Amber Gillan

Promoting Business Sustainability and Industry Competitiveness – TIAC promotes optimal forms of government intervention that support the competitiveness of Canada’s tourism companies via public grants, tax credits, repayable financing contributions and policies and programs that augment entrepreneurship, innovation and commercial protections. During this critical period as the sector looks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, TIAC is working to ensure that government loans provided through the CEBA, RRRF, HASCAP and related initiatives have an optimal impact through guidelines and repayment conditions that are conducive to business growth. Improving Access for Visitors to and within Canada – TIAC supports the efficient movement of travellers to and within Canada through enhancements to the visitor visa process in order to meet international demand for travel to Canada. TIAC also works to ensure that regulations and policies related to transportation, air travel, waterways and ports of entry are developed and implemented to optimally connect, and not impede, domestic and international travellers to urban and rural destinations, key attractions, sporting events, and business meetings in Canada. Developing and Promoting World-class Tourism Assets – Ensuring Canada maintains and promotes the development of world-class tourism assets requires considerable investment from both public and private sources. TIAC advocates for continued investment, particularly in respect to under-serviced communities, and effective promotion of existing assets as well as the development of new, more competitive ones for both Canadian and world travellers to discover and experience. TIAC’s efforts on this front include monitoring and raising policy issues that directly affect Indigenous tourism development with a goal of empowering Indigenous communities in generating their own economies while also providing Canadians and foreign visitors alike the opportunity to connect with Indigenous peoples and to experience their unique and diverse culture in a deeply meaningful way. Building a Regenerative and Inclusive Tourism Industry – TIAC works with government to support a tourism sector that is more resilient, sustainable, and equitable through priority investment in regenerative tourism and specialized recruitment programs for equity seeking groups. Attracting and Retaining a Sustainable Tourism Workforce – TIAC supports the creation and optimization of policy and programs aimed at addressing the significant labour shortages that now exist in the tourism sector due to the affects of restrictive public health measures, border closures, and increased operational costs that were related to the COVID-19 pandemic. TIAC also advocates for a strong tourism workforce via regulations and policies in regard to immigration, including issues related to pathways to permanent-residency and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Discussing the development and implementation of measures to eliminate forced labour in supply chains. Discussing aerospace industry skilled labour requirements, including government immigration and employment support programs. Strategic Response Fund (SRF) – this program administered by ISED Canada co-invests with Canadian aerospace companies in funding their Research & Development (R&D) projects. AIAC advocates to ensure that the program’s mandate, funding level, and investment terms and conditions align to the R&D financing needs of Canadian aerospace companies and that they are equivalent to what other countries provide their aerospace companies. Strategic Response Fund (SRF) - proposal to support the development of an ecosystem in Canada by providing an environment for the pursuit of collaborative projects. Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy – AIAC advocates to the government for a policy framework and eligibility rules that ensure high quality industrial benefits are placed into Canada by the primes. Discussing regional development in the province of British Columbia. Discussing the aerospace industry perspective on international trade negotiations and agreements to ensure their effectiveness. Discussing Canadian export controls and trade measures, including the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, to provide the industry’s perspective and ensure their effectiveness. Discussing how Transport Canada can improve its resources and governance structure for civil aviation, including improvements to certification processes and alignment with bilateral partners. Communications regarding the implementation of the Defence Industrial Strategy, including related policies, programs, regulations and legislation which support production capacity of the aerospace industry in Canada, increase supports for export opportunities and development of international markets. Ensuring the Defence Industrial Strategy implementation, including related policies, programs, regulations and legislation supports the growth of the aerospace industry in Canada. Advocate on current or future environmental, legislation, policy or regulations of potential impact. The Aeronautics Act and Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) - AIAC advocates for internationally harmonized implementation of regulations to get the highest practical level of safety and to keep Canadian industry economically competitive. Taxation Policy – AIAC advocates for a taxation policy regime that strengthens Canada as a place for new aerospace investment and for growing existing aerospace businesses. e.g. lowering of corporate taxation rates, allowing for greater and accelerated write-up of the purchase of new capital and equipment. Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SRED) Tax Credit – this program administered by Revenue Canada provides a tax credit to companies in proportion to their investments in Research & Development. AIAC advocates for eligibility rules and terms and conditions that meet the needs of Canadian aerospace companies regardless of their public or private ownership. Safety Management System (SMS) - The development of an internationally-recognized SMS Standard consistent with Annex 19. Obtain support from relevant government departments in dealing with the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure fairness to Canadian companies. Export Financing – Export Development Canada provides financing assistance to foreign buyers of Canadian products and systems. AIAC advocates for adequate financing support of aerospace exports and that the program's terms and conditions are aligned to market circumstances as well as keeping Canada's industry competitive internationally. Enhancement and growth of the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council to cover all aviation human resource issues with particular focus on aerospace manufacturing, human resource issues; to include possible funding and activities Employment Insurance Policy – administered by Emp

