Benoit Cadieux

Blue Branch is seeking funding opportunities for utilizing labour mobility to strengthen workforce development in critical mineral projects. Engaging federal departments to seek further information and funding opportunities to continue moving Internationally Educated Health Care Professionals into rural and remote communities through a labour mobility approach. Blue Branch is looking to help tackle the labour crisis by connecting skilled workers with employers using “supercommuting,” a model that encourages workers to travel for work for stints of time while not forcing them to uproot their lives. In an effort to increase the uptake of labour mobility and facilitate the movement of workers, Blue Branch is seeking to work with government to address barriers such as housing, skilled trade shortages, and construction.

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, (ii) participating in various advisory groups and (iii) participating in the government review and any future activities related to this topic. These communications will involve discussions about design, infrastructure, incentives, supply, and public awareness. NEW MARKET ENTRANTS: Communicating with government officials about new market entrants into Canada, including ensuring there is a level playing field with automakers regarding the sale and assembly of vehicles in Canada. INTERNATIONAL TRADE: Communicating with government officials about international trade, trade issues and support measures related to the automotive industry and automotive manufacturing, including potential tariffs on automobiles, automotive parts and batteries. GHG REGULATIONS: Communicating with government officials about greenhouse gas regulations and any related consultations with respect to the current or future Canadian standards. COMPETITIVENESS AND ECONOMIC & TRADE UNCERTAINTY: Communicating with government officials about potential support, policies and programs, including but not limited to the Auto Strategy and its pillars, Employment Insurance (EI), preventing labour disruptions (and to re-train employees) and maintain manufacturing competitiveness given the current economic and trade uncertainty. STRATEGIC RESPONSE FUND (SRF) AND STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND ("SIF"): Communicating with government officials about funding under the Strategic Innovation Fund and the newly created Strategic Response Fund, to ensure and maintain 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. BANK ACT: Communicating with the Government of Canada about the statutory review of the Bank Act, SC 1991, c. 46, more specifically about vehicle leasing. 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. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Communicating with government officials about the processing of travel documents, more specifically visas. 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 STUDENT WORK: Communicating with government officials about international students, more specifically eligibility for off-campus work during studies at a designated learning institutions (“DLIs”). ELECTRIC VEHICHLE ("EV") INFRASTRUCTURE: Communicating with government officia