Canadian officials summoned OpenAI leadership to Ottawa this week, delivering a stern warning: implement safety changes immediately or face government-mandated rules. Justice Minister Sean Fraser said the demand follows OpenAI's failure to alert police after banning the account of a user allegedly involved in a British Columbia mass shooting.

The core issue stems from the account of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the suspected shooter. A 2025 Wall Street Journal report claimed OpenAI employees flagged his account for potential real-world violence warnings and urged leadership to notify law enforcement. The company banned the account for policy violations but stated the activity didn't meet its criteria for police contact.

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon called the reports "deeply disturbing," promising a detailed review of OpenAI's safety protocols and escalation thresholds. The meeting occurs as OpenAI faces multiple wrongful death lawsuits over ChatGPT's alleged role in encouraging violence and suicide. Canada's push is complicated by two prior failed attempts to pass an online harms act.