Canadian Heritage: Discussion with Government officials with respect to available museum-related program funding. Requested funding would be used to support operations of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame charitable museum and education programs.

Engagement with respect to the debate, adoption and implementation of Bill C-52, The Air Transportation Accountability Act Maintaining and expanding the resource base for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) services at air borders. Establishing effective parameters for the Regional Air Transportation Initiative, in the context of operational priorities of regional airports Ensuring reasonable assessment and application of airport rent policy, fees and taxes for Canadian airports Ensuring financial and operational stability for airports during COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Determining program eligibility and operating criteria for the Airport Capital Assistance Program, the Airport Critical Infrastructure Program, and the Airport Relief Fund Contribute to the implementation framework for the Airport Biosecurity Infrastructure Fund in the context of the government’s strategy on airport safety and security Communicating support for increased and expanded bilateral air agreements for Canada. Securing observer or neutral party status within bilateral discussions. Aeronautics Act– advocacy with respect to legislative implementation via regulations

CFIB supports the principle behind the Canada Jobs Grant but encourages flexibility in its implementation and consideration of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)' needs. For example, introducing a permanent refundable tax credits for co-op and internship hires and reducing red tape from programs like Canada Summer Jobs to make it easier for small businesses to continue hiring youth. Advocating on behalf of small and medium-sized businesses to facilitate trade between Canada and other countries (CAN-US tariffs, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Chinese tariffs). Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shares its suggestions for Budget 2026 focusing on: reducing the small business tax rate from 9% to 6% and increasing the small business deduction (SBD) threshold to $700,000 and index it to inflation going forward. Canada is experiencing an “entrepreneurial drought”: a sustained period where business closures consistently outpace new business starts, leading to a shrinking entrepreneurial base and declining confidence in entrepreneurship. CFIB recommends that reversing this trend should be treated as a national economic priority. Sharing small businesses' views on Labour Code changes, impact on small businesses and the need to ensure the fluidity of the supply chain. Sharing survey results on improving CFIA customer service to encourage the review of their operations to better meet the needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) - reducing red tape and facilitating food mobility within Canada. Sharing data information and recommendations related to the state of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) overall and for specific sectors which could also include provincial data. Promoting reforms to the Competition Act that will ensure small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete in today’s economy, especially as small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have noted an increase in large corporate giants within Canada. Shipping costs pose a significant barrier for small business, as such we continue to advocate for favourable shipping rates with carriers (including the cost of shipping along with better service levels and addressing the work stoppage at Canada Post). Presenting the views of small business owners based on our survey data to the Canada Revenue Agency to share ways of improving customer service interactions with small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to ease the tax burden on small business owners as well as increase accountability within the agency. CFIB continues to monitor the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Act on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and other issues raised related to the mandate of Health Canada. We also continue to monitor customer service interactions between our members and Health Canada. Any issues are raised with officials. CFIB advocates for simplification to the federal procurement process on behalf of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Lobbying to reduce Red Tape by focusing on removing interprovincial trade barriers, facilitating labour mobility and improving government customer service. This includes providing input for the consultations on the Annual Regulatory Modernization Bill. Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax Administration with regards to Transitional Rules, Out of Province Sales Rules, Point-of-Sale Rebate, and fillings. Retirement Income Policies, and proposed Canada Pension Plan increases. CFIB is against mandatory increases in Canada Pension Plan, and has provided alternative approaches. CFIB has also shared recommendations to reduce disincentives to work for older workers. Presenting the views of small business owners on infrastructure spending through member survey results, mandate votes and other CFIB research. Offering funding solutions and alternatives to government proposals on transit and infrastructure expansion. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

Funding assistance for the rehabilitation of the Fredericton International Airport's primary runway to begin in the summer of 2026.

