Élysée Martin Atangana

Engagement with the federal government on Artificial Intelligence (AI), including policy development, regulation, and the deployment of AI Programs and digital infrastructure across industries. Provide recommendations on governments policy on nuclear power development across Canada. Federal engagement on Transportation Infrastructure projects (Roads/Bridges/Ports). Engagement with the federal government on approval process for infrastructure projects pertaining to the Major Projects Office. Engage on federal government priorities on Natural Resources, Mining and Energy sectors

Bill S-4 Amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act BILL C-5: An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act Canada-United States trade and the impact of tariffs on the appliance industry Energy Efficiency Regulations, with respect to energy efficiency standards and labeling of home appliances. Energy Efficiency Act, respecting the Powers of Minister. Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste Agenda including plastic bans, a federal public registry, recycled plastic content and new labelling requirements.

Legislative proposals and policy changes affecting local economies, the investment climate and general competitiveness of the beverage sector in Canada, including tax, tariff advertising, CUSMA, labelling and pre-budget consultations. Matters regarding the regulation of environmental labelling, recycled content and single-use plastics; discussion about the collection and recycling of beverage containers. Improving regulatory interpretation (guidance) development to enhance regulatory transparency and outcomes Food and Drug Regulations as it pertains to food ingredients, food additives, food labelling, food advertising and food safety. Beverage container recycling programs, recycling targets for beverage containers, a federal plastics registry, national standards for extended producer responsibility reporting, environmental labelling, recycled content requirements, microplastics, single-use plastics, and international plastics policy and agreements.

GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Reform Canada’s procurement system to support investment and ensure a competitive business environment. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Ensuring fair and open procurement practices to drive innovation and technology adoption in Canada. HOUSING - Advocate for policies and legislation that enable the creation of more housing supply, incentivize investment in residential construction and housing – enabling infrastructure, and support the development of skilled labour we need, whether domestically or through immigration, to restore housing affordability to Canadian families. TAXATION AND FINANCE – With regard to the measurement and improvement of Canada’s tax competitiveness, including: reforming the taxation, remittance, filing and audit processes of Canadian businesses and tax policy which improves the competitiveness of the Canadian business environment INTERNATIONAL TRADE – With respect to issues relating to trade controls, including tariffs, import and export controls, sanctions, and trade remedies. INDUSTRY - Improving the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program to drive innovation; increase the role that the federal government plays in creating opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to digitalize and conduct more business activities online; developing a digital economy strategy for Canada. HEALTH – Ensuring we improve access to necessary medicines by building on rather than displacing the important role of private insurers and respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction. CYBER SECURITY - Encouraging the government to prioritize cybersecurity innovation, talent development, and critical infrastructure resilience; modernize research and development; accelerate commercialization in the space; support the secure digitalization of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and improve the global competitiveness of Canada’s cybersecurity industry. IMMIGRATION - Reducing regulatory burdens for employers; promoting immigration to small, rural and northern communities; supporting regional and local community immigration strategies; maintaining and modernizing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program; Facilitating pathways to permanent residency for temporary residents (international students and TFWs; expediting and simplifying foreign credential recognition, calling for an international student and global talent strategy; improving language training as well as settlement and employment supports to newcomers, aligning immigration programs with labour market needs, improving the Start-Up Visa process, improving client services to potential immigrants and newcomers. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING – National Workforce Strategy, programs that support small and medium sized enterprises, improving collection and dissemination of Labour Market Information, establishing the Employment Insurance Council to institutionalize social dialogue between workers and employers on issues related to employment and training needs, addressing barriers to labour mobility, improving effectiveness of employment supports and skills training. EDUCATION - Aligning employer and workforce needs with education and training; expanding skilling, upskilling, reskilling and work integrated learning opportunities. INFRASTRUCTURE – Improvement of Canada’s infrastructure through the National Infrastructure Assessment, National Supply Chains Strategy, and establishment of a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan. TRANSPORTATION - Regarding the consistent funding of trade-enabling infrastructure projects; the development of a competitive and efficient transportation network including all modes of transportation; the fluidity and stability of supply chain operations, minimizing disruptions. LABOUR - Ensuring that any changes to the Canada Labour Code are implemented in response to defined and demonstrated issues and not to increase regulatory burdens for employers; minimizing labour disruption impacts on Canadian bus

