David Lisk

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.

Discussions related to the Canadian Innovation Pipeline Initiative, as proposed by Tech-Access Canada for consideration in the 2026 federal budget. Discussions related to improving the commercialization outcomes of Canadian university research through the UnivLaunch program, proposed by Tech-Access Canada. Discussions related to Tech-Access Canada's proposed Technical Workforce Resilience Initiative (TWR Initiative): A Proposal for Supporting Displaced Technical Workers Through TACs. Discussions related to maintaining current funding levels for the College and Community Innovation Program administered by NSERC. Discussions related to the Competency Assessment for Newcomers Pilot Program Seeking the participation of content matter experts from the Technology Access Centres in all relevant federal policy discussions concerning applied research and development, and business innovation. Requesting meetings with officials to provide an overview on the nature and contribution of Technology Access Centres to Canada's regional economic development and business innovation outcomes. Discussions related to the Interactive Visits program administered by Tech-Access Canada. Discussions related to designing and building respectful, accessible, sustainable, and functional residential housing in five First Nations communities, as proposed by Tech-Access Canada. Discussions on assisting older learners and growing Canada's talent pool by raising the upper age limit for eligibility in federal internship programs from 30 to 45. Discussions concerning federal budget priorities including support for increasing capacity of Canada's Technology Access Centres, as proposed by Tech-Access Canada.

Seeking funding support for launching new businesses with focus on innovative, high-tech businesses. Seeking funding support and development of initiatives that will invest in science and technology R&D to help drive competitive advantage. Seeking funding for programs to drive job creation through innovative , high tech companies. Seeking development and funding support for programs to train next generation entrepreneurs and innovators, with a focus on experiential learning and industry experience for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students. Seeking development and funding support for initiatives to facilitate collaborations between industry and academia to drive commercialization of publicly funded research and to drive economic development outcomes for Canada.

Tax policy affecting philanthropy, small business innovation and post-secondary institutions; tax benefits and credits for apprentices; tax benefits and credits for employers. Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, College and Community Innovation Program; tri-council structure and funding; eligibility of polytechnics and colleges for research funding and research support; Horizon Europe and opportunities for polytechnics to engage in international research partnerships. Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations. Supports, programs and policies designed to boost innovation and productivity; technology adoption; respond to skills needs; polytechnics and colleges as innovation intermediaries. Student housing; funding to support equipment purchase for training in high-demand fields, infrastructure programs geared to the post-secondary sector. Respond to consultations and advocate for change to international student policy; consider how polytechnics/colleges support inward and outward student mobility; consider international best practices for workforce development and applied research; better integration of newcomers through credential recognition, prior learning recognition and upskilling. Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects. Adequate financial support for learners through the Canada Student Loan Program and other student-centered programs; Edu-Canada marketing and branding initiatives. Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations related to productivity, business innovation, technology adoption and artificial intelligence. Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment. Canada Foundation for Innovation - Seek ongoing infrastructure support for the applied research conducted by colleges and Polytechnics.

Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-8 (An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts). Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-22 (An Act respecting lawful access) Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill formerly known as C-27 (Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022), more specifically the creation of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-2 (An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures). Work with government to promote and support Canada’s digital economy, including ensuring the availability of a high-skilled tech workforce. Seeking to influence policy direction related to cloud based services. Seeking government contract with multiple government departments and institutions with regards to Amazon Cloud based solutions and related support services.

Lobbying Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Named Program so that certain academic institutions and SMEs receive funding for semiconductor research and development.

Discussing the value of the subsidiary OmniaBio, as soveriegn capacity that is critical to Canada's needs in the event of future pandemics or national emergency, leading to support from federal entitities that supply capital and other financial products. Continued effort to maintain strong support for strategic value of the Strategic Response Fund support for the project re the application of automation and AI technology in our recently opened cell and gene therapy manufacutring facility operated by the subsidiary OmniaBio. The support will result in lower cost of life saving cell and gene therapy products. Pursue opportunities to benefit the Canadian cell and gene therapy ecosystem caused by global uncertainty.

Supporting KPI’s sales business operations and consulting arm as it relates to transportation within the Federal Government of Canada AND Work to identify funding programs relating to mining software development; Identify Indigenous partnerships/B2B opportunities

Communicating with government officials about Bill C-8 ("An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts"), more specifically as it relates to the regulation cyber activities. Communicating with government officials about procurement policies, procedures and processes, including those related to digital sovereignty and those related to "Buy Canadian". Communicating with government officials about the "Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022" (formerly Bill C-27), more specifically about artificial intelligence. Communicating with government officials about "An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts" (formerly Bill C-26), more specifically about cyber security. Communicating with government officials about digital IDs and credentials, more specifically about (i) the potential regulation of digital IDs and credentials and (ii) the potential uses of digital IDs and credentials. Communicating with government officials, in general, about broad-based opportunities and challenges facing the information technology sector in Canada and the potential for collaboration between the information technology sector and government. Communicating with government officials about the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement ("CUSMA"), formerly known as the North American Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA"), more specifically those provisions related to digital trade. Communicating with government officials about policies related to artificial intelligence (AI), including about (i) the federal government's "Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems" and (ii) the federal government's proposed pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, including its proposed "AI Compute Access Fund" and proposed "Canadian AI Sovereign Compute Strategy". Communicating with government officials about investments in Kyndryl systems and services.