Cara Scales

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.

Advocating for direct funding through the federal budget to support the organization's employment services, including job-matching and wrap-around supports. Setting up meetings to position ApprenticeSearch.com as a recipient of funding under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Canadian Apprenticeship Service, and the Skilled Trades Awareness Readiness Program.

The impact on employment opportunities for skilled trades workers in Canada and the effect on training opportunities. Promotion of the Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) and advocating for proposals, programs and grants to include the requirement for EVITP qualified workers to install electrical vehicle charging stations. Possible negotiations relating to the MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement and the impact it could have on manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, labour mobility, climate change, natural resources, energy, public services, health care, utility/electricity sector and labour standards. Possible negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the Pacific Alliance and the impact it could have on manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, labour mobility, climate change, natural resources, energy, public services, health care, utility/electricity sector and labour standards. Pipeline projects - discussing the benefits to the economy and employment of these type of projects in Canada Foreign Workers Program - particularly in regards to Foreign Credentials and Temporary Workers Federal Budget - with respect to infrastructure funding and tax incentives for skilled labour Economic Action Plan Knowledge Infrastructure Program - working to ensure our training centres are eligible / qualify for Knowledge Infrastructure program Discussions on the Employment Insurance system and positive changes that can be made to better protect workers. Discussions on Apprenticeship & Training, Employment and Skills Development, and the Red Seal Secretariat to continue to promote and use the Red Seal Program Assist with National Occupational Competencies analysis for various trades and occupations. Discussions around government supports for workers and the members we represent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions around concerns with Federal Government procurement practices, introduction of modern Federal Fair Wages legislation, the use of unskilled labour and under-qualified contractors. Discussion around the Public Service Superannuation Act (P.C. 2014-900 July 31, 2014) and the impact on the management of the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (Chalk River) and impact and future of the pension plan for the employees of Chalk River Climate Canada's approach to climate change, regulation of industrial pollution and monitoring of green house gas emissions like carbon. The impact on employment opportunities for skilled trades workers in Canada and the effect on training opportunities in primary and emerging industries. Bill C-50 An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy and the impacts on workers in various sectors. Bill C-49 "An Act To Amend The Canada—Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and To Make Consequential Amendments To Other Acts" with respect to labour requirements and the use of Canadian workers on the projects. Amendments to the Red Seal Program with respect to the criteria of certification Advocating on behalf of ARC Clean Energy Canada to receive funding from the Federal Government to assist them in building small modular reactors in Canada. Advocating for the federal government to use Community Benefit Agreements on public infrastructure projects Advocating for legislation that will ban employers in the Federally Regulated Private Sector from using replacement workers to perform struck work during a strike or lockout, also known as Anti-Scab legislation. Advocating for increased funding to the apprenticeship incentive grant, the completion grant and the continuation of the UTIP funding. Advocating for childcare programs that help our members in the various sectors they work in Advocating for amendments to the Income Tax Act for registered pension plans and employee benefit

Engage government on skills training for newcomers to Canada and those entering the workforce to improve resilience. Encourage government involvement in social enterprises for housing solutions in Canada. Coordinate with the federal government, municipalities, unions, and the private sector on social enterprise training models for housing development.

Advocating for enhanced coordination in relation to the Major Projects Office, major projects, and national workforce planning. General discussion with industry partners regarding workforce, training, and policy considerations relevant to major energy and infrastructure sectors. Discussion of shipbuilding industry opportunities and related workforce and policy considerations Advocating for the government to use Community Benefits Agreements/Community Employment Benefits Agreements on federally funded infrastructure projects. Advocating for the harmonization of health and safety certifications federally, and provincially, to promote skilled trades workforce mobility. Advocating for the government to fund, develop, and publish sophisticated construction labour market data on projects in the national interest to ensure skilled trades labour supply is consistent and maximizes Canadian jobs. Advocating for the implementation of labour?related conditions, including prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements, in relation to Bill C?5 infrastructure projects Advocacy in support of the Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits, including labour conditions, and their effectiveness. Advocating for increase to the labour mobility tax deduction and index it to inflation. Enhancement of the Union Training and Innovation Program with brick?and?mortar funding and reinstatement of Canadian Apprenticeship Services, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant Advocating for measures to support workers impacted by tariff-related trade impacts in the construction sector. Advocating for investments in infrastructure including in renewable technologies, nuclear energy, infrastructure, transit, and large-scale public investments. Fall Economic Statement - with respect to recommendations that support the Building Trades and construction sector. To oppose any potential tax measures to be enacted by the Federal Government on Union members or pensioners who receive a private supplemental health and dental plan which is paid for by an employer , collective bargaining agreement or pension plan. The impact on employment opportunities for skilled trades workers in Canada and the effect on training opportunities in primary and emerging industries. Temporary foreign workers - advocating for the needs of the industry including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and International Mobility Program. Pipeline projects - discussing the benefits to the economy and employment of these type of projects in Canada Legislation to implement a skilled trades workforce mobility tax deduction. Immigration - advocating for the long-term labourforce needs of the construction industry. Federal Budget - with respect to recommendations that support the Building Trades and construction sector. Apprenticeship & Training Employment and Skills Development and the Red Seal Secretariat to continue to promote and use the Red Seal Program. Advocating for childcare programs that help our members. Advocating for changes to the Employment Insurance program to better support workers. Advocacy in support of Canadian skilled trades workers on cross-border issues with respect to the United States. Advocacy for supports for displaced workers, particularly in the energy sector, as the economy transitions to Net Zero.

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.