Lobbied Canada

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Bronwyn May

Director General, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)6 communications in the past year

Lobbied by

Colleges and Institutes Canada

7

Advocate for place-based solutions to Canada’s biggest challenges, which support the region-specific mandates of public colleges and ensure local training needs are considered in policy development. Increase support to developing countries and other partner countries to build technical and vocational training capacity, strengthen skills development and education systems, and enhance Canada’s global education brand. Advocate for support for college-led research as a core component of federal research and innovation funding and policy. Discuss how colleges can support immigration programs, such as foreign credential recognition or international students, to meet Canada’s labour market needs, and share with officials impacts of policy changes on the college sector. Share with officials how colleges can support Canada’s training and workforce development needs to meet Canada’s biggest challenges. Share with officials the role of colleges and institutes in delivering high quality education for Canadians, and ensuring access to education for Canadians. Advance reconciliation through partnerships with Canada’s public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics, and Indigenous Institutes of Education. Promote the role and expertise of colleges in deepening Canada’s relationships with other countries. Promote the value of educational fair dealing in supporting colleges and institutes in their mandate to provide advanced skills and to enable them to better respond to the skills shortage. Increase investments and support to address colleges’ infrastructure needs to increase Canada’s training space and access in key high-demand fields that align with federal priority areas. Enable post-secondary institutions to obtain grants and loans to develop student housing projects, with additional supports for housing that supports students from vulnerable populations. Ensure Canada’s colleges and institutes have the necessary federal support to provide high-quality training for future healthcare professionals. Ensure the specific needs of institutions, including French institutions and those in minority linguistic communities, are taken into account when federal policies and programs are designed and delivered.

Targeted federal transfer payments for postsecondary education. Review of the SR&ED Tax Credit Program to encourage greater participation of small and medium-sized businesses and providing mechanisms for colleges and institutes to assist them in the process. Review of the Canada Student Loan Program with respect to increased grants, modernization and simplification measures and increased flexibility for students in debt repayment. Research integrity related issues with respect to the review of the federal granting agencies' policiy framework for research integrity and the Tri-Council Memorandum of Understanding on roles and Responsibilities in the Management of Federal Grants and Awards. Modification of the Employment Insurance Program to enable workers currently in the workforce to access funding for skills upgrading. Introduction of new tax measures to encourage employer/employee based training, address literacy training and essential skills as well as an increase in internships and apprenticeship opportunities. Increase domesting and international student mobility to the mid-point of other OECD countries. Increased federal investments with regard to college and institute costs of supporting applied research through the Indicrect Costs Program. Harmonization and simplification of immigration policies with respect to facilitating study and work permit processes. Federal Investment for a national college and institute mobility program for faculty and student exchanges between Francophone Institutions and Anglophone Institutions. Extension of the 100% GST exemption that has been afforded to municipalities to postsecondary institutions as recommended by the Standing Committee on Finance Expansion of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council College and Community Innovation Program Examination of all federal training programs with the goal of eliminating fragmentation, short term funding and inequities for learners. Enhancement of the federal infrastructure policy with respect to college and institute infrastructure and acquisition of leading edge technology. Enhanced opportunities for Aboriginal learners, immigrants and disadvantaged groups to access postsecondary education and training and labour market. Discussions underway with the Global Affairs Canada regarding a proposal for a new partnership between colleges and institutes and the Pacific Alliance with respect to education and training. Discussions underway with the federal government for recognition of college and institute applied degrees as equal to university degrees as stipulated in a statement by the Council of Ministers. Discussions underway with Statistics Canada for current college and institute data. Discussions underway for a new international partnership program - Education for Employment which will support educational reform of technical education in Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania. Direct 5% of federal investment in research to applied research, product development and commercialization carried out by colleges and institutes and their private sector partners Dedicated funding of college and institute facilities, technology and equipment Creation of a college and Institute Internship Program to expose more students to private sector research challenges. Changes to amend the Copyright Act with respect to support colleges and institutes in their mandate to provide advanced skills and to enable them to better respond to the skills shortage.

