Edward Wong

Reverse the $5 billion cut to public transit funding and increase the Building Communities Strong Fund’s overall size so transit agencies such as TransLink and BC Transit can proceed with urgently needed expansion projects that improve access to education and employment. Provide stable, recurring operations funding so TransLink and BC Transit can implement necessary service improvements and start work on key regional transportation projects. Provide ongoing funding to municipalities for the infrastructure upgrades necessary to support an increasing population. Increase the allocation for post-secondary education in the Canada Social Transfer so provinces can properly fund institutions to help manage growing deficits brought on by underfunding and over reliance on student tuition. Ensure fair and predictable treatment for international students already studying in Canada by red-circling study permit renewals for current students and allowing them to transfer institutions or take courses at other institutions without requiring a new study permit application. Convert the CMHC Apartment Construction Loan Program — Student Housing stream to grants so post-secondary institutions can access financing to build on-campus student housing, helping address the growing shortage of affordable housing for students in British Columbia. Enforcement of the Canada Health Act principle of “universality” to prohibit the province of British Columbia from charging international students a $75 health fee to access government-insured medical services.

Provide stable, recurring operations funding so TransLink and BC Transit can implement necessary service improvements and start work on key regional transportation projects. Reverse the $5 billion cut to public transit funding and increase the Building Communities Strong Fund’s overall size so transit agencies such as TransLink and BC Transit can proceed with urgently needed expansion projects that improve access to education and employment. Provide ongoing funding to municipalities for the infrastructure upgrades necessary to support an increasing population. Increase the allocation for post-secondary education in the Canada Social Transfer so provinces can properly fund institutions to help manage growing deficits brought on by underfunding and over reliance on student tuition. Ensure fair and predictable treatment for international students already studying in Canada by red-circling study permit renewals for current students and allowing them to transfer institutions or take courses at other institutions without requiring a new study permit application. Convert the CMHC Apartment Construction Loan Program — Student Housing stream to grants so post-secondary institutions can access financing to build on-campus student housing, helping address the growing shortage of affordable housing for students in British Columbia. Enforcement of the Canada Health Act principle of “universality” to prohibit the province of British Columbia from charging international students a $75 health fee to access government-insured medical services.

Ensure fair and predictable treatment for international students already studying in Canada by red-circling study permit renewals for current students and allowing them to transfer institutions or take courses at other institutions without requiring a new study permit application. Increase funding for student job placements focused on climate action and environmental sustainability and to establish a national Youth Climate Corps that provides students with jobs focused on climate action. Increased regulation of grocery stores by the federal government to prevent price gouging and excess profit generation. Direct financial assistance from the federal government to help students afford good food. Climate Change action, with respect to the federal government taking all actions necessary to keep global warming at 1.5c including emissions reductions, ending fossil fuel expansion, and investment in green transportation. The creation of a federal student loan and financial aid program that is accessible to part-time and full-time undergraduate and graduate international students and is not contingent on program completion. Provide stable, recurring operations funding so TransLink and BC Transit can implement necessary service improvements and start work on key regional transportation projects. Reverse the $5 billion cut to public transit funding and increase the Building Communities Strong Fund’s overall size so transit agencies such as TransLink and BC Transit can proceed with urgently needed expansion projects that improve access to education and employment. Increase the allocation for post-secondary education in the Canada Social Transfer so provinces can properly fund institutions to help manage growing deficits brought on by underfunding and over reliance on student tuition. Convert the CMHC Apartment Construction Loan Program — Student Housing stream to grants so post-secondary institutions can access financing to build on-campus student housing, helping address the growing shortage of affordable housing for students in British Columbia. Provide ongoing funding to municipalities for the infrastructure upgrades necessary to support an increasing population. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, with respect to increasing the number of hours an international student is permitted to work off-campus during a regular academic session from 24 to 32, and extending permission to work to part-time international students. Enforcement of the Canada Health Act principle of “universality” to prohibit the province of British Columbia from charging international students a $75 health fee to access government-insured medical services. Childcare funding, with respect to federal financial assistance to British Columbia to create and operate a fully functional $10-a-day program.