Engage on Canada’s ongoing implementation of Excessive Interest and Financing Expenses Limitation (EIFEL) rules under the Income Tax Act. Engage on issues related to infrastructure investment and the need to focus on lifecycle models in federal infrastructure programs. Engage on issues related to procurement and procurement reforms – including the establishment of a Major Federal Project Office – and the need for consistency and centralized federal leadership in procurement.

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)

Discussions with Transport Canada and other relevant federal departments regarding the deregulation and liberalization of intercity bus services in Canada. The objective is to encourage market-based competition in the sector and to support the removal of federal and provincial regulatory barriers that restrict service entry and expansion.

Launch an LEC-led pilot program through Intergovernmental affairs to help with interprovincial skilled trades certification and employment. Position LEC as a lead delivery partner in the National Workforce Strategy to develop Skilled Trades Talent Hubs serving racialized, newcomer, youth, and women-led communities Launch an LEC-led pilot program funded by the Foreign Credential Recognition Program to help newcomers prepare for skilled trades certification and employment. Include LEC in Build Canada Homes to lead modular housing workforce development and co-create micro-credentials for prefabrication technologies.

Engagement with federal departments and agencies regarding funding, financing to support new nuclear energy generation and transmission. Engagement with federal departments and agencies regarding the development and implementation of Canada’s nuclear energy strategy and related policies affecting the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel and new nuclear energy generation and transmission. This includes recognition of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s role as host Nation, the development of Indigenous-led nuclear and nuclear-enabling infrastructure opportunities, and federal regulatory, governance, and oversight frameworks associated with the DGR project. Engaging with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada regarding consultation frameworks, regulatory processes, and governance considerations associated with the Deep Geological Repository for used nuclear fuel. Engaging with the Department of Finance regarding potential tax policy considerations affecting Indigenous-led infrastructure and economic development projects, including projects located on lands undergoing Addition to Reserve processes. Engaging with Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada regarding Addition to Reserve (ATR) processes associated with lands required for major economic infrastructure projects led by Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. Engaging with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and other federal departments regarding the development of Indigenous-led data centre infrastructure in Northwestern Ontario, including initiatives related to artificial intelligence infrastructure, digital sovereignty, and national data capacity. Secure federal funding commitments to support Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s critical water treatment plant upgrade and related community infrastructure needs, including investments tied to post-majority supports and CHRT capital funding. Engaging with Indigenous Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and FedNor to explore federal support for Wabigoon to lead the modernization and expansion of on-reserve and regional infrastructure, specifically focused on energy systems and digital connectivity, to advance community well-being, regional economic development, and Indigenous-led infrastructure delivery. Secure federal funding to support Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s development of data centres on Nation land through existing and forthcoming programs through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Regional Development Agency for Northern Ontario. Fund and prioritize Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s Indigenous-led modular housing strategy as part of Build Canada Homes, with pre-development support and alignment with Indigenous procurement and workforce plans. Formally recognize Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s Regulatory Assurance and Accountability Protocol (RAAP) as a binding oversight framework in all federal permitting, review, and regulatory processes in relation to the Nation's existing agreement to act as a willing host to Canada's Deep Geological Repository for nuclear waste on their traditional lands. Develop a joint Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation–federal infrastructure strategy to support the Nation’s role as host of the DGR, including investment in housing, roads, utilities, broadband, and emergency services. Establish a technical table between the Government of Canada and the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation to work towards a treaty table to resolve longstanding jurisdictional ambiguity affecting the Nation’s ability to fully engage in planning for the Deep Geological Repository (DGR).