Clara Geddes

Temporary Visa and Entry Requirements for International Conference Participants: Advocacy regarding policies, procedures and administrative measures related to temporary visas and entry requirements for international participants attending scientific, medical and professional conferences in Canada. Bill S-228: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures): Provide SOGC's perspective on Bill S-228, particularly as it relates to the impact of potential criminalization of procedures that are performed to save women’s lives and the potential impacts on access to reproductive health care for all Canadian women. Advocacy for the federal government to fulfil its 2025 election commitment to address the long-overlooked area of postpartum maternal health by funding research to identify care gaps, measure health outcomes and guide future investments. Advocacy for the government to fulfil its 2025 election commitment to create a national IVF program that would provide up to $20,000 toward one IVF cycle per patient. Universal coverage of contraceptives: Advocate for a full range of contraceptives to be included in the National Pharmacare Framework. Advocacy for universal, free coverage of a full range of contraceptives for all Canadian women, including urging the federal government to enter into funding agreements with all provinces and territories so all Canadian women can access free birth control, regardless of address. Women's health: Advocating for creation of a national approach to providing guidance to health providers that care for women coming to Canada from conflict zones. This would include tools to help providers treating women who may be experiencing the physical and emotional trauma of not only of the violence of the conflicts themselves, but also a lack of adequate health care in these areas. Womena's health data: Advocate for greater priority to be placed on realities faced by under-represented groups such as Black women, Indigenous People, newcomers to Canada and those experiencing homelessness and substance-use disorders who are disproportionally impacted by the women’s health gap. Women's health data: Advocate for more dedicated financial resources for data collection focused on addressing the women's health gap. Sexual and reproductive health: Advocate for enhanced funding to national, independent, science-based professional organizations to educate Canadians on women's sexual and reproductive rights Improved diagnosis and treatment options for women: Advocate for expanded free access to virtual care consultations for women’s health conditions, especially in underserved communities including First Nations and rural and remote areas. Improved diagnosis and treatment options for women: Advocate for funding for evidence-based research and science to build capacity for diagnosis and treatment of women’s health conditions. Women's health data: Advocate for the federal government to place a greater priority on addressing the women's health gap by taking leadership role in seeing provinces and territories collect and track key indicators of women's health. Surgical wait times: Advocate for dedicated funding to provinces and territories to reduce surgical wait times for obstetric and gynaecological procedures. Advocate for the federal government to work with provincial and territorial health leadership to address disparities in the prioritization of surgery time. Sillborn prevention and perinatal loss: Advocate for a consistent, national framework to accurately capture and address the causes of stillbirths in Canada. Advocate for resources for education and awareness of perinatal loss. Sexual and reproductive health: Advocate for equitable access to reproductive health care services, including abortion services, for women in every part of Canada. Pain management in women: Advocate for evidence-based education and programs to build capacity for diagnosis and treatment, including reducing surgical wait times. Misin

Federal support for equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and Indigenization efforts including Employment Equity, Pay Equity and data collection Support for federal policies, legislation and regulations that respect institutional autonomy, academic freedom and collegial governance in post-secondary education. Increased federal supports for post-secondary education, students, academic and professional staff, including student financial assistance, federal transfers and programs such as infrastructure, official languages, and training. Advocacy on federal research funding, policy, science governance, research integrity and research security frameworks Ensuring users' rights are respected with regards to educators' ability to access, use and share materials covered by copyright. Increase in funding for federal programs that support Indigenous post-secondary education

Bill C-12- Parts- 5-8 related to sweeping new powers and ineligibilities for Canada's refugee and immigration system Bill C-2, concerns with proposed changes to the Immigration and refugee protection Act, and to new authorities for data sharing, lack of consultation Refugee Claimant System Legislation as it relates to new reforms being proposed by the Government post Bill C-69 Temporary Foreign Worker Program- with respect to the need to end closed work permits and create open work permts Temporary Foreign Worker PRogram- Need for pathways to Permanent status for migrant workers Safe Third Country Agreement with the US, with respect to its current application ensuring the availability of the safety valves the Supreme Court referred to (this could be a regulation and is also shaped by policy( Safe Third Country Agreement - Seeking its termination Regularization of non status people- Need for a broad and comprehensive program with simple application process Refugee Resettlement- Timely and Equitable processing and effective support services Refugee Claimants- Need for a National Plan to address claimant needs and rights Immigration response to global crises- Need for an equitable policy framework to guide these responses. Immigration Refugee Board- policies and processes affecting refugee rights Immigration Levels - Increasing the levels for Resettled refugees and Protected Persons Federal Budget - Funding for refugee support Services, resettlement, eligibility and determination processes. Family Reunification- Timely and Equitable processing for protected persons and refugees CBSA- The need to seek alternatives to Detention and work with community based organizations to find them CBSA Removals - Seeking a moratorium on removals ahead of the regularization program CBSA Removals- ensuring that changes to the fee structure does not harm rights of vulnerable migrants CBSA- Guidelines on Gender based violence and gender considerations Canadian Border Service Agency- Processing of refugee Claimants at the Border Bill C-20 concerning oversight of CBSA and the need to ensure third party access for raising a complaint as well as need for recourse and redress in relation to removals where a complaint has been made Anti Trafficking- Use of Temporary Resident Permits to support rights of trafficked migrants

