Regan Watts

Engaging with relevant federal departments and agencies to support the timely and accurate application of immigration rules and processes for Canada Soccer, its players, and its technical staff. This includes facilitating clarity on requirements and ensuring documentation and procedures are followed as permitted under federal policy. Working with federal policy makers to secure funding to match the FIFA legacy fund in support of Canada Soccer’s new National Training and Development Centre. The centre will serve as a world-class facility for player and coach development, high-performance training, and community programming. The objective is to align the project with government priorities related to sport participation, youth development, infrastructure investment, and Canada’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Discussions may include funding programs, contribution agreements, eligibility criteria, timelines, and partnership models to advance the project’s approval and financing.

Engagement with federal departments and agencies regarding procurement processes, vendor qualification, and contracting opportunities related to AI hardware and compute infrastructure, including interactions. Engagement with federal officials in respect of potential funding support for advanced AI infrastructure projects, including a Markham-based AI development data centre and a large-scale commercial AI data centre developed through consortium partnerships, under the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), the AI Sovereign Infrastructure Fund, and other federal programs such as FedDev Ontario and dual-use defence innovation initiatives, including discussions related to eligibility, program structuring, and participation. Engagement with federal officials regarding policies and strategic initiatives related to sovereign AI infrastructure, secure semiconductor supply chains, data sovereignty, and dual-use innovation, including positioning of Canadian-based AI hardware development and the role of domestic firms in supporting national competitiveness and defence objectives.

Federal tax policy and regulatory matters concerning the application of GST/HST to mutual fund trailing commissions. Engagement regarding implementation timelines, administrative guidance, and related impacts on financial services firms and investors. Digital Services Taxes and the introduction of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 899 included in a recent Bill passed through the United States House of Representatives. Discussion of taxation policy for financial institutions relating to dividends, share buybacks, and general corporate tax rates. Working with policy makers to ensure adequate pension and retirement products and services are available to Canadians. To ensure that the needs of the financial sector in matters related to human resources as well as its capacity to service customers are properly reflected in legislation, policies and regulations in the context of the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis. The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act with respect to privacy, customer data, and data security Seeking to raise awareness about prescription drug coverage policy considerations and concerns in context of national universal pharmacare proposals directly and as a participant in the Together for Better Health Coalition. Other related initiatives include high cost drugs for rare disease and PMPRB regulations Review of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act as it relates to insurance contracts. Healthcare policy and potential legislation relating to employee benefit programs and the cost of pharmaceuticals, and healthcare policy related to virtual care services Guidelines of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions as they relate to insurance companies. Federal Financial Services legislation review, with respect to Financial Institutions policies, infrastructure, open banking, and financial technology Clarification of Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) with respect to the treatment of financial services.

Communicating with federal public office holders regarding matters related to artificial intelligence, including potential regulation of AI, applications of AI in government operations, federal investments in AI research and deployment, and technological developments that impact Canada’s digital economy. Communications may also address AI literacy, workforce training, and skills development, as well as the development, implementation, and amendment of Canadian AI policies and frameworks. Broader discussions may include policies and programs that support the responsible adoption and ethical use of AI, along with cloud computing and secure and sovereign digital infrastructure to advance the competitiveness of the Canadian economy. Seeking government contracting opportunities related to Dell's suite of technology solutions such as cloud, data centres, and work load migration while updating Government of Canada officials on key technology developments in areas where Dell is already a service provider/vendor of record. Working with the Government of Canada on IT procurement reform and the delivery of technology services, specifically opportunities to increase the productivity and efficiency of technology services and spend.

Project Optimism: we will communicate with public office holders regarding Project OPTIMISM, a proposed national quantum computing and advanced semiconductor manufacturing initiative. Communications will relate to federal funding programs, defence and national security applications, innovation policy, industrial development, and talent pathways needed to build a sovereign quantum ecosystem in Canada. National Semiconductor Strategy: explaining our firms use of semiconductor manufacturing technologies from foreign suppliers, and encouraging the federal government to invest in domestic production capabilities for silicon photonic integrated circuits. National Quantum Computing Strategy - explaining our firms plans for cooperation with the Canadian public and private sectors to explore quantum computing through a sandbox or publicly supported virtual platform, and requesting government support. Requesting more education and training around quantum computing. Explaining our long term plan to build large scale quantum computers in Canada.

Foster Moore has developed a proof of concept digital asset register, with a specific application to defence supply chains. The register helps mitigate vulnerabilities in military procurement networks, such as fraudulent vendors, phishing scams, and counterfeit parts. The company is interested in working with Defence Research and Development Canada on this platform. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are seeking to develop a digital asset solution to facilitate the seizure and storage of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from multiple public blockchains. The Government of Canada is consulting stakeholders on the possible creation of a foreign agent registry as a means of preventing outside interference in Canadian affairs. Foster Moore is a global leader in developing and implementing Occupational Registries (ORs) and has subject matter expertise in this area. Foster Moore is seeking a contract to provide an alternative service delivery model for the implementation of a publicly accessible federal beneficial ownership registry. Foster Moore is pursuing an alternative service delivery model for the modernization and renewal of the Corporations Canada business registry.

