Northern Cascadia AI Governance Standards
NC-AI Templates Repository
This repository publishes draft standards and frameworks for AI governance in Northern Cascadia, aligned with ISO 42001:2023 for regional implementation.
Mission Statement
This repository publishes the Northern Cascadia AI Risk Standard (NC-AI-001) — a regional framework aligned with ISO 42001 for AI governance in Northern BC and beyond. These standards are designed to provide practical, accessible tools for organizations implementing AI systems in Northern Cascadia.
Current Release
NC-AI-001: AI Risk Register Template
Version: v1.0 Draft (Draft for Public Comment)
Publication Date: 2025-11-02
Status: Open for comment until 2026-02-02
Review Period: 90 days
Quick Links:
Scope & Jurisdiction
Primary Jurisdiction: Northern BC (north of Prince George)
Geographic Scope:
- Municipalities: Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers, and surrounding communities
- Indigenous Territories: First Nations governments and communities throughout Northern BC
- Regional Organizations: Northern Cascadia region
Extensibility: The principles in these standards may be extended to other remote northern economies across the Pacific Northwest.
Indigenous Inclusion: These standards acknowledge Indigenous sovereignty and data rights. Indigenous governments have jurisdiction over AI governance on their territories. Future versions will include multi-language support for Indigenous languages.
What’s Included
NC-AI-001: AI Risk Register Template
A comprehensive risk register template with 28 pre-populated AI risks across 8 categories:
- Bias and Fairness (4 risks)
- Security and Privacy (5 risks)
- Transparency and Explainability (4 risks)
- Data Quality and Integrity (4 risks)
- Regulatory Compliance (4 risks)
- Operational Risks (4 risks)
- Human Impact and Safety (4 risks)
- Third-Party and Vendor (4 risks)
Features:
- ISO 42001:2023 aligned
- Risk scoring matrix (5×5 scale)
- Impact and likelihood assessments
- Control documentation framework
- Treatment tracking system
Formats Available:
- Markdown (
.md) - Source format
- CSV (
.csv) - For Excel/Google Sheets import
- PDF (available in publication package)
- Word (available in publication package)
Quick Start
- Download the template:
- Review the template structure and pre-populated risks
- Import CSV into Excel if you prefer spreadsheet format:
- Fill out risk assessments for your AI systems
- Submit feedback if you have suggestions
How to Use
For Small-Medium Businesses
- Start with the Markdown template
- Review all 28 pre-populated risks
- Assess which risks apply to your AI systems
- Fill in impact, likelihood, and risk scores
- Document controls and mitigation strategies
- Track implementation progress
For Large Organizations
- Import CSV into Excel or your risk management system
- Customize risk categories for your industry
- Use for multiple AI systems across the organization
- Integrate with existing governance frameworks
- Generate reports for management
For Consultants & Advisors
- Use as reference material for client engagements
- Customize templates for specific industries
- Cite as “NC-AI-001 Draft for Public Comment v1.0”
- Provide feedback based on real-world implementation experience
For Indigenous Governments
- Adapt templates for your specific jurisdiction
- Consider data sovereignty requirements
- Engage with us for partnership opportunities
- Provide feedback from your governance perspective
Submit Feedback
This is Draft for Public Comment v1.0
We welcome feedback during the comment period (through 2026-02-02):
Ways to provide feedback:
What feedback we’re looking for:
- Is this template useful for your organization?
- What’s missing or unclear?
- What would make it better?
- ISO 42001 compliance issues or gaps?
- Real-world usage experiences and challenges?
- Suggestions for future versions
Feedback Process:
- All comments will be reviewed
- Significant feedback will be incorporated into v1.1
- Updated versions will be published quarterly
Governance & Authorship
Developed by: Kaizen Strategic AI (Terrace, BC)
Published by: Northern Cascadia Institute of AI Governance
Mission: Moving the North forward through Digital Strategy
Contact:
- Website: kaizenstrategic.ai (coming soon)
- Email: governance@kaizenstrategic.ai
Contributors: This is an open initiative. Contributions and partnerships welcome.
