Carolyn Dittburner

FedDev Ontario funding under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative and funding through DMAC to purchase our drones and donate back to Ukraine. High-level discussions to advise on how defence procurement policy can (1) enhance capacity for domestic manufacturing of single and dual use remotely piloted aircraft systems, and (2) facilitate the sale and export of such technology to allied nations.

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.

Advocacy related to university engagement in Canadian priorities in artificial intelligence, data systems and related computing science and energy subjects, including but not limited to specific calls for proposals. Advocacy for university initiatives related to Canadian priorities across the defence spectrum, including initiatives relevant to both Defence and Veterans' Affairs, among other federal departments. Advocacy to enhance support for university research mobilization and commercialization activities. Research security, with respect to international research partnerships Discussions with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and other relevant departments and agencies regarding the role of universities in supporting federal innovation initiatives, policies and programs. Discussions regarding research and development initiatives and federal support related to energy and environment, and climate change research, innovation, commercialization, talent and knowledge mobilization. Discussions regarding official language funding amounts and mechanisms. Discussions about the Copyright Act and details of its implementation in a post-secondary setting. Advocacy to secure support in the budget for post-secondary education, research, innovation, and science and technology. Advocacy to secure federal support to develop and upgrade university infrastructure, including but not limited to research and learning facilities, digital infrastructure, and transit infrastructure. Advocacy to increase support for university research, including research funding and granting programs administered by the tri-agencies (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR) and other departments and agencies. Advocacy to improve immigration policies and programs for prospective and current university students, faculty, and staff. Advocacy to ensure that proposals to develop or amend federal legislation, regulations, policies or programs that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary system reflect the needs of universities and support our research and education mission. Advocacy to enhance student supports, including but no limited to Canada Student Grants and Loans, the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program, supports for Indigenous students, and work-integrated learning programs. Advocacy to advance Canadian leadership in priority areas to support world class research, talent attraction and retention, and knowledge mobilization. Advocacy related to reconciliation efforts, including but not limited to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action