Engage with relevant federal departments and officials to advance MintInk’s tariff remission requests, including discussing the status of the applications, outlining the business and economic impacts of timely approval, providing information to support government assessment, and ensuring that the process and associated requirements are understood and followed so that decisions can be made on an efficient timeline.

Engaging with federal officials at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and related departments regarding the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy and Program, including potential roles for Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) in supporting ITB-eligible innovation, supply chain, and workforce development activities involving Canadian manufacturers, technology firms, and SMEs. Defence procurement policy designed to enhance the participation of Canadian?based small and medium?sized enterprises in advanced manufacturing activities supporting government military procurement programs. Adoption, commercialization, and governance around Artificial Intelligence. Renewing funding of the Global Innovation Cluster Initiative delivered by ISED Canada after the program expires.

To bring awareness to the OneClose mortgage product solution and reflect industry experience on government programs to increase housing supply. Secure regulatory approval to confirm the OneClose mortgage loan complies with existing federal legislation governing mortgage insurance. This includes potential amendments to the Protection of Residential Mortgage or Hypothecary Insurance Act.

Engaging government regarding the implementation of software and software-related services, information management, and information technology for payroll and human resource solutions.

Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR): Advocacy respecting the implementation of the Clean Fuel Regulations, including policies affecting renewable natural gas credit markets, support for Canadian renewable natural gas infrastructure, treatment of domestic and imported compliance credits, and measures to strengthen investment in Canada’s clean fuels sector. The Convertus Group is evaluating a potential capital investment to construct an organic waste processing facility in York Region. This facility will process green bin waste that will produce biofuel and replace York Region’s existing method of transporting the waste to different facilities outside its borders. Convertus is planning to develop an anaerobic facility that will produce biogas, which will be converted to renewable biofuel and injected into a local utility grid. The company is looking to partner with the Government of Canada on this investment. The Convertus Group is considering an expansion of its Nanaimo, BC facility. They are seeking to partner with the Government of Canada in securing financial support to acquire new machinery and equipment to improve the operations of the Nanaimo facility. Financial support will improve operational efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Working with the Government of Canada to successfully implement its Budget 2023 plan to reduce spending on professional services. Working with the Government of Canada to reform procurement policies to ensure value-for-money for professional services, including services related to research and benchmarking. Working with Parliamentarians to assist them in better understanding emerging technologies and the potential impacts these technologies may have on public policy and civil society.

VEHICLE THEFT: Communicating with government officials about vehicle thefts across Canada, including measures to limit vehicle theft. The goal of these communications is, in part, to ensure cross-departmental coordination in addressing the issue. USA BILLS: Communicating with government officials about American infrastructure and reconciliation bills, including electric vehicle ("EV") tax credit provisions, which will impact Canadian manufacturing sector and make Canadian-made EVs uncompetitive. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Communicating with government officials about the processing of travel documents, more specifically visas. TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP ("TPP") AGREEMENT: Communicating with government officials about the TPP Agreement, more specifically relaying the need for fair, equitable and transparent trade agreements on a multi-lateral basis. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND ("SIF"): Communicating with government officials about funding under the Strategic Innovation Fund, more specifically ensuring funding advances the competitiveness of automobile manufacturing in Canada. REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Communicating with government officials about regional economic development programs and funding, including those offered by the Federal Economic Development Agency. OUTPUT BASED PRICING SYSTEM: Communicating with government officials about the Output Based Pricing System (established under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act), more specifically providing expert industry input on the development of the pricing system. NATIONAL ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLE STRATEGY: Communicating with government officials about the National Zero-Emissions Vehicle Strategy, more specifically (i) providing expert industry input on the strategy and (ii) participating in various advisory groups. These communications will involve discussions about infrastructure, incentives, supply, and public awareness. MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT: Communicating with government officials about the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, more specifically (i) alignment with American safety standards, (ii) flexibility on regulations for vehicles, (iii) target setting for greenhouse gas emissions and (iv) improved recall completion rates. MEASURES AGAINST FORCED AND CHILD LABOUR: Communicating with government officials about measures to eliminate forced and child labour, more specifically (i) monitoring legislative and regulatory developments to increase supply chain transparency and (ii) ensuring industry has enough time to comply with future supply chain transparency obligations. LUXURY TAX: Communicating with government officials about luxury taxes, more specifically (i) ensuring luxury taxes are removed from electric vehicles ("EVs"), (ii) ensuring luxury taxes are removed (or reduced) on recreational boats and (iii) ensuring luxury taxes do not conflict with other government measures, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. INVESTMENT TAX INCENTIVES: Communicating with government officials about investment tax incentives under the Income Tax Act, including the Investment Tax Credit ("ITC"). INTERNATIONAL TRADE: Communicating with government officials about international trade, more specifically trade issues related to the automotive industry and automotive manufacturing, including potential tariffs on automotive parts and batteries. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WORK: Communicating with government officials about international students, more specifically eligibility for off-campus work during studies at a designated learning institutions (“DLIs”). INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (USA): Communicating with government officials about industry’s views on the effect of the Inflation Reduction Act (USA) on Canada’s competitive landscape and its ability to attract investments. HARMONIZED GHG REGULATIONS: Communicating with government officials about harmonized greenhouse gas regulations, more specifically ensuring Canadian regulations are aligned with American regulations. ELECTRIC VEHICHLE ("EV") INFRA