Blake Richards

Support for the hotel industry (taxation, marketing, workforce) Advocating for $10 million in funding annually over four years for the International Convention Attraction Fund to strengthen Canada’s ability to compete for high-value global events. Domestic workforce strategy, better alignment of youth employment programs with the hotel industry, connecting newcomers to hotel career Building a competitive investment climate through targeted fiscal measures to stimulate private sector investment in hotels Ensure the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is responsive to labour market needs Access to CMHC financing for mixed use hotel/housing developments, higher Capital Cost Allowance rate for staff housing Fraudulent Hotel Bookings through temporary resident visa applications Transportation - proposed new international bilateral air routes with Canada. Consideration of airport rents at formerly owned federal airports across Canada. Regulations and policies regarding fees to SOCAN and Re:Sound Engage with the Federal Government on proposed new or amended taxation laws with respect to short-term accommodations.

Transportation - proposed new international bilateral air routes with Canada. Consideration of airport rents at formerly owned federal airports across Canada. Tourism - Canadian Tourism Commission Budget as announced in the 2010 Federal Budget. Development of the proposed Federal Tourism Strategy as announced by the Prime Minister in June 2009. Taxation and Finance - Ammendments to the Foreign Convention Tour and Incentive Program. Regulations and policies regarding fees to SOCAN and Re:Sound Immigration Canada - Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program. Engage with the Federal Government on proposed new or amended taxation laws with respect to short-term accommodations. Employment and Training - Support for the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. Criminal Code regulations pertaining to impaired driving Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic - Seeking changes on EI reform. Ensuring access to financial impact measures. Monitoring developments and assessing impacts on members.

TIAC advocates for the continuation of the International Convention Attraction Fund Promoting a strong recreation and entertainment industry- A competitive tourism sector includes local and national cultural, heritage and sporting events, as wells as arts and heritage institutions that draw visitors and provide an economic driver for local communities. TIAC values the government's partnership in promoting and supporting a vibrant recreation and entertainment industry. Ensuring a diverse and equatable tourism sector - 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 Tourism Industry – TIAC works with government to support a tourism sector that is more resilient and sustainable through priority investment in regenerative and eco-tourism. Transportation and connectivity - 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. Access for Visitors to Canada – TIAC supports the efficient movement of travellers to and within Canada through enhancements to temporary residency policies and entry program requirements (including the visitor visa and electronic travel authorization processes) in order to meet international demand for travel to Canada. Promoting Industry Competitiveness – TIAC promotes optimal support for the competitiveness of Canada’s tourism companies via public grants, tax credits, repayable financing contributions and policies and programs that augment entrepreneurship, innovation and investment. Attracting and Retaining a Strong Tourism Workforce – TIAC supports the creation and optimization of policy and programs aimed at building a robust and diverse workforce across the country and redressing labour volatility. TIAC also advocates for a strong tourism workforce via regulations and policies in regard to employment, housing, and immigration.

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.

TIAC will work to improve Canada's competitiveness of Canada's aviation sector and the important role it serves in economic development and job creation. TIAC supports efforts to expand the number and scope of Canada's air liberalization agreements however Canada's ability to attract international business and leisure travellers is impeded, in part, by the layers of taxes, fees and levies imposed on the traveling public. TIAC is working to reform Canada's aviation cost structure. TIAC advocates for the reduction and elimination of fees related to air travel including airport rents and CATSA fees paid for by travellers TIAC advocates for a permanent-residency path as a part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and an industry focused Municipal Nominee Program Immigration Seeking changes on EI reform and other policy and support measures during the pandemic. Ensuring access to financial impact measures for its members. Regulations and policies in regards to marine mammals and waterways Regulations and policies in regards to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Modernizing Canada's visitor visa process in order to meet international demand for travel to Canada. These initiatives include reinvestment of visa processing fees into increased capacity, expanding transfer without visa, augmenting the Visa Application Centre ("VAC") network into new priority source markets and utilizing electronic travel authority as an alternative visa stream for lower-risk countries. Federal Tourism Strategy – supports government initiatives toward industry growth TIAC is seeking a well-funded and balanced national tourism marketing agency and will continue to work with the government to ensure that Canada's marketing efforts in mature and emerging markets are adequately funded, including co-investments with industry, and that campaigns are aligned with industry priorities. Employment/Immigration – TIAC advocates for a permanent-residency path as a part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and an industry focused Municipal Nominee Program Immigration - Modernizing Canada's visitor visa process in order to meet international demand for travel to Canada. These initiatives include reinvestment of visa processing fees into increased capacity, expanding transfer without visa, augmenting the Visa Application Centre ("VAC") network into new priority source markets and utilizing electronic travel authority as an alternative visa stream for lower-risk countries Transportation – TIAC advocates for the reduction and elimination of fees related to air travel including airport rents and CATSA fees paid for by travellers A Tax Incentive Program as it pertains to inbound leisure travel to Canada. This program provides GST relief to volume leisure tour groups and meetings and conventions being held in Canada. Advocating for the implementation of a Canadian Travel Incentive Program to encourage domestic travel recovery.