Postal service disruption and the significant hardships these disruptions cause for Canadians and on health charities We ask the federal government to fund MS research in partnership with MS Canada, leveraging our connections and expertise to focus and further our understanding of MS, pursue leading-edge research on repair and regeneration, and explore prevention strategies, including targeting the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Safe Long-Term Care Act with respect to persons affected by MS National Housing Strategy with respect for persons with MS and other chronic conditions and disabilities Measures and funding for the charitable sector generally Home care, with respect to creation with provincial/ territorial governments programs relating to increased home care for persons with MS and other disabilities/ diseases and the support of caregivers Federal Budget: Allocate funding for the Canada Disability Benefit, the Employment Insurance Sickness Benefit; health research; access to treatment and care; and other budgetary policy as it relates to MS. Establishment of national strategy for neurological conditions, with respect to persons with MS and other neurological conditions. Employment Insurance sickness benefits, with respect to creation of flexible benefits for persons with MS and other episodic disabilities Disability Tax Credit with respect to making it refundable and ensuring eligibility for Canadians with episodic disabilities Comprehensive disability income programs, with respect to persons with MS and other chronic and episodic disabilities CIHR as it relates to federal funding & long term investment in health research Canada Pension Plan – Disability with respect to eligibility for persons with MS and other chronic and episodic disabilities Canada Health Transfer - health system funding transfer and agreements intended for provinces/territories to support the delivery of healthcare services, including MS care Canada Health Act and regulations, as it relates to long-term and home care Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare with respect for persons with MS and other chronic conditions and disabilities Access to treatments as it relates to the current regulatory and price negotiation processes to enhance timely access to all Health Canada approved MS disease-modifying therapies, with respect to the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases and national pharmacare.

TIAC advocates for the continuation of the International Convention Attraction Fund Promoting a strong recreation and entertainment industry- A competitive tourism sector includes local and national cultural, heritage and sporting events, as wells as arts and heritage institutions that draw visitors and provide an economic driver for local communities. TIAC values the government's partnership in promoting and supporting a vibrant recreation and entertainment industry. Ensuring a diverse and equatable tourism sector - TIAC’s efforts on this front include monitoring and raising policy issues that directly affect Indigenous tourism development with a goal of empowering Indigenous communities in generating their own economies while also providing Canadians and foreign visitors alike the opportunity to connect with Indigenous peoples and to experience their unique and diverse culture in a deeply meaningful way. Building a Regenerative Tourism Industry – TIAC works with government to support a tourism sector that is more resilient and sustainable through priority investment in regenerative and eco-tourism. Transportation and connectivity - TIAC also works to ensure that regulations and policies related to transportation, air travel, waterways and ports of entry are developed and implemented to optimally connect, and not impede, domestic and international travellers to urban and rural destinations, key attractions, sporting events, and business meetings in Canada. Access for Visitors to Canada – TIAC supports the efficient movement of travellers to and within Canada through enhancements to temporary residency policies and entry program requirements (including the visitor visa and electronic travel authorization processes) in order to meet international demand for travel to Canada. Promoting Industry Competitiveness – TIAC promotes optimal support for the competitiveness of Canada’s tourism companies via public grants, tax credits, repayable financing contributions and policies and programs that augment entrepreneurship, innovation and investment. Attracting and Retaining a Strong Tourism Workforce – TIAC supports the creation and optimization of policy and programs aimed at building a robust and diverse workforce across the country and redressing labour volatility. TIAC also advocates for a strong tourism workforce via regulations and policies in regard to employment, housing, and immigration.