Acknowledgements:
- Based on ISO 42001:2023 (AI Management Systems)
- Aligned with ISO 23894 (AI Risk Management)
- Informed by ISO 31000 (Risk Management Principles)
- Real-world implementation insights from Northern BC organizations
Version History
| Version |
Date |
Status |
Changes |
| v1.0 |
2025-11-02 |
Draft for Public Comment |
Initial publication - 28 risks across 8 categories |
Next Version: v1.1 (expected Q1 2026, subject to feedback)
License & Usage Rights
License: Public Domain (CC0)
This work is dedicated to the public domain. You are free to:
- ✅ Use for any purpose (commercial or non-commercial)
- ✅ Modify and adapt for your needs
- ✅ Share and redistribute
- ✅ Cite in your documentation
Attribution: Appreciated but not required. If citing:
Northern Cascadia AI Governance Standard NC-AI-001 v1.0 (Draft for Public Comment). Kaizen Strategic AI / Northern Cascadia Institute of AI Governance. 2025.
Citation Format:
- Academic: Northern Cascadia Institute of AI Governance. (2025). NC-AI-001: AI Risk Register Template v1.0 (Draft for Public Comment). Kaizen Strategic AI.
- Informal: NC-AI-001 v1.0, Northern Cascadia Institute, 2025
Repository Structure
nc-ai-templates/
├── README.md (this file - main documentation)
├── LICENSE (Public Domain - CC0)
├── NC-AI-001-Complete-Template.md (main template - 28 risks, 8 categories)
├── NC-AI-001-Risk-Data.csv (CSV version for Excel import)
└── [Future standards: NC-AI-002, NC-AI-003, etc.]
Download Files:
Documentation: Complete usage instructions are included in the template file.
Based On & Standards Alignment
These templates are aligned with:
- ISO 42001:2023 (AI Management Systems) - Primary alignment
- ISO 23894 (AI Risk Management) - Risk assessment framework
- ISO 31000 (Risk Management Principles) - Risk management approach
- ISO 42005 (AI System Impact Assessment) - Impact assessment considerations
Important: These templates work WITH ISO standards, they do not replace them. Always use alongside official ISO documentation and certification processes.
Who This Is For
- Northern BC businesses implementing AI systems
- Indigenous governments managing AI on their territories
- Organizations pursuing ISO 42001 certification
- Consultants and advisors working with Northern BC organizations
- Anyone managing AI risks in Northern Cascadia
Roadmap
Current:
- ✅ NC-AI-001: AI Risk Register Template (v1.0 Draft)
Planned (subject to community feedback):
- NC-AI-002: AI Impact Assessment Framework
- NC-AI-003: AI Governance Policy Template
- NC-AI-004: AI Vendor Assessment Tool
- NC-AI-005: AI Incident Response Procedure
Future Considerations:
- Industry-specific versions (Mining, Healthcare, etc.)
- Multi-language support (Indigenous languages)
- Excel workbooks with pre-formulated templates
- Integration with common risk management platforms
Contributing & Partnerships
We welcome:
- Feedback and suggestions
- Real-world usage experiences
- Partnership opportunities
- Industry-specific adaptations
- Translations and localization
Partnership Opportunities:
- Indigenous governments: Collaborative development of governance frameworks
- Industry associations: Sector-specific adaptations
- Educational institutions: Research and validation
- Certification bodies: Alignment and validation
Contact: governance@kaizenstrategic.ai
Disclaimer
These templates are provided “as-is” for informational and educational purposes. They are not official ISO standards or regulatory requirements. Always consult appropriate legal, compliance, and technical experts for your specific situation.
Not Legal Advice: These templates do not constitute legal, compliance, or professional advice. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Use at Your Own Risk: These templates are tools to assist in risk management, not guarantees of compliance or risk elimination.
Support
Questions?
- Review the template documentation
- Open a GitHub Issue
- Email: governance@kaizenstrategic.ai
Need Help Using the Template?
- See usage instructions in the template file
- Check the CSV version for Excel import guidance
- Contact us for consulting support
Last Updated: 2025-11-02
Status: Draft for Public Comment v1.0
Comment Period: Through 2026-02-02
Repository: nc-ai-templates
Website: kaizenstrategic.ai (coming soon)
Contact: governance@kaizenstrategic.ai