Catherine Demers

CFIB supports the principle behind the Canada Jobs Grant but encourages flexibility in its implementation and consideration of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)' needs. For example, introducing a permanent refundable tax credits for co-op and internship hires and reducing red tape from programs like Canada Summer Jobs to make it easier for small businesses to continue hiring youth. Advocating on behalf of small and medium-sized businesses to facilitate trade between Canada and other countries (CAN-US tariffs, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Chinese tariffs). Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shares its suggestions for Budget 2026 focusing on: reducing the small business tax rate from 9% to 6% and increasing the small business deduction (SBD) threshold to $700,000 and index it to inflation going forward. Canada is experiencing an “entrepreneurial drought”: a sustained period where business closures consistently outpace new business starts, leading to a shrinking entrepreneurial base and declining confidence in entrepreneurship. CFIB recommends that reversing this trend should be treated as a national economic priority. Sharing small businesses' views on Labour Code changes, impact on small businesses and the need to ensure the fluidity of the supply chain. Sharing survey results on improving CFIA customer service to encourage the review of their operations to better meet the needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) - reducing red tape and facilitating food mobility within Canada. Sharing data information and recommendations related to the state of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) overall and for specific sectors which could also include provincial data. Promoting reforms to the Competition Act that will ensure small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete in today’s economy, especially as small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have noted an increase in large corporate giants within Canada. Shipping costs pose a significant barrier for small business, as such we continue to advocate for favourable shipping rates with carriers (including the cost of shipping along with better service levels and addressing the work stoppage at Canada Post). Presenting the views of small business owners based on our survey data to the Canada Revenue Agency to share ways of improving customer service interactions with small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to ease the tax burden on small business owners as well as increase accountability within the agency. CFIB continues to monitor the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Act on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and other issues raised related to the mandate of Health Canada. We also continue to monitor customer service interactions between our members and Health Canada. Any issues are raised with officials. CFIB advocates for simplification to the federal procurement process on behalf of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Lobbying to reduce Red Tape by focusing on removing interprovincial trade barriers, facilitating labour mobility and improving government customer service. This includes providing input for the consultations on the Annual Regulatory Modernization Bill. Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax Administration with regards to Transitional Rules, Out of Province Sales Rules, Point-of-Sale Rebate, and fillings. Retirement Income Policies, and proposed Canada Pension Plan increases. CFIB is against mandatory increases in Canada Pension Plan, and has provided alternative approaches. CFIB has also shared recommendations to reduce disincentives to work for older workers. Presenting the views of small business owners on infrastructure spending through member survey results, mandate votes and other CFIB research. Offering funding solutions and alternatives to government proposals on transit and infrastructure expansion. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

Examination of Funding programs to support adult literacy

CYBER SECURITY - Encourage the government to invest in cybersecurity innovation, talent, and infrastructure; modernize research and development; accelerate commercialization in the space; support the secure digitalization of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and improve the global competitiveness of Canada’s cybersecurity industry. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - Advocate for future-proofed, globally competitive, and interoperable policies that position artificial intelligence as a positive economic driver, and support the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI in business. PRIVACY AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION - Ensure that the modernization of Canada’s privacy legislation strikes the right balance between protecting consumers and promoting the ability of firms to innovate and compete by responsibly and securely using data. HOUSING - Support policies that enable the creation of more housing supply, incentivize investment in residential construction, and restore housing affordability for Canadian families. NATIONAL SECURITY/ECONOMIC SECURITY - Advancing policies related to enhancing Canada’s economic and national security. Key priorities include strengthening economic resilience, prudently navigating geopolitical challenges to trade and international relations, safeguarding business operations against new and emerging threats, and fostering conditions for economic growth. TRANSPORTATION - Regarding the consistent funding of trade-enabling infrastructure projects; the development of a competitive and efficient transportation network including all modes of transportation. TELECOMMUNICATIONS - Creating the right investment incentives to foster vibrant competition in the sector as a whole; responding to decisions regarding third-party access that will impact the deployment of internet services in rural and remote communities; and responding to regulatory proposals re: cell phone pricing. TAXATION AND FINANCE – With regard to undertaking a comprehensive and independent tax system review. TAXATION AND FINANCE – With regard to the measurement and improvement of Canada’s tax competitiveness, including: reforming the taxation, remittance, filing and audit processes of Canadian businesses; removing tax barriers for childcare expenses; addressing the taxation of family business transfers; and mobilizing private capital for recovery and growth. TAXATION AND FINANCE - With regard to modernizing our financial systems through open banking and digital currencies TAXATION AND FINANCE - Responding to proposals addressing taxation of digital services. TAXATION AND FINANCE - Maintaining and expanding real-time data made freely available to Canadian businesses, municipalities, academic researchers, and community groups. SMALL BUSINESS – Legislation, regulations and support programs that give Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the tools to grow in Canada and internationally, including reducing their red tape and compliance burden. PRIVACY AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION - Improving digital privacy legislation to meet the needs of industry. PENSIONS - Treatment of corporate pensions in the event of bankruptcy. NATURAL RESOURCES - Support for the adoption of policy recommendations to strengthen Canada’s world-leading position in the mining industry, oil and gas, and forestry products. OPEN DATA - Maintaining and expanding real-time data made freely available to Canadian businesses, municipalities, academic researchers, and community groups. LABOUR: Ensuring that any changes to the Canada Labour Code are implemented in response to defined and demonstrated issues and not to increase regulatory burdens for employers. INTERNATIONAL TRADE – With respect to issues relating to import and export controls INTERNATIONAL TRADE - Negotiating bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements and promoting them to Canadian businesses. INTERNATIONAL TRADE - Improving federal laws and regulations pertaining to responsible business conduct r

