Unadhi · Canada

Does the EU AI Act apply to Canadian companies?

Yes, if your AI reaches the EU. Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 covers providers that place AI systems on the EU market, and providers or deployers outside the EU whose AI output is used in the EU (European Commission). An EU office is not required.

What already applies

• Since 2 Feb 2025: banned practices, and AI literacy (Art. 4) for staff who operate or use AI systems.
• Since 2 Aug 2025: obligations for general-purpose AI models.
• High-risk systems (e.g. hiring, credit scoring): the Digital Omnibus, Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 (published 24 Jul 2026, in force 27 Jul 2026), moved the dates to 2 Dec 2027 for Annex III systems and 2 Aug 2028 for Annex I systems (EUR-Lex).

A Canadian checklist

1. List every AI system and mark the ones EU customers or EU users touch.
2. For each one, decide whether you are the provider or the deployer.
3. Screen each against the Annex III high-risk list.
4. Keep an Art. 4 literacy record for staff.
5. Remember the home rules too: PIPEDA, and Quebec Law 25 s.12.1 if you process Quebec data. Canada's AIDA never became law.

Free first step

Record one AI system free in the Unadhi Register. It produces a printable Art. 4 literacy record.

Free first: the Unadhi Register keeps 1 AI system free: https://unadhi.com/register/ · Paid, only if useful: membership $19/month or $190/year; checkout: https://mininglife1.gumroad.com/l/euro-ai-register. Not legal advice. Checked against official sources on 13 Oct 2026. Please tell us if something has changed.