Over reliance on Automated Valuation Methodologies (AVMs) poses a significant risk for Canadian consumers, lenders and the financial system. The best option to minimize the lending risk for mortgage properties is to have an on-site appraisal conducted by a third-party appraiser to determine the occupancy, the condition of the property, the neighborhood characteristics, and ultimately, the existence of the property. AIC supports AVM regulation and the role of appraisers being recognized directly in federal legislation through the Bank Act. AIC is supporting OSFI Residential Mortgage Underwriting and Mortgage Insurance Practices and Procedures encouraging Federally Regulated Financial Institutions to employ sound valuation practices to determine the value of collateral used to secure and insure mortgages. Requiring FRFIs to apply proper due diligence by requiring valuation reports based on on-site, in-person inspections performed by qualified appraisers is a sound practice. It enables lenders to confirm the current valuation of the collateral when processing a mortgage loan application and provides the assurance that they are doing so with a valuation carried out in a fair and objective manner. In summary, we recommend that the Government of Canada continue to mandate, enhance, and enforce strong valuation fundamentals within FRFIs. AIC is advocating for OSFI to form a permanent, multi-sector, external stakeholder affairs advisory committee that would advise the regulator on emerging risks. With the government exploring EnerGuide Labeling of homes at the time of sale, the AIC recommends that this information, as well as other climate related risk information, be housed in a central, publicly accessible portal. As prospective homeowners and the mortgage lending industry rely, in part, on information gathered by appraisers to make their buying and lending decisions, accurate and publicly available information ensures that all parties are making informed real estate decisions. AIC Professional Appraisers adhere to strict educational and professional practice guidelines and can partner with appropriate governmental bodies and industry experts to help in the implementation process. The AIC believes a holistic approach to supply needs to be considered, where industry and municipal, provincial and federal governments all work together if there is any possibility for solving the lack of inventory and encouraging affordable housing prices. Some flood maps in Canada have not been updated for a number of years, in some cases for decades. The need for accurate flood information is essential to property purchasers, developers, lenders and to those engaged in municipal or land use planning. AIC is asking the Government of Canada to take on a coordinating role in this area. Downward pressure on appraisal fees and increasing demand for quicker turnaround times, combined with the restrictions on accessing good and reliable data, may ultimately drive professional appraisers away from completing mortgage finance work. This places a much higher risk for lenders and for Canadian consumers. Concerns over money laundering and the use of real estate assets to shield funds from scrutiny have become increasingly more strident in recent months. The AIC is asking the Government of Canada to assume a coordinating role in the development of beneficial ownership registries for real estate assets. Canadian consumers require additional education on the full range of fees associated with mortgage financing and refinancing as well as the role of various professionals involved in the transaction. A disclosure of all fees incurred as part of obtaining a loan should be a mandatory requirement for all lending institutions - federally and non-federally regulated – to ensure that Canadians understand the financial commitment involved in what is often the largest investments in their lifetime. This includes the appraisal management fee and the appraisal fee.

Taxation and Finance - discussing changes to charity tax laws and how these affect registered charities Support for the Charitable sector in Canada, through granting programs for the charitable sector in Canada

Seek ways for Metis Artists in British Columbia can participate in the diplomatic gifting program and ensure government buildings include metis art in their buildings. Negotiate revisions to the terms of reference for the Recognitions of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination table. Ensure the Government of Canada continues to engage Metis Nation British Columbia in advancing self government discussions. Additionally, provide updates to government officials on the research work being done across British Columbia to advance self government discussions. Seek adequate funding for housing, education, child services and cultural programs. Seek ways to participate and advance Metis Nation British Columbia housing priorities through Build Canada Homes. Seek opportunities and engagement on the development of the Major Projects Office. Additionally, ensure Metis business in British Columbia are included in the procurement opportunities that flow from Major Projects initiated in British Columbia. Seek understanding and adequate funding supports on programs that will help Metis women and LGBTQ community in BC. Understand what supports are available for adoption of digital governance and seek federal funding for updates and adoption of digital governance. Ensure the Indigenous Justice Strategy includes perspectives from the Metis Nation British Columbia. Ensure MNBC is included in the program delivery stream of the National School Food Program. Lead the negotiations for a self government agreement.