Execution-First Architecture for AI Workforce Transformation
What does the documentary record establish regarding TBS's handling of Paper 2?
The submitted work was formally titled "PraxisGraph™: Execution-First Architecture for AI Workforce Transformation." It was transmitted to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat on November 3, 2025, addressed to the Chief Information Officer of Canada and the Director for Responsible Data and AI in the Office of the CIO, framed around Canada's G7 Presidency priorities, and building on an earlier framework submitted to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
The documentary record contains two materially inconsistent representations from the same official about whether the paper was circulated within the department. This Record examines the handling of the paper between its receipt and the January 7, 2026 closure letter that formally retracted the initial acknowledgment of circulation.
Findings
Receipt and initial account
- 1
Paper 2 was received at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat on November 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM, addressed to Dominic Rochon, Chief Information Officer of Canada and Deputy Minister, and to Jonathan Macdonald, Director, Responsible Data and AI, Office of the CIO. The paper was framed around Canada's G7 Presidency priorities and proposed an execution-first architecture for AI workforce transformation building on an earlier framework submitted to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
- 2
On November 4, 2025 at 8:44 AM, Macdonald replied to the author, copying Rochon by blind carbon copy. His reply stated:
Thanks for reaching out with your vision for a predictive framework, the premise is intriguing and I look forward to an exchange on this. I have circulated it within my team and will respond to you soon with any questions or comments.
The direct contradiction
- 3
On December 22, 2025 at 11:07 AM, the author sent a message to Macdonald requesting a pause and a conversation on the paper's stewardship. Macdonald replied at 11:26 AM the same day and scheduled a call for December 23 at 10:00 AM.
- 4
On December 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM, a recorded call was conducted between Macdonald and the author, lasting thirty-one minutes. On the call, Macdonald stated:
From the information I received I haven't shared it anywhere. I haven't forward the e-mail. I haven't truthfully because we haven't started to look at this as a policy problem… I haven't shared this information. I haven't used this information. I can. I'm confirming that now.
Macdonald also confirmed on the same call: "I did receive this work from you."
- 5
On December 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM, Macdonald sent a written follow-up to the author. The message stated:
I want to confirm that TBS has not engaged with the paper you sent us.
The unedited raw transcript of the December 23 call was attached to the email.
- 6
On December 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM, the author submitted seven numbered clarification questions to Macdonald requesting clarification of the direct contradiction between the November 4 written statement ("I have circulated it within my team") and the December 23 recorded and written statements.
- 7
On January 7, 2026 at 4:20 PM, a closure letter signed by Macdonald on behalf of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada was sent to the author. The letter contained the following apology proposition:
You are correct that an earlier response created confusion regarding the handling of the paper you submitted. My original response to you stated that your paper had been shared with my team. As we discussed in our subsequent meeting, because of other pressures of work from the Budget and G7 commitments, this did not happen. I apologize for this miscommunication and for any confusion it may have caused.
The letter also stated: "we will refrain from reviewing or making use of this work going forward."
Current documentary state
- 8
On April 23, 2026, a 149-page release of records concerning the handling of both papers within the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat was issued. The release provides documentary evidence relevant to reconciling the two materially inconsistent accounts.
- 9
On April 30, 2026, OIC investigation 5826-00601 opened on the April 23 release under section 32 of the Access to Information Act, concerning search adequacy and completeness of the disclosure. The investigation is active.
- Treasury Board of Canada SecretariatRecipient of Paper 2; signatory of the January 7 closure letter
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development CanadaCo-signatory of the January 7 closure letter
- Office of the Information Commissioner of CanadaOversight authority; active investigation on the April 23 release
Roles reflect positions held during the events documented in this Record; current appointments may differ.
- Dominic RochonChief Information Officer of Canada; Deputy Minister, TBS
- Jonathan MacdonaldDirector, Responsible Data and AI, Office of the CIO, TBS
- ?Which of the two contradictory accounts — the November 4 written representation of circulation, or the December 23 reversal — is supported by the internal record.
- ?If circulation within the Director's team did occur, who received the paper.
- ?Whether any element of Paper 2 was referenced or considered in internal work at the department, or in G7-related deliverables produced during the same period.
- ?The completeness of the April 23 release regarding the handling of the paper within the department.