Dylan Jones

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. 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 and CIHR) and other departments and agencies. Advocacy to improve immigration policies and programs for 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 support for university research mobilization and commercialization activities. Advocacy to enhance student supports, including but not limited to Canada Student Grants and Loans, the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program, supports for Indigenous students, and work-integrated learning programs.

National Adaptation Strategy in relation to Action #1 Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative to creating a program to establish a Centre of Excellence for Wildland Fire Innovation and Resilience to fund related activities including support for mobilizing knowledge, increasing uptake of innovations in technology and training, supporting Indigenous fire stewardship, and help strengthening wildland fire management in Canada. Creation of, expansion of, and renewal of potential infrastructure; and research and development initiatives and investments Changes to the International Student Program and the Post-Graduate Work Permit criteria.

Raise awareness about the First Nations Bank of Canada; seek opportunities for economic development.

Work with the various government programs that support accessibility, inclusion, and a world without barriers, particularly in the built environment around an accessibility Certification Program which will assess and rate the built environment of Canada against a common standard (example Canadian Standards Association). Work with the Government of Canada to seek funding and support for RHF national initiatives designed to educate and engage Canadians about the importance of promoting accessibility, in coordination with National AccessAbility Week. Work with the Government of Canada to provide leadership in salmon and sturgeon conservation and related initiatives and research. Work with the Government of Canada to promote the Rick Hansen School Program to promote the adoption of this already existing program in every school in Canada. Work with Government of Canada to endorse and support the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program Program as the national standard to assess and certify the built environment. Communication with the Government of Canada, to keep them informed of the use and outcomes of their investment in spinal cord injury research, as well as the outcomes of any projects around which we collaborate in order to maintain funding and to seek future funding.

Supports for the forestry, steel and aluminum industry, by way of government programs and incentives. Changes to, or government actions pursuant to, the Canada Labour Code respecting labour stability in Canadian supply chains or otherwise affecting federally regulated employees. Canada Labour Code as it relates to Sick leave benefits, dispute resolution and Right to Disconnect Operations of Passenger Rail along CN Corridor Extended Interswitching and related pilot projects. Accelerated Depreciation, Capital Cost Allowance and better alignment with US policies. Subjects related to Canada-US Relations, Tariffs and Trade Matters pertaining to the operation of company in both official languages. Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act The Canada Transportation Act and other Acts respecting transportation and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts (Transportation Modernization Act) The Canada Transportation Act and other Acts respecting transportation Revisions to the Railway Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules Revisions to the Canadian Railway Operating Rules (Various) Revision of the Duty and Rest Period Rules for Railway Operating Employees and fatigue Regulatory and policy alignment between Canada and the U.S. Regulations governing Enhanced Train Control Regulation of transportation of grain and oilseeds Issues of approval related to the CN Milton Hub Infrastructure projects that support Canada’s supply chain. Infrastructure funding related to Railway Crossing Safety Improvement Infrastructure funding related to port and terminal access upgrades Funding related to the National Transportation Corridor Fund Funding related to Green Transportation Initiatives including renewable fuels and alternative propulsion methods. Emergency Preparedness and response as it relates to response by government to natural disasters, access to telecommunications and planning for potential climate related emergencies.

Working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to improve visa processing times, the Study Direct Stream program, and lower refusal rates for international students accepted to Canadian universities Lobbying to maintain fair dealing for education. Lobbying for an explicit exception for charities, not-for-profits and/or educational institutions to Canada’s Anti-Spam Law (CASL). Increased supports for Indigenous students seeking to access post-secondary education. Harmonization of immigration policies with regard to the improvement of study and work permit processing to identify areas where policies and procedures could be strengthened. Engaging with reviews of existing legislation covering charities to clarify how they apply to educational institutions. Engage with Statistics Canada regarding postsecondary education and research data collection and analysis with particular attention to the University and College Academic Staff System survey and labour market information. Engage with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada regarding the role of universities in supporting innovation through the full suite of innovation initiatives (eg. Superclusters, economic sector tables, Innovation Canada, knowledge mobilization, digital research infrastructure etc.) Engage with Global Affairs Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and ESDC on the implementation of the government’s International Education Strategy – including the targeting and recruitment of international students and the design of the outbound student mobility program for Canadian students to study abroad. Engage with Department of Status of Women and Statistics Canada regarding data collection and policies/frameworks regarding student safety on campus. Discussions with Employment and Social Development Canada concerning international student mobility and internship programs. Discussions concerning federal budget priorities. Priority topics include: federal government's support for university research through the federal granting agencies and other government programs; support for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows; changes to the Canada Research Chairs program; university infrastructure; international research collaboration; knowledge mobilization; equity diversity and inclusion; cybersecurity; and expanding university education opportunities for Indigenous Canadians. Discuss effective strategies and programs to support student transition to the work place and access to upskilling and reskilling programs for mid-career Canadians with Employment and Social Development Canada, including the Student Work-Integrated Learning Program (SWILP) and the Canada Training Benefit.

Meet with various members of parliament and the senior officials of the federal bureaucracy to discuss various policy and legislative issues impacting the University of Regina. Start-up funding for proposed Institut français Baccalaureate programs in Minority Situations. Seek partnership and consultation with Sustainable Development Technology Canada (Environment and Natural Resources Canada) regarding transferring products of university technologies into the marketplace. Seek increased funding for the Indirect Costs of a Research Program in order to maintain an internationally competitive research and development infrastructure. Seek funding assistance for University of Regina's energy and environment institutes from the National Research Council, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, PrairiesCan, the Office of Energy Research & Development (Natural Resources Canada). Policy development regarding knowledge transfer and the commercialization of research. Policy development and research funding for innovative and sustainable energy resources. Policies and programs to advance research and development for the commercialization and globalization of university initiatives. Indian Studies Support Program Applications through the University of Regina for the First Nations University of Canada. Funding for university-community projects, in conjunction with the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise and/or other francophone community organizations. Funding for proposed Institut français research chairs on alternatives for community development. Funding for policies and programs to advance research and development for the commercialization and globalization of university initiatives. Funding for conferences, seminars and other academic initiatives. Funding for carbon capture and storage initiatives. Federal Research Granting Councils (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR): 1) Communication with various public office holders to inquire on the status of grants and to propose a wide array of academic research projects; and 2) Communications to various public office holders to advocate for continued and increased granting council funding. Discussions regarding possible research and development initiatives for, and investments in, partnerships with the University of Regina Discussions regarding possible research and development initiatives and investments that foster Western Canadian research networks. Creation of new immigration regulations with respect to helping universities attract foreign students and facilitating their arrival in Canada. Contributions to the operating budget of the Institut français. Canadian Conference of the Arts with respect to maintaining arts and culture programs and research initiatives in Canada. Canada Research Chairs Program with respect to the creation and funding of new chairs.