Program funding for youth and heritage projects, through Museums Assistance Program and Youth Take Charge. Budget 2025-2026, with respect to commemorative funding from Veterans Affairs for digital initiatives leading up to the celebration of Vimy 110 in 2027. Wearing of Vimy pins by the House each March and April to mark Vimy Day on 9th April.

Governmental policy towards medical cannabis research, product quality standards, medical cost coverage, and displacement of harder and more addictive drugs Regulations affiliated with Bill C- 45 regarding the legalization of cannabis. Formerly known as Bill C-45: An Act Respecting Cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts. Formerly known as Bill C-45: An Act Respecting Cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts. Cannabis Act SC 2018 S16 Cannabis Act; phased implementation of the Act and its impact on medical patients; development of regulations for the industry and the resulting tax implications of these regulations. Canada's policy regarding the rules governing the legalization of marijuana

Regulations affiliated with Bill C- 45 regarding the legalization of cannabis. Formerly known as Bill C-45: An Act Respecting Cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts. Governmental policy towards medical cannabis research, product quality standards, medical cost coverage, and displacement of harder and more addictive drugs Formerly known as Bill C-45: An Act Respecting Cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts. Cannabis Act SC 2018 S16 Cannabis Act; phased implementation of the Act and its impact on medical patients; development of regulations for the industry and the resulting tax implications of these regulations. Canada's policy regarding the rules governing the legalization of marijuana

Discussions with government concerning regulation, policies and programs concerning veteran employment as it relates to the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires' social mandate to support veterans through meaningful employment, and other areas of support. The focus is on how Commissionaires can support the VAC Veterans Employment Strategy through our long standing role of providing security services across government.

Proposals related to the provision of security guarding services Engaging with the federal government to ensure the continuation of the "Right of First Refusal for Guard Services contracts.

Affordable Housing Supports - as an industry, tourism is disproportionately disadvantaged to other sectors of the economy given a high housing price to income ration and therefore requires purpose-built policies and incentives to ensure the sector's future success. Sustainable Tourism within Canada's National Park System - TIAA's interests relate to sustainable investment within national parks, support of Indigenous tourism development, policy and strategic alignment between the ministries of ISED and ECCC in support of the aims of national parks to protect and present these places to Canadians. Canadian Wildfire Preparedness and Response Strategy - TIAA advocates for the establishment of a National WIldfire Task Force that aims to create a non-military forest prevention and firefighting force. TIAA also advocates for the design and funding of a program that provides predictable and scalable financial supports to individuals, businesses and communities impacted by the effects of wildfire TIAA is interested in the working with the Government of Canada to advance its federal tourism goals, as articulated in the Canada 365: Welcoming the World. Every Day. The Federal Tourism Growth Strategy TIAA is interested in ensuring that any proposed changes to labour and immigration policy support the unique needs of the tourism industry, by sector, by region and, by season. TIAA is interested in any proposed changes to policy that positively/negatively impact the ability of small-to-medium-sized tourism enterprises to compete for tourists on a regional/international scale. TIAA is interested in any changes to transportation policy or regulation that positively/negatively impact Canada's ability to compete on an international level for visitors. TIAA desires to see the cost of air travel become more competitive relative to other global markets by reducing fees, levies and taxes on air travel. TIAA desires to see Canada's tourism industry become a zero-rated export product by removing the GST on tourism products sold outside Canada to global tourists. TIAA aims to see improvements to the visa application process, ensuring that the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is available to low-risk countries. Discussions regarding the state of Canada's (and Alberta's) visitor economy amidst growing inflationary, interest rate and supply chain pressure

