Ellen Smith

Discussions on the proposed National Electricity Strategy Discussions on proposed legislative, regulatory and policy reforms as they relate to building major projects in Canada. Conversations regarding the role of the Major Projects Office and its potential impact for hydropower's projects and regulatory framework. Discuss potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports of electricity and manufactured components and their impact on the hydropower sector. Implementation of the Impact Assessment Act, Canadian Navigable Waters Act, and Canada Water Act, and regulations and policies there under, as they relate to the operation, refurbishment and redevelopment of existing hydropower generation stations, and development of new hydropower generation stations. Conversations regarding financing available for hydropower projects. Legislation, regulation, and policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, Clean Fuel Standard, and/or Clean Electricity Regulations as they relate to the operation, refurbishment and redevelopment of existing hydropower generation stations, and development of new hydropower generation stations. Legislation, regulation, policy and fiscal measures that promote the production and use of green hydrogen within Canada Legislation, regulation, policy, and fiscal measures that promote the production and use of green hydrogen within Canada including but not limited to the Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit, Clean Fuel Regulations Hydrogen Quantification Methodology, and Hydrogen Roundtables Implementation of the modernized Fisheries Act, and regulations and policies thereunder, as they relate to the operation, refurbishment, and redevelopment of existing hydropower generation stations, and development of new hydropower generation stations. Implementation of environmental legislation such as the Species at Risk Act, and Migratory Birds Act, and regulations and policies thereunder, as they relate tot he operation, refurbishment and redevelopment of existing hydropower generation stations, and development of new hydropower generation stations. Conversations regarding the interpretation of certain clauses of The Fisheries Act that potentially impact the development and operations of some hydropower facilities. Application of Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits for HydroPower industry as compared to other technologies.

International development; climate finance and agricultural sustainability; and public engagement and domestic support. Discussions on the clarification of the new trade and development policy. Global Affairs Canada (GAC)'s focus remains on poverty reduction and discussions on tied aid are not a priority. Climate finance should contribute to sustainable agricultural outcomes. There was also a discussion on moving from isolated development interventions toward more integrated systems approaches - silos to systems. With regards to public engagement and support for international development, there was a discussion on potential government support for sector-wide initiatives. Additionally, there was discussion on the possibility of GAC conducting research to understand how civil society organizations (CSOs) engage Canadians on international development issues. International development. Discussion about the strategic importance of international development aid to Canada's economy, national security and values. Additionally, we sought to understand the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC)'s position on aid and asked that resilient food systems be prioritized in the party's international development platform. International development. Make resilient food systems an aid priority and ensure the development-trade approach focuses on poverty reduction. localization and sustainability. Official development assistance should continue to focus on gender and localization. in this regard, at least $5.5 billion of ODA per annum should go towards poverty reduction in developing countries. Climate finance should prioritize vulnerable groups, support biodiversity and minimize debt. Canada should triple climate finance to $15.9 billion for 2026-2031. The 5-year pledge announced in spring 2026 was much lower. We “welcomed” it and will continue to work on quality issues. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Group (HPAG) and position HPAG as a thought-partner and ally for Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, gaining the ear of the Ambassador and his team for future influencing; highlight the prominence of Canadian international non governmental organizations (INGOs) within the humanitarian sector globally, highlighting the proportion and significance of Canadian aid; and to understand the Ambassador’s priorities and key next steps as he embarks on a new mandate. International Development. Discussion showcasing the results from our Nature Positive project which is part of the Partnering for Climate (P4C) program. The project responds to poverty and hunger, addressing climate change and building long-term economic resilience in sub-Saharan Africa. We asked for support in ensuring Canada’s next climate finance commitment prioritizes smallholder farmers and their communities in the Global South in adapting to climate change. International development. Discussion on Canada's official development assistance (ODA) and the need for it to prioritize food security. As a global leader in agriculture and food, Canada should help communities around the world dealing with rising food prices, climate change and conflict by prioritizing support for agriculture and food systems in its ODA. International development and international relations. Discussion on the importance of focusing on food security in humanitarian efforts, in light of the expected cuts to development funding. Additionally, discussion on the importance of official development assistance (ODA), alongside trade and economic stability to Canada, highlighting that ODA facilitates other aspects of international relationships. Discussion about Canada's official development assistance, its value to Canadian foreign policy and an appeal for Canada not to reduce aid but to show global leadership following the USAID cuts and decreases in aid budgets by some donor countries. Discussion about Canada's official development aid (ODA) and its valu

Policies or Program • Connect with government officials to discuss opportunities to support Canada's health care system and to improve seniors care in Canada. Grant, Contribution or Other Financial Benefit • To advocate for future budgetary funding for the Canadian Association for Long Term Care, including funding for health human resources and long-term care infrastructure support, as well as funding and other supports for COVID-19 related challenges.

