Catherine Blewett

Changes to the Competition Act and their implementation. Trade and/or shipment of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas between/within Canada and/or the United States. Development of regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA): Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Clean Electricity Oil and Gas Emissions Methane Base-level Industrial Emission Requirements Development of air pollutant, greenhouse gas and other energy transition policies and programs. Clean Fuel Regulations (SOR/2022-140) and their implementation, in particular plans related to the implementation of these regulations in Canada's Atlantic Provinces

Clean Fuel Regulations (SOR/2022-140) and their implementation, in particular plans related to the implementation of these regulations in Canada's Atlantic Provinces Development of air pollutant, Green House Gas and other energy transition policies and programs. Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). CUSMA Free Trade Agreement: Trade of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas between Canada and the United States. Canadian Energy Strategy: Interest in aspects related to how energy is produced, transported, marketed, and consumed in Canada and internationally. The Federal Carbon Pricing Backstop and the proposed output-based pricing system.

Development of air pollutant, Green House Gas and other energy transition policies and programs. The Federal Carbon Pricing Backstop and the proposed output-based pricing system. CUSMA Free Trade Agreement: Trade of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas between Canada and the United States. Canadian Energy Strategy: Interest in aspects related to how energy is produced, transported, marketed, and consumed in Canada and internationally. Clean Fuel Regulations (SOR/2022-140) and their implementation, in particular plans related to the implementation of these regulations in Canada's Atlantic Provinces Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

We engage with various elected and staff officials in the federal government on issues relevant to urban life, including the governance and financing of municipal governments. and specific federal funding and policies that affect urban life, including housing, mental health, economic development, small businesses, land use, infrastructure, urban planning and design, heritage, support for tourism and culture, immigration, skills development and employment, climate, and equity, the health of neighborhoods and downtowns as places. This has been particularly true during COVID.

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.

Trade Policy, with respect to BlackBerry market access issues experienced internationally, specifically tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers Strategic Innovation Fund, specifically application for funding for corporate R&D project Investment Canada Act - specifically with respect to technologies Intellectual property - specifically related to IP policies that encourage private investment in development of technologies that support supply chain resiliency Innovation - discussions regarding the Canadian government's Innovation Agenda; including programs government may be considering to foster innovation in the Canadian ICT industry (e.g. skills & training, centres of excellence, R&D funding and incentives, government use of technology) Income Tax Act - specifically the provisions dealing with Foreign Accrual Property Tax income Government Procurement - specifically Government priorities and role for private industry in helping to achieve government objectives - e.g. remote work, IT modernization, innovation and R&D intensive products, and crisis communications Government funding for private sector R&D technology projects Foreign temporary workers program, with respect to intercompany transfers COVID-19 Disclosure Notification Application "COVID Alert" - specifically assisting the Government of Canada with the security assessment and engaging in discussion on the importance of data privacy, security and integrity of the app COVID-19 Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program - specifically to help prevent job losses and better position the company to resume normal operations following the crisis. COVID-19 and the workplace - specifically the Government's return to work plan and policies for Canadian companies

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is engaging with government officials to discuss the alignment between CCI’s priorities and the federal government’s efforts to foster innovation in Canada. These discussions focus on ensuring that government programs and policies effectively support high-growth Canadian technology firms and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem. Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy: advocacy was focused on bringing domestic firms into the value chain through policies and measures that provide equal opportunity for Canadian Head Quartered companies. Discussion on the intangible economy, SR&ED, and economic growth as it relates to domestic expenditures for intellectual property filing, as well as a focus on small and medium-sized companies. US Trade - discussed Tariffs and handling of Canada US Mexico Trade Agreement. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Small Business and Tourism, Changes to Canadian Export Program (CanExport) so it allows more technology companies to apply Procurement – Changes to Request for Proposal (RFP) process to break down large bundles into smaller amounts for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) can apply Health Canada: advocate for an increase of resources for Therapeutics Canada for them to speed up processing times and efficiencies within their department; create working groups and framework with industry leaders and health Canada on digital and data health, and create a therapeutics working group with industry and health Canada. Finance – Changes to Scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentive program to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to further increase the maximum a SME can apply for Export Development Canada (EDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Environment and Climate Change Canada, give input and feedback on the PanCanada Framework, Canada-China agreement for scientific and technological cooperation, and the relationship between Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emitters & CO2 Reducers. Our focus is on involving Canadian high-growth firms in the policies and programs the government is working on regarding climate change and the greening of government. Discussions on international trade, specifically on the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to data localisation, labour mobility and tariffs. Defence & Security: advocate for a domestic-focused cybersecurity ecosystem that has Canadian companies at the centre of a national cybersecurity defence policy. Citizenship and immigration – Change the current work visa time lines, seek changes to the the Labour Market Impact Assessment for expatiating and a faster process Changes to Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to Increase the maximum amount a SME can apply for Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - changes to (scientific research and experimental development) SR&ED program with how it is administered and reviewed. Discussed companies SR&ED claims and issues with their processing. Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy.

Advocacy regarding science, technology and innovation policy frameworks with a view to addressing climate change and enhancing Canada's research and innovation capacity. Enhanced supports for activities related to commercialization and knowledge mobilization of university research results Discussions with federal officials to encourage the development of a public policy framework that responds to the needs of post-secondary education and research. Discussions with designated public office holders in support of regulation development informed by research.

Work with the various government programs that support accessibility, inclusion, and a world without barriers, particularly in the built environment around an accessibility Certification Program which will assess and rate the built environment of Canada against a common standard (example Canadian Standards Association). Work with the Government of Canada to seek funding and support for RHF national initiatives designed to educate and engage Canadians about the importance of promoting accessibility, in coordination with National AccessAbility Week. Work with the Government of Canada to provide leadership in salmon and sturgeon conservation and related initiatives and research. Work with the Government of Canada to promote the Rick Hansen School Program to promote the adoption of this already existing program in every school in Canada. Work with Government of Canada to endorse and support the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program Program as the national standard to assess and certify the built environment. Communication with the Government of Canada, to keep them informed of the use and outcomes of their investment in spinal cord injury research, as well as the outcomes of any projects around which we collaborate in order to maintain funding and to seek future funding.

Discussing legislation and public policy related to Canada's clean hydrogen sector. Potential development of legislation to ensure Canadian competitiveness for clean energy production. Application to Strategic Innovation Fund (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) for renewable energy project funding.

Engagement on youth entrepreneurship support - We continue to engage with government stakeholders to enable Futurpreneur to continue to provide mentoring, financing and business services/support to young diverse entrepreneurs, including Indigenous entrepreneurs and OLMCs. Futurpreneur supports business creation in all regions, including working in rural communities and First Nations. This also includes growth initiatives for young entrepreneurs and their startup/SMEs, as well as international trade opportunities, such as the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance.

Advancing discussions on programs and contracts tied to the development and support of future combat vessels. Funding to prepare the facility for construction of the future River Class Destroyer fleet and to support the ongoing maintenance of vessels. Interactions with Government officials regarding in-service support for Halifax Class Frigates. Input into the Federal Government's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy as it relates to Irving Shipbuilding being selected on October 19, 2011 to build the Combat Vessel work package.