article on municipal transit funding in Toronto. Managing Editor Marc Tremblay assigned the story to a reporter. The reporter used an AI tool to generate a first-draft summary of a 200-page city budget document. That summary was checked against the original source by fact-checker Andrew Leblanc. The reporter then wrote the article, which was reviewed by Municipal Affairs Editor Hannah Walsh. No machine wrote a single sentence published. The headline options suggested by an AI tool were reviewed and finalised by Hannah. The article was fact-checked again before publication. Every step involved a human decision.
If we ever publish content that uses AI in a more visible way – for example, an automated data visualisation or a transcript of a live council meeting – we will clearly label it and explain the method used. You will never be left guessing whether a person wrote what you are reading.
Who oversees our standards and what are the strict prohibitions?
Editor-in-Chief Catherine Roy is ultimately responsible for editorial standards, publication decisions, and corrections. Standards Lead Andrew Leblanc oversees fact-checking and source verification. Northern Beacon Media Inc., an Ontario corporation (Ontario Business Registry number 1003194827), owns and operates Canada Edition (canadaedition.org). Our registered office is Unit 12, 95 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5C 1G4.
We strictly prohibit any use of AI that fabricates quotes, sources, interviews, bylines, author experience, or expert profiles. No AI tool may produce content that is presented as original reporting without human authoring and editorial review. Automated tools must never be used to generate content that misrepresents a person’s views or invents data. Any violation of this policy is treated as a serious breach of our editorial code, as set out in our Editorial Policy and Fact-Checking Policy.
We also require that all sponsored or commercial content that uses AI tools is clearly labelled, consistent with our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure. Commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions, and AI cannot change that principle.
In short
Canada Edition uses AI and automation only as supportive tools, never as a substitute for human journalism. Every article you read has been written by a named reporter, checked by an editor, and fact-checked before publication. If we ever change this approach, we will update this policy and tell you directly.
Our team is here to answer your questions. Reach us at our contact page or email info@canadaedition.org. You can also learn more about our standards and people on Our Team page.