Polytechnics Canada

4

Tax policy affecting philanthropy, small business innovation and post-secondary institutions; tax benefits and credits for apprentices; tax benefits and credits for employers. Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, College and Community Innovation Program; tri-council structure and funding; eligibility of polytechnics and colleges for research funding and research support; Horizon Europe and opportunities for polytechnics to engage in international research partnerships. Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations. Supports, programs and policies designed to boost innovation and productivity; technology adoption; respond to skills needs; polytechnics and colleges as innovation intermediaries. Student housing; funding to support equipment purchase for training in high-demand fields, infrastructure programs geared to the post-secondary sector. Respond to consultations and advocate for change to international student policy; consider how polytechnics/colleges support inward and outward student mobility; consider international best practices for workforce development and applied research; better integration of newcomers through credential recognition, prior learning recognition and upskilling. Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects. Adequate financial support for learners through the Canada Student Loan Program and other student-centered programs; Edu-Canada marketing and branding initiatives. Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations related to productivity, business innovation, technology adoption and artificial intelligence. Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment. Canada Foundation for Innovation - Seek ongoing infrastructure support for the applied research conducted by colleges and Polytechnics.

Universities Canada

3

Discussions about financial sustainability measures for universities. Discussions about shared priorities related to universities including workforce, talent, and employment. Discussions on the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy. Government of Canada - Universities Working Group roundtable discussion on research security. Discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) funding as it relates to universities. Student housing and community enabling campus infrastructure programs. Working group meeting to discuss academic contributions to the Defence Industrial Strategy. Immigration policies and programs related to international students and affecting universities. Discussions of education and international relations opportunities. Engaging in discussions on research priorities for Canadian universities. Discussions about research policy and programs, Canada-US relations, and their impacts on the post-secondary sector Discussions about international students, the workforce, and the benefits of a university degree. Discussions about the Global Excellence Initiative (GEI) and future funding commitments. Meeting to discuss science policy and programs, impact of Canada-US relations Recent policy changes and development of other policy tools including the Recognized Institutions Framework.

Canadore College

2

Seeking funding for health care, aboriginal studies and aerospace program and facility development on campus

Seek solutions to challenges related to the international students cap. Seeking funding for health care, aboriginal studies and aerospace program and facility development on campus

Bluesky Strategy Group

Global University Systems

2

Global University Systems would like to bring to the attention of the Federal Government the contribution they make to Canada and discuss the policy relating to Student Visas. Create awareness of a documentary series created by Global University Systems.

Brock University

1

Students - investments in experiential learning opportunities for students, including co-operative education, international student mobility, international education, and investments in youth entrepreneurship and skills development. Additionally, housing and student support services. National defence and defence research; innovation and commercialization, and support, including funding, for economic development and businesses in the defence sector from FedDev Ontario and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Brock University would like to make sure that university research and infrastructure are part of the annual federal budget. Research - Brock University would like to maintain confidentiality and privacy for its researchers and applicants for federal funding. Networks of Centres of Excellence - investments in agriculture innovation now that grape and wine research qualifies for funding. Health research - research capital grants, research operating grants, and capital grants from the federal government. Economic development and social innovation - investments that facilitate partnerships and knowledge transfer between postsecondary institutions and the private, public and not-for profit sectors. Brock University would like to see research funding levels maintained or increased. Agriculture innovation - investments in agriculture innovation to support research such as state-of-the-art biomanufacturing for the development of health-centric crops for food and pharmacy and grape and wine innovation.

