Canadians are increasingly open to the use of artificial intelligence in health care, particularly when it comes to helping doctors diagnose illnesses, reviewing medical scans and reducing waiting times. However, a new national survey suggests that many Canadians remain uncomfortable with health-care AI tools developed or operated in the United States, raising important questions about privacy, data security and Canada’s control over sensitive medical information. According to a survey conducted by Santis Health and Nanos Research, 68 per cent of Canadians are uncomfortable or somewhat uncomfortable with the Canadian health-care system using AI tools based in the United States. The findings highlight a growing distinction between public support for artificial intelligence itself and concerns about where the technology comes from and how personal information may be handled. The survey found that 80 per cent of respondents want their health information to remain in Canada and do not want it used to train AI models outside the country. The results suggest that data sovereignty and privacy are becoming major considerations as artificial intelligence becomes more widely integrated into health services. Despite these concerns, Canadians expressed considerable support for several potential applications of AI in medical care. Approximately 75 per cent support the use of AI to assist health-care professionals with diagnoses, while 71 per cent would be open to AI reviewing medical tests or scans if it could help them see a specialist sooner. However, only five per cent believe AI should be allowed to diagnose patients independently, highlighting the importance Canadians place on human medical supervision. The survey also revealed strong public support for government involvement in regulating artificial intelligence. Around 86 per cent of respondents believe the federal government should do more to regulate how AI companies collect, store and use health information. More than eight in 10 also support public investment in AI to help develop new medicines and medical devices and improve the management of Canada’s health-care system.
The findings come as artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly common source of health information. Many Canadians are turning to AI-powered platforms to understand symptoms, explore possible medical conditions and prepare questions before consulting health professionals. While these tools can provide quick access to information, concerns remain about accuracy, privacy and the possibility of misleading medical advice. A separate Canadian Medical Association survey released in February 2026 found that approximately half of Canadians were already using AI tools to diagnose or manage health concerns, even though only 27 per cent said they trusted AI to provide accurate health information. The association also reported that Canadians who followed health advice from AI were five times more likely to experience harm than those who did not, reinforcing concerns about relying on automated systems without professional guidance. The latest findings indicate that Canadians are not necessarily rejecting artificial intelligence in health care. Instead, they appear to want the benefits of new technology while maintaining strong safeguards around personal medical information and ensuring that qualified health professionals remain involved in important decisions. As governments and health-care organisations explore wider AI adoption, the challenge will be to develop systems that are reliable, transparent and secure while respecting Canadian privacy standards. The survey suggests that public confidence will depend not only on what artificial intelligence can accomplish, but also on who controls the technology and where Canadians’ sensitive health data is stored and used. The survey of 1,037 Canadians was conducted online between August 30 and September 2, 2026, by Nanos Research and Santis Health.