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.

Makes representations to the government on Bill C-4 as it relates to its impact on persons with disabilities 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 and maintain funding for this purpose and seek future funding. Work with Government of Canada to endorse and support the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program as the national standard to assess and certify the built environment, by working to maintain or expand government funding. 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. 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.

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.

Seeking government contracting opportunities related to Skillsoft suite of technology solutions including training and AI security, while updating Government of Canada officials on key technology developments

Actua is Canada's largest science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills training organization focused on the engagement of underrepresented youth. The organization is advocating for investments in STEM, including AI literacy and skills development, to strengthen Canada's talent pipeline and prepare the future workforce. Safe Social Media Act - discussions regarding the newly tabled Bill C-34 CanCode Program - Actua is advocating for the renewal of CanCode. Strategic Science Fund - Actua is advocating for continued, longterm investment in SSF.

To arrange meeting with officials to explain nature and contribution of BC Colleges to Canada's economic and social development.

Youth employment with respect to the Youth Employment Strategy and Canada Summer Jobs. Seeking funding to support front line workers in the charitable sector with mental health and burnout Seeking funding from the Public Health Agency for a food literacy program Seeking funding for mental health training for front line staff working with children and youth to better support youth mental health outcomes Seeking funding for impact evaluation for out of school programming for children and youth Seeking funding for before and after school programs for children, youth and families Seeking funding for a program that introduces young people to the science, technology, engineering, arts/design, and math fields. Federal budget with respect to investments in the social service sector, and programs for children and youth Child and youth mental health, with respect to prevention and early intervention Canadian government's policies and programs with respect to crime prevention and restorative justice for youth. Canada's policies and programs with respect to programs and supports for Indigenous children and youth. Advocate for the adoption of Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program, with respect to the implementation of a countrywide school food program Advocate for the adoption of Bill C-273, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Corinne’s Quest and the protection of children), in order to repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code Advocate for policies and programs concerning child and youth rights, including to prevent identity-based hate and corporal punishment Adoption and implementation of the Spirit Bear Plan

Seeking remission of federal duties to be paid or already paid on the purchase of foreign-built vessels. Previously known as Bill C-549, National Marine Day Act: in respect of identifying a specific day each year to be officially recognized as Canada Marine Day. Policy, regulatory proposals and potential legislation dealing with ballast water and aquatic invasive species. Pilotage Act: in respect of ensuring efficient and cost-effective pilotage services Pacific Pilotage Regulations: in respect of ensuring efficient and cost-effective pilotage services Marine Navigation Services Fees: working towards reduction and eventual removal of government fees on industry Laurentian Pilotage Authority Regulations: in respect of ensuring efficient and cost-effective pilotage services Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: working towards changes that might make it less difficult and restrictive for more skilled shipping industry labour to work in the Great Lakes - Seaway marine transportation industry. Hazardous Materials Information Review Regulations: informing clients of the existing and potential status of the regulations, and assisting them representing their business interests through inclusion or exclusion of their commodities in the regulations. Great Lakes Pilotage Regulations: in respect of ensuring efficient and cost-effective pilotage services General Pilotage Regulations: in respect of ensuring efficient and cost-effective pilotage services EcoFreight Program: informing clients of the program and assisting them with application and approval process Canadian Grain Act: working towards an efficient and cost-effective grain transportation system, especially as it pertains to the marine mode Canada Marine Act: working towards an efficient, safe, cost-effective marine transportation system, especially regarding Canada's ports and Seaway systems. Canada Labour Code: working towards ensuring Canadian labour laws are as pluralistic and democratic as possible, especially insofar as providing openness and fair competition to labour markets affecting shipping. Atlantic Pilotage Authority Regulations: in respect of ensuring efficient and cost-effective pilotage services