Navitas Canada Holdings

1

Discussion regarding international student study permit and study permit extension approval process and timelines. Discussion regarding marketing education and learning opportunities. Discussion regarding international student recruitment and retention as a key driver of regional economic development and competitiveness across Canada. Discussion regarding Canada's International Education Strategy, sharing data and comparative analysis related to international students in Canada and abroad. Discussion on Designated Learning Institution approvals for university partners.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

1

Communicating with the federal officials on developing global partnerships, in education, in research and innovation, and in entrepreneurship activities 1) Communication with various designated public office holders to inquire on the status research funding programs; and 2) Communications to various designated public office holders to advocate for continued and increased granting council funding for the sector. (SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR) Communications with various designated public office holders regarding energy policy, innovation, and new technologies. (Policies or Programs) Communications with various designated public office holders regarding investment in sector initiatives related to Arts and Culture (primarily the antisemitism institute would fall under this category) (Policies or Programs) Communications regarding federal housing policies and government initiatives to support student housing development. Communications with various designated public office holders regarding health programming and investments to further health research and population health outcomes. Communications with various designated public office holders regarding jobs, creating skills development and work-integrated learning. Communications with various designated public office holders regarding investment in science and technology Communications with various designated public office holders regarding international education and to discuss policy changes to immigration that impact students and faculty. Communications with various designated public office holders regarding adaptation and mitigation of climate change, and other environmental policies. Communications with various designated public office holders for increased investment in sector infrastructure.

University of Manitoba

1

Information sharing related to Canada’s defence policy and the opportunities for leveraging existing resourcing at UM. Advocacy for dual-use proposals. Information sharing related to opportunities for collaboration concerning development of Canada’s north, including the greater Churchill area. Advocacy for utilization of UM resources such as the Churchill Marine Observatory for Canada’s plans in Hudson’s Bay and the high arctic. Information sharing regarding UM’s research strengths and capacity to assist the Government of Canada. Information sharing on research and innovation opportunities/capacity including facilities and research focus areas. Information sharing and collaboration related to northern and arctic food security. Information sharing on UM’s research strengths in designing resilient all-weather roads and rail-line relocations that improve northern connectivity while minimizing impacts on local wildlife and traditional ways of life. Information sharing and advocacy for support regarding UM’s work with Indigenous communities to increase access and opportunities for Indigenous learners in Manitoba. Advocacy of proposals related to the Build Strong Communities Fund. Advocacy for federal, long-term solution to address challenges experienced by dental college and clinic since the onset of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDPC). Advocacy for changes to immigration policy limiting the number of international students Canada accepts, and advocacy to address the consequences of Canada’s diminished international reputation. Advocacy and information sharing on opportunities for fostering a collaborative and impactful innovation ecosystem that supports researchers, the institutions they represent, and commercialization of ideas and property. Support, advocacy and information sharing related to the mandate of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s ongoing activities. Accessing Government records and archives related to residential schools. Advocacy for support for annual events and programming.

University of Saskatchewan

1

Seek funding and support for the institution’s teaching, and research and development enterprise in life sciences, basic and applied sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts and mental health. Support for the implementation and operation of the Canada Water Agency Support for institutional compliance with federal research security requirements. Seek program development and support for Indigenous-led research Seeking program development for career opportunities for Indigenous post-secondary graduates Seeking greater efficiencies and continued funding of the Canada Student Loan Program Seek funding for international opportunities in student experience through academic exchanges, study abroad and international student visits to Canada Secure funding for Major Science Infrastructure Policy development and research funding for knowledge transfer and the commercialization of research Increase federal funding to the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program and other national initiatives in support of graduate students Funding for research and campus infrastructure Funding for internships, fellowships and student work-integrated learning Facilitation of improved policies that impact international students and other highly qualified personnel Discuss post-secondary institutions' role in securing Canada's water future through education and research. Discuss post-secondary institutions' role in securing Canada's energy future through research and teaching. Development of a national program for the provision of long-term operating funding for major science initiatives like the Canadian Light Source (CLS) and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) Continue and increase funding to the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) in order to maintain an internationally competitive research and development infrastructure. Continue and increase funding to the Indirect Costs of Research Program in order to maintain an internationally competitive research and development infrastructure Continue and increase funding to the Canada Foundation for Innovation in order to maintain an internationally competitive research and development infrastructure. Budget bills in support of the federal role in post-secondary education, research and the science and technology framework

Recent activity

Jun 17, 2026
May 27, 2026
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