Development of policies and programs - or if required, regulatory amendments - to support skills, training and job growth in the aviation sector. Development of funding and policy to support inbound tourism to Canada and support market entry for WestJet's growth strategy. Accessibility policy, laws and regulations as they relate to the airline industry, including the Accessible Canada Act and all related standards and regulations. Competitiveness of the airline industry with respect to reduction in federal taxation of Air Transport Security Charge, airport ground rent, fuel excise tax, foreign ownership regulations, competition policy and all government/3rd party fees. Competitiveness of the airline industry and consumer protection policy, with specific regard to air passenger protection regulations (APPR) and cost recovery proposals Canada's international trade policy and bilateral aviation agreements and market access to and from other nations Aviation environmental policy with regard to development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), clean fuel standard, carbon pricing for aviation and green capital expenditures. Labour, as regards to the Canada Labour Code and the collective bargaining process In regard to the approval of proposed transactions under the Competition Act and the Canada Transportation Act

BUDGET: Provide CMA’s perspective on the Government of Canada’s budget, particularly as it relates to modernizing Canada’s health care system by enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and promoting equitable access to care. HARMFUL ONLINE CONTENT: Advocate to address the escalation of online harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence targeting physicians, other health workers, and anyone seeking health care treatment, including measures to strengthen the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Act. TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: provide CMA’s perspective on the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the health care sector and the means through which advancements can be foreseen and managed. HEALTH DATA INTEROPERBILITY: Provide CMA’s perspective as it relates to health data interoperability that would ensure providers have access to the right information at the right time when providing care, and improve patient outcomes and their health care experience. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING: Advancing the medical profession’s perspectives on medical assistance in dying. PAN CANADIAN LICENSURE: Advocate for the ability for physicians with full licences to practise independently without restrictions or for medical resident trainees registered in any Canadian jurisdiction to practise or train in any other Canadian jurisdiction without having to acquire more than one licence or pay additional licensing fees. This includes exploring enabling legislation in the provinces and territories. CANADA HEALTH TRANSFER: Increased federal funding for health care to the provinces and territories to ensure the sustainability of the health care system. AGEING WITH DIGNITY: Advocate for a pan-Canadian plan to improve elder care, including investments in long-term care standards, enhanced home and community-based care, and supports for older persons, an older adults care benefit program to deliver funding to older adults and caregivers to cover out of pocket health care costs, improved national standards and investment in the area of palliative and end of life care, and the development of a United Nations document supporting the rights of older persons. PUBLIC-PRIVATE HEALTHCARE: The CMA is conducting a series of in-person sessions across the country to engage key stakeholders, including the public, physicians, patients/PWLE, policymakers, system leaders and others, in a dialogue on public-private healthcare. What we hear will inform CMA policy moving forward, and our recommendations for action at a national level. PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AND ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT ACT (PIPEDA) PRIVACY PROTECTION OF HEALTH INFORMATION AND THE REGULATORY REVIEW: Improvement to privacy legislation to protect the privacy of health information. INTEGRATED HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCES: Advocate for an Integrated Health Human Resources Strategy, including creating retention incentives and addressing administrative burden for health care professionals, increasing the number of doctors and nurses and ensuring that every Canadian has access to a family doctor or primary health team, increasing access to virtual care, creating an action plan to get internationally trained health care professionals to work, improving workforce data collection across health systems and investing in a supply needs-based planning tool, and facilitating team-based health care. CANADIAN PHARMACEUTICAL STRATEGY: A national strategy to ensure all Canadian have access to safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs regardless of employment status or geography. ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN: Advocate for measures to alleviate the administrative burden on physicians and support their professional wellbeing, including investment to facilitate the development of EHRs and EMRs in Canada, improved remuneration for the completion of federal health forms, ensuring that physicians are not captured in the definition of "promoters" in the Disability Tax Credit Promoters Restrict