CFIB supports the principle behind the Canada Jobs Grant but encourages flexibility in its implementation and consideration of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)' needs. For example, introducing a permanent refundable tax credits for co-op and internship hires and reducing red tape from programs like Canada Summer Jobs to make it easier for small businesses to continue hiring youth. Advocating on behalf of small and medium-sized businesses to facilitate trade between Canada and other countries (CAN-US tariffs, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Chinese tariffs). Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shares its suggestions for Budget 2026 focusing on: reducing the small business tax rate from 9% to 6% and increasing the small business deduction (SBD) threshold to $700,000 and index it to inflation going forward. Canada is experiencing an “entrepreneurial drought”: a sustained period where business closures consistently outpace new business starts, leading to a shrinking entrepreneurial base and declining confidence in entrepreneurship. CFIB recommends that reversing this trend should be treated as a national economic priority. Sharing small businesses' views on Labour Code changes, impact on small businesses and the need to ensure the fluidity of the supply chain. Sharing survey results on improving CFIA customer service to encourage the review of their operations to better meet the needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) - reducing red tape and facilitating food mobility within Canada. Sharing data information and recommendations related to the state of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) overall and for specific sectors which could also include provincial data. Promoting reforms to the Competition Act that will ensure small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete in today’s economy, especially as small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have noted an increase in large corporate giants within Canada. Shipping costs pose a significant barrier for small business, as such we continue to advocate for favourable shipping rates with carriers (including the cost of shipping along with better service levels and addressing the work stoppage at Canada Post). Presenting the views of small business owners based on our survey data to the Canada Revenue Agency to share ways of improving customer service interactions with small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to ease the tax burden on small business owners as well as increase accountability within the agency. CFIB continues to monitor the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Act on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and other issues raised related to the mandate of Health Canada. We also continue to monitor customer service interactions between our members and Health Canada. Any issues are raised with officials. CFIB advocates for simplification to the federal procurement process on behalf of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Lobbying to reduce Red Tape by focusing on removing interprovincial trade barriers, facilitating labour mobility and improving government customer service. This includes providing input for the consultations on the Annual Regulatory Modernization Bill. Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax Administration with regards to Transitional Rules, Out of Province Sales Rules, Point-of-Sale Rebate, and fillings. Retirement Income Policies, and proposed Canada Pension Plan increases. CFIB is against mandatory increases in Canada Pension Plan, and has provided alternative approaches. CFIB has also shared recommendations to reduce disincentives to work for older workers. Presenting the views of small business owners on infrastructure spending through member survey results, mandate votes and other CFIB research. Offering funding solutions and alternatives to government proposals on transit and infrastructure expansion. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

Advocate greater transparency in Canada’s fisheries Advocate for Canada to sign on to the global Mombasa Declaration Federal support for plastic alternatives and reuse policies. Policies to support a circular economy in Canada. Advocating for harmful chemicals to be eliminated from plastics used in food packaging. Advocating for harmful chemicals to be eliminated from plastics used in food packaging. Funding to co-ordinate refill options at FIFA 2026 Advocating for modernizing the Fisheries Act and policies to be inclusive of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, ecosystem-approaches and climate change. Advocate for the implementation of the precautionary approach framework for forage fish stocks. Advocate for the batching of certain stocks under the new rebuilding regulations and implementing rebuilding plans. Improved transparency and traceability in the seafood value chain in Canada to combat seafood fraud (defined as any activity that misrepresents the product that is being purchased) through improved labelling and documentation, traceability verification measures and greater consumer information. Advocating for the public availability of information regarding fish stock targets and limits through annual reports. Advocating for sustainable fisheries decisions. Advocating for regulations on recycled content for certain plastic manufactured items. Advocating for improvement to fisheries and shipping measures that will protect North Atlantic right whales. This includes changes to regulations under the Fisheries Act and Canada Shipping Act. Advocate for the creation of a registry for plastic manufactured items. Advocate for marine protected areas.