Dave McFarlane

Engagement regarding the National Building Code of Canada and included energy efficiency standards for construction and subsequent operation. Explore advanced manufacturing and clean technology tax credits, grands and/or subsidies to support employment and growth Discussions with government on how to address housing affordability and the supply shortage.

Seeking budget funding for federal AI Adoption capability for ISED as a federal department. FastLane (AI Commercialization Initiative) is funded by ISED. FastLane accelerates AI adoption in Canadian businesses by offering tools, talent, and training. It bridges a gap in AI readiness, particularly for SMEs, by helping businesses efficiently prepare data and deploy AI solutions. Vector would like to maintain and expand government support in this regard. Canadian AI Safety Initiative (CAISI). CAISI ensures that AI systems are safe, transparent, and aligned with domestic and international regulatory standards. Vector plays a key role by leading model evaluations and collaborating on global AI safety benchmarks, and will continue government engagement in this regard. The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) aims to set regulatory standards for AI safety and compliance. Vector seeks to work with policymakers to ensure the legislation is effective and supportive of economic development and growth. Discuss opportunities for partnerships between the federal government and the Vector Institute. Discuss AI privacy and safety matters, as well as support for Vector Institute initiatives including the need for more super-computing infrastructure. VITAL is a secure, real-time health data platform designed to address the current 6–9-month delay in health data availability. Leveraging real-time data from over 20 million Canadians can accelerate clinical trials, enhance emergency responses, and spur health innovations. Vector’s priority is securing federal funding and positioning Canada as a global leader in health data science and clinical trials. AI Compute focuses on building the foundational AI infrastructure necessary to retain top talent and support Canadian startups. As other nations rapidly develop their AI capabilities, Canada risks falling behind without significant investment in its AI infrastructure. Vector is seeking continued and expanded access to AI Compute. In the course of this engagement, Vector will pursue supercomputing infrastructure access and funding.