In a bold thought experiment, former Reform Party leader Preston Manning is issuing a public challenge: harness the power of artificial intelligence to help rewrite the Canadian Constitution. Published on January 14, 2026, in the National Post, Manning's proposal comes as a response to a hypothetical but plausible future of deepening national discord.
A Nation at a Crossroads: The Catalyst for Re-Confederation
Manning paints a scenario where, by 2026, federal-provincial relations have severely deteriorated under a hypothetical Carney government. He suggests a clear majority in Quebec or Alberta could threaten to vote 'Yes' on a secession question. Combined with what he describes as reactionary anti-development stances from some provincial and First Nations governments, Manning argues this could cripple Canada's economic ability to support its 40 million people.
These circumstances, he posits, could force the "good faith negotiation" envisioned by the Supreme Court in its interpretation of the Clarity Act—leading to a major constitutional rewrite, or Re-confederation. Unlike the original process led by the Fathers of Confederation in 1864, today's citizens have a revolutionary tool at their disposal: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Playing the Re-Confederation Game with Sir John AI
Manning details his own foray into this exercise, which he undertook over the Christmas holidays with associates. The first step was rereading the consolidated Canadian Constitution Acts from 1867 to 1982. They then selected an advanced AI language model, customizing it and renaming it Sir John AI (SJAI) in honour of Sir John A. Macdonald's influence.
The AI was given two initial tasks. First, it modernized the constitution by removing spent or archaic sections, such as listings of 1867 electoral districts, creating a streamlined document. Second, and more radically, SJAI was prompted to correct a "glaring defect": the Senate.
A Blueprint for an Elected Senate
Manning's AI experiment directed SJAI to delete sections establishing Canada's current unrepresentative and unelected Senate. In their place, it was instructed to insert relevant sections from the Australian Constitution, which provides for an elected Senate with six senators per state (or province) and a clear division of responsibilities with the House of Commons.
Manning emphasizes that this "Re-Confederation Game" is now accessible to everyone—governments, think-tanks, law faculties, and individuals. He challenges readers to use their favourite AI assistant to compose an inspiring preamble to a revised constitution, framing it as a necessary and timely civic exercise for the nation's future.