HEALTH DATA INTEROPERBILITY: Provide CMA’s perspective as it relates to health data interoperability that would ensure providers have access to the right information at the right time when providing care, and improve patient outcomes and their health care experience. BUDGET: Provide CMA’s perspective on the Government of Canada’s budget, particularly as it relates to modernizing Canada’s health care system by enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and promoting equitable access to care. HARMFUL ONLINE CONTENT: Advocate to address the escalation of online harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence targeting physicians, other health workers, and anyone seeking health care treatment, including measures to strengthen the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Act. TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: provide CMA’s perspective on the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the health care sector and the means through which advancements can be foreseen and managed. HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION: Increased investments in health and social-determinants-of-health related programs, including measures to address the opioid crisis, mental health and addictions, and the regulation of natural health products. ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN: Advocate for measures to alleviate the administrative burden on physicians and support their professional wellbeing, including investment to facilitate the development of EHRs and EMRs in Canada, improved remuneration for the completion of federal health forms, the development of a Federal Disability Benefit, ensuring that physicians are not captured in the definition of "promoters" in the Disability Tax Credit Promoters Restrictions Regulations, providing clarity and guidance on federal forms, and advocacy on discontinuing the requirement that employees present sick notes to their employers. The CMA is advocating that the trade of medical goods and medications be protected to avoid disruptions to patient care. Specifically, that the government: Continue to ensure pharmaceutical products and medical devices are not included in any countermeasures on tariffs. Improve safeguards for Canadian health data. Improve labour mobility so physicians can work across the country. Make it easier for qualified physicians to immigrate and work in Canada, including by fast-tracking immigration steps for US physicians. PAN CANADIAN LICENSURE: Advocate for the ability for physicians with full licences to practise independently without restrictions or for medical resident trainees registered in any Canadian jurisdiction to practise or train in any other Canadian jurisdiction without having to acquire more than one licence or pay additional licensing fees. This includes exploring enabling legislation in the provinces and territories. INTEGRATED HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCES Advocate for an Integrated Health Human Resources Strategy, including creating retention incentives and addressing administrative burden for health care professionals, increasing the number of doctors and nurses and ensuring that every Canadian has access to a family doctor or primary health team, increasing access to virtual care, creating an action plan to get internationally trained health care professionals to work, improving workforce data collection across health systems and investing in a supply needs-based planning tool, and facilitating team-based health care. MEDICAL MIS/DISINFORMATION: Provide CMA’s perspective on the impacts of medical misinformation and disinformation, including on public trust in science, medicine, and public health experts. INDIGENOUS HEALTH: Improvement to the health and health care services provided to Indigenous peoples in Canada including adding inclusive lettering on health cards across Canada. Advocating for the creation of a national Chief Health Accountability Officer. PUBLIC-PRIVATE HEALTHCARE: The CMA is conducting a series of in-person sessions across the country to engage key s

Discussions with government officials regarding the national electricity strategy and the role of propane, renewable propane and rDME in Canada, including their potential as lower-emissions, efficient fuels, in relation to environmental, energy, industry, finance, agriculture and transportation policies. Reduction in interprovincial trade barriers: to remove barriers to labour mobility and provide a national regulatory approach for propane through streamlining/harmonizing existing prov/fed regulations while ensuring the continued safety and security of the industry. Propane exports: to promote and support existing and future opportunities to export Canadian propane to new and existing foreign markets like Japan and Korea. Discussions with government officials with respect to recognizing and promoting propane, renewable propane and rDME as a cleaner burning, efficient fuels in Canada, as it relates to the environment, energy, industry, finance, agriculture and transportation. Discussions with government officials as it pertains to the effect of possible rail strikes on the energy sector in Canada. Discussions with government officials as it pertains to the transportation of propane via rail, pipeline, trucking and perhaps marine. Also the transportation of propane across Canada/U.S Border. Discussions with government as it pertains to legislation in areas such as Finance, Indigenous, Transportation, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. Aboriginal Affairs with respect to the promotion of the use of propane as a clean burning efficient fuel in First Nations communities.

Communicating with government officials regarding Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act. Communicating with government officials about taxation policy, more specifically about proposed changes to the taxation of technology companies. Communicating with with government officials about Bill C-27 (Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022), more specifically the creation of the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act, and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act Conversations with government officials related to online travel corporations and tourism in Canada.