Derek Armstrong

Advocacy related to university engagement in Canadian priorities in artificial intelligence, data systems and related computing science and energy subjects, including but not limited to specific calls for proposals. Advocacy for university initiatives related to Canadian priorities across the defence spectrum, including initiatives relevant to both Defence and Veterans' Affairs, among other federal departments. Advocacy to enhance support for university research mobilization and commercialization activities. Research security, with respect to international research partnerships Discussions with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and other relevant departments and agencies regarding the role of universities in supporting federal innovation initiatives, policies and programs. Discussions regarding research and development initiatives and federal support related to energy and environment, and climate change research, innovation, commercialization, talent and knowledge mobilization. Discussions regarding official language funding amounts and mechanisms. Discussions about the Copyright Act and details of its implementation in a post-secondary setting. Advocacy to secure support in the budget for post-secondary education, research, innovation, and science and technology. Advocacy to secure federal support to develop and upgrade university infrastructure, including but not limited to research and learning facilities, digital infrastructure, and transit infrastructure. Advocacy to increase support for university research, including research funding and granting programs administered by the tri-agencies (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR) and other departments and agencies. Advocacy to improve immigration policies and programs for prospective and current university students, faculty, and staff. Advocacy to ensure that proposals to develop or amend federal legislation, regulations, policies or programs that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary system reflect the needs of universities and support our research and education mission. Advocacy to enhance student supports, including but no limited to Canada Student Grants and Loans, the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program, supports for Indigenous students, and work-integrated learning programs. Advocacy to advance Canadian leadership in priority areas to support world class research, talent attraction and retention, and knowledge mobilization. Advocacy related to reconciliation efforts, including but not limited to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

Support for new research and campus infrastructure. Increased funding and program design for various programs administered by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Funding or support with respect to international development cooperation (student and academic mobility, internships, research collaboration, exchanges, technical assistance). Discussions regarding possible research and development initiatives for, and investments in, partnerships with the University of Calgary. Discussions concerning potential research and development initiatives and investments related to clean energy, environmental research and climate change policy. Discussions about policy implementation regarding the academic visa process in support of international faculty recruitment with respect to changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Budget bills in support of federal funding for post-secondary education, research, innovation, science and technology.

Enhancing global market access for Alberta exports by expanding pipeline access to tidewater, including through the removal of the Tanker Ban, investing in trade-related transportation infrastructure, and addressing internal trade barriers. Supporting the federal government's defence and economic security priorities by exploring opportunities for Alberta to strengthen Canada's defence industrial base, attract investment, and contribute to resilient supply chains and strategic infrastructure. Exploring opportunities to support the federal government's One Canadian Economy agenda through greater economic integration, reduced interprovincial trade barriers, and strengthened collaboration on nation-building projects. Supporting a strong Alberta within a united Canada by exploring policies that address fairness in the federation, strengthen Alberta’s economic contribution, and improve federal-provincial collaboration on shared priorities. Exploring strategies to support economic growth in Alberta and Canada while ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability and broad-based prosperity. Providing an update on the Business Council of Alberta’s priorities, including productivity, competitiveness, labour shortages, infrastructure, and housing, and identifying opportunities to collaborate with the federal government on advancing shared policy goals. Attracting investment to Alberta and Canada by exploring ways to address regulatory barriers to business investment and create a competitive business landscape. Proposing amendments to the new greenwashing provisions which, as written, will undermine Canadian businesses’ ability to raise capital, take risks, innovate, and make good-faith environmental progress in uncertain conditions. The federal government should respect the CRTC’s Fibre to the Premise decision, which supports a more competitive telecommunications sector and reinforces regulatory autonomy, a principle that is key to investor confidence and a dynamic business environment across all sectors of the Canadian economy. Federal natural resources and environment policy. Unlocking investment and growth in Canada's natural resource industries, and how they can contribute to Canada's productivity, prosperity, and environmental goals. Discriminatory and/or counterproductive impacts on Alberta and Alberta-concentrated industries. Maintaining access to US markets in the face of tariff threats and CUSMA renewal. Discussing how issues related to defence spending, border crossings and illegal drug/gun trafficking impact trade and trade policy. Preserving and enhancing Canada’s access to trade opportunities in global markets; addressing trade disputes, including the differing impact of those disputes across Canada. Exploring opportunities to increase economic activity and value-added processing in agriculture; and discussing the removal of barriers to achieving that goal. Expressing our opposition to the proposed emissions cap as being bad for the environment, the economy, the federation, and Canada’s international standing. Improving Canada's system of major project approvals and permitting to allow projects to get built faster, generate economic growth and advance Indigenous Economic Diversification. Issues range from speeding up environmental impact assessments, to removing fed/prov duplication, to better coordinating permitting processes across the federal government. Removing barriers to interprovincial trade. Providing information via our "Alberta Update" to senior government officials on economic developments in the province. Exploring ways to improve co-operation and collaboration between the federal and provincial governments. The merits and drawbacks of the federal government's proposed oil and gas sector emissions cap; and the most efficient, cost-effective ways to promote a competitive energy sector in Alberta while working towards deep emissions cuts. Proposing amendments to the Clean Electricity Regulations that reflect the concerns