Funding assistance for the rehabilitation of the Fredericton International Airport's primary runway to begin in the summer of 2026.

International trade benefitting grain farmers, ensuring that exports of grain and grain products and imports of essential equipment and inputs remain tariff-free. Grain research and development, particularly ensuring that AAFC is properly staffed and resourced, continues downstream research, return to former levels of research funding, and modernize their R&D infrastructure and technology. Business Risk Management (BRM) programs, particularly AgriStability, AgriInvest and AgriRecovery, ensuring these programs provide farmers with a sufficient safety net and tools to mitigate financial losses and protect farm viability. Trade-enabling infrastructure, advocating for investments in infrastructure essential to the export of Canadian grain and grain products. Health Canada Food and Drug Regulations as they relate to mandatory nutrition labeling, health claims involving cereal grains, oilseeds and pulse crops, Genetically Modified food labeling. Viterra-Bunge merger, sharing concerns from grain farmers regarding the proposed acquisition. Canada Grain Act, seeking to enhance producer protections, bolster the producer payment security program, and increase data requirement functions. Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, with respect to trade distorting impacts. Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, with respect to supporting farmer competitiveness and further enabling farmers' role as climate solution providers. Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS), ensuring that the strategy is fully funded, does not include any targets without data and helps to grow food production to meet increasing domestic and global demand. Right to repair to ensure that grain farmers can access diagnostics software to repair their equipment. Pesticide Management Review Agency regulations in regards to the Own Use Import and the Grower Requested Own Use programs. Pesticide Management Review Agency regulations in regards to Minor Use Pesticide Program including new pesticides, minor uses and amended labelling for usage. Capital Gains Inclusion Rate, specifically as it relates to intergenerational transfers and family farms. Canada Labour Code, and regulations specifically related to grain handling and transportation. Agricultural trade negotiations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Canada-India, Canada-China, with respect to more export market opportunities for grain farmers. Advocating for a fair and efficient railway transportation system that serves the needs of grain producers.

Advocating for federal support and policies to develop and deploy Small Modular Rectors and promote the nuclear industry to meet Canada's Climate change goals within Canada and assist Canada in its transition to a low carbon economy Bill C-65 - an Act to amend the Canada Elections Act - advocating for amendments to the legislation to allow membership based organizations to be able to have member to member communication during a Federal Election which maybe currently prohibited Conversations with Government and elected officials regarding the use of Temporary Foreign Workers at Stellantis plant in Ontario Foreign Workers Program - with respect to Foreign Credentials and Temporary Workers Federal Budget - with respect to infrastructure funding, tax incentives for skilled labour and funding for union training centres. Discussions on the Employment Insurance system and positive changes that can be made to better protect workers. Conversations with Government around their framework on the Oil and Gas emmissions cap and the impact it may have on workers and the idea of using some of the funds from the cap to go to training for existing and emerging new energy sectors Conversations with Government and elected officials regarding the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) review of possible expansion and future viability of the Baffinland Mine and the impact these matters have on the workers (our members) at the mine. C-59 - An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 21, 2023 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023 - advocating for the quick passage of this legislation Amendments to the Red Seal Program with respect to criteria of certification Advocating that Elections Canada amend or clarify rules around unions ability to communicate with their members during a Federal Election Advocating on behalf of ARC Nuclear Canada Inc. to receive funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) or any Federal Government funding to assist them in building small modular nuclear reactors in Canada. Advocating for increased funding to the apprenticeship incentive grant and completion grant and the Union Innovation Training Program (UTIP) Advocating for Implementation of a national, universal pharmacare program Advocating for a program to promote labour mobility between areas of higher unemployment and labour shortages. This program would grant favoured tax status to participants (workers) in the construction and maintenance sector travelling to obtain full time employment in a trade deemed to be experiencing labour shortages. Advocate for legislation to support the future and livelihood of oil and gas workers and their communities for a Just Transition as Canada moves to a low-carbon economy.

WCT has over 30 years’ experience advancing women in digitally driven workplaces. The organization is seeking funding from the federal government to support their work to close the gender gap and champion opportunities for women and business through equality and inclusion.