Christine McKay

Temporary Foreign Worker Program - with respect to meeting the needs of Canada's emerging technology-based businesses. National Research Council Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program – with respect to funding programs supporting small-medium and large sized (SMEs) enterprises Invest Canada - with respect to attracting foreign investors in digital media, information, communications and technology companies International Science and Technology Partnership Program – with respect to exchanging knowledge between Canadian companies and foreign countries Income Tax Act - Amendment to the Income Tax Act with respect to angel investors Global Opportunites for Associations - with respect to facilitating SME experience aboard FedDev Ontario - Regional Innovation Ecosystem Program – with respect to scaleup platform work Employment and Social Development Canada - Opportunities to fund skills and training programs in Waterloo Region Centre of Excellence in Research and Commercialization - with respect to bringing new technologies to market to create more companies, jobs and wealth in Canada. Building in Canada Fund - with respect to Two-way Go Train service linking Waterloo Region to the Greater Toronto Area

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.

Seek increased support for entrepreneurs and startups in a range of sectors—from health and cleantech to finance and education—helping them grow and scale into global market leaders by providing expert advice Seek increased access to funding to support innovation companies at all stages of their growth. Collaborating with the Government of Canada on how to commercialize innovation businesses of the future, and making a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and others around the world.

Work with government on the restoration of SR&ED credits and to discuss ideas to fuel a more innovative and R&D intensive economy. Working with Government to transform service delivery through digital adoption. Working with Government to ensure the modernization of procurement systems are done in a fair, transparent, and collaborative manner. Working with Government to develop and execute a national strategy to grow Canada's digital economy, drive innovation and competitiveness in the ICT sector, and modernize the public sector in its use of information technology. To engage in consultation and discussion with Government regarding any regulation that impacts the ICT sector To engage in consultation and discussion with Government regarding any legislation that impacts the ICT sector Helping Government develop a pan-Canadian certification and licensing mechanism to ensure the safety, security, and privacy of digital health solutions. Encouraging Government to work with the provinces and territories to develop a pan-Canadian strategy for digital health. Encouraging Government to continue with existing policies and programs that help Canadian information and communications technology (ICT) companies scale by accessing to global markets. Collaborating with Government on ways to strengthen socio-economic considerations within large IT modernization initiatives. Collaborating with government on changes made to the Integrity Framework.

Provide updates and seek new opportunities that would support the launch of an Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Academy Canada Economic Development Quebec Regions - Seeking support / consultation or financial support in order to launch an Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Academy Program Prairies Economic Development Canada - Seeking funding from the Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) stream to support the advancement of our Fellowship program in rural, remote and northern communities. Pacific Economic Development Canada - Seeking funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund for the advancement of our Fellowship program in the province. Ministry of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development - Seeking renewed funding support for Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) and the Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative (I-WIL) Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) - Seeking core funding support for Venture for Canada, and the renewal of the Student Work Placement Program and Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiatives. Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship - Seeking new funding support and partnerships for Venture for Canada to launch an International Students program pilot Ministry of Forgein Affairs - Seeking new funding support and partnerships with Global Affairs Canada to launch an International Students program pilot Ministry of Finance - Seeking funding renewal for the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) and Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiatives (I-WIL). Ministry of Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion - Maintain connections related to the delivery and renewal of the Student Work Placement Program and Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiatives Ministry of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism - Seeking new funding support for an Artist Entrepreneurship program pilot designed by Venture for Canada. Global Affairs Canada - Seeking new funding support and partnerships for Venture for Canada to launch an International Students program pilot and an international exchange program for Canadian students. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - Seeking renewed partial funding from the agency to support the advancement of our Fellowship program.