Canadian Ministers Press OpenAI on AI Safety After British Columbia Mass Killing

Ottawa Meeting Focuses on Reporting Protocols and Public Safety​

Canadian officials have expressed disappointment after senior representatives of OpenAI did not present new safety measures during a meeting in Ottawa, held in the aftermath of a mass killing in British Columbia involving a former ChatGPT user.

The meeting was convened by Evan Solomon, the federal minister responsible for artificial intelligence, following confirmation that OpenAI had banned an account linked to the suspect but did not alert law enforcement at the time.

Account Banned But Not Reported to Police​

Eighteen year old Jesse Van Rootselaar is suspected of killing eight people on February 10 in the town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, before taking her own life. Police said Van Rootselaar, who was born male but identified as a woman and began transitioning six years ago, had a history of mental health problems.

OpenAI stated that it had banned Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account in 2025 after internal systems flagged misuse of its models in furtherance of violent activities. The company said it considered notifying authorities but determined that the activity did not meet its threshold for reporting, which requires an imminent and credible risk of serious physical harm.

The company added that the earlier suspension, which occurred last year for policy violations, also did not meet internal criteria for escalation to law enforcement.

Ministers Demand Stronger Escalation Framework​

Following the Ottawa meeting, Solomon said the government had made clear that Canadians expect credible warning signs of serious violence to be escalated in a timely and responsible manner.

He said that relying solely on an internal review is not sufficient when public safety is at stake. The minister also noted that OpenAI had not presented substantial new safety measures during the discussions.

According to Solomon, OpenAI indicated it would return with more concrete proposals tailored specifically to the Canadian context. Ministers from the departments of public safety, culture, and justice were also present at the meeting.

Solomon confirmed that the company is cooperating with Canadian police, though no details of the ongoing investigation were discussed.

OpenAI Commits to Additional Safeguards​

In a statement, OpenAI said it has strengthened safeguards in recent months and revised its protocol for referring cases involving violent activity to law enforcement authorities.

The company acknowledged that ministers emphasized the expectation for continued and concrete action. It committed to providing an update in the coming days outlining additional steps it plans to take, while continuing to support law enforcement and work with the Canadian government on AI safety measures.

Legislative Context and Renewed Push on Online Harm​

The development comes as Canada revisits efforts to regulate harmful online content. In 2024, the Liberal government introduced draft legislation aimed at combating online hate. That initiative stalled after criticism that its scope was overly broad.

Ministers have said they will attempt to reintroduce a revised bill this year.

Investigation Continues in Tumbler Ridge​

The killings occurred in Tumbler Ridge, a small town of around 2,400 residents in British Columbia. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the February 10 incident.

The case has intensified scrutiny on how artificial intelligence companies monitor and escalate potential warning signs, and how governments expect technology firms to respond when violent misuse is detected.