Erin Connell

Engage the Department of National Defence on upskilling and retraining of personnel. Align new post-graduate work permit restrictions to provincial labour market needs, and ensure that colleges have sufficient lead time to put new credit programs in place to provide the training required. Work with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to discuss international student visa processing times and the need to expand the Student Direct Stream. Engage with government officials regarding skills training opportunities under the Skills for Success, Sectoral Workplace Solutions, and Just Transition programs. Engage Innovation, Science, and Industry Canada and PrairiesCAN to expand the AI Pathways Partnership project to develop capacity at NorQuest for learning surrounding AI and upskill learners. Engage in discussions regarding health human resources to identify opportunities to expand training and employment for Indigenous and newcomer health care providers. Engage Indigenous Services Canada in discussions regarding funding opportunities for Indigenous students in Alberta seeking academic upgrade. Engage Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to expand the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Encourage flexibility in learning modalities to qualify for post-graduation work permits. Access federal funding for newcomer settlement services.

Exploring a potential partnership for the SSHRC Policy and Innovation Grant. Engage the Department of National Defence on upskilling and retraining of personnel. To engage with government toward adoption of Recognized Institutions Framework. Align new post-graduate work permit restrictions to provincial labour market needs, and ensure that colleges have sufficient lead time to put new credit programs in place to provide the training required. Work with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to discuss international student visa processing times and the need to expand the Student Direct Stream. Engage with government officials regarding skills training opportunities under the Skills for Success, Sectoral Workplace Solutions, and Just Transition programs. Engage Innovation, Science, and Industry Canada and PrairiesCAN to expand the AI Pathways Partnership project to develop capacity at NorQuest for learning surrounding AI and upskill learners. Engage in discussions regarding health human resources to identify opportunities to expand training and employment for Indigenous and newcomer health care providers. Engage Indigenous Services Canada in discussions regarding funding opportunities for Indigenous students in Alberta seeking academic upgrade. Engage Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to expand the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Encourage flexibility in learning modalities to qualify for post-graduation work permits. Access federal funding for newcomer settlement services.

Conversations regarding solutions to enable labour mobility across Canada.

Blue Branch is seeking funding opportunities for utilizing labour mobility to strengthen workforce development in critical mineral projects. Engaging federal departments to seek further information and funding opportunities to continue moving Internationally Educated Health Care Professionals into rural and remote communities through a labour mobility approach. Blue Branch is looking to help tackle the labour crisis by connecting skilled workers with employers using “supercommuting,” a model that encourages workers to travel for work for stints of time while not forcing them to uproot their lives. In an effort to increase the uptake of labour mobility and facilitate the movement of workers, Blue Branch is seeking to work with government to address barriers such as housing, skilled trade shortages, and construction.

Urging Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, in collaboration with Health Canada, to reconsider introducing copayments for medications and supplemental health services under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for refugees and asylum seekers. Pandemic Planning: ensure all nurses are properly supported and protected by maintaining appropriate stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE), providing mental health supports for those working on the front lines, and ensuring nursing students receive adequate assistance. Increase access to education and training for nurses returning to work or working across various care settings during public health emergencies. Ensure clear guidelines and resources are developed and disseminated, and that senior nurses are included in discussions and advisory boards during emergency planning phases as well as in post-emergency reviews. Discussions aim to ensure that artificial intelligence and emerging health technologies are developed, assessed, and approved in ways that meet the needs of the Canadian population. Communications emphasize the importance of integrating nursing perspectives into governance, regulation, clinical and ethical evaluation, and approval processes for new technologies. Communications relate to ongoing efforts to strengthen the collection, harmonization, and use of nursing workforce data at the pan-Canadian level. Discussions include modelling future health and workforce needs, supporting evidence-based health human resource planning, and investing in robust data systems to inform public policy and decision-making. Discussions include a request for federal funding to support the organization of CNA's 2026 national conference, which will bring together nursing leaders, health system partners, and policy-makers to advance dialogue on workforce priorities, innovation, public health, and health system transformation. Communications address the need for federal investment in strategies to improve retention of nursing professionals, including support for mental health and well-being, improved working conditions, continuing professional development, and initiatives to reduce burnout and strengthen workforce stability across all regions of Canada. Discussions focus on measures to expand the capacity to educate and support Indigenous nurses across Canada, including targeted investments in nursing education programs, partnerships with Indigenous and community-based institutions, and initiatives that improve access, retention, and graduation outcomes for Indigenous nursing students. Support the development of a national licensure framework for nurses. Enhance nursing leadership at the federal level and ensure ongoing support, resources, and sustainability for Chief Nursing Officer roles in all provinces and territories. Communications relate to federal measures aimed at protecting health-care workers, including initiatives to improve workplace safety, prevent harassment and violence, and strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks that support a safe and respectful environment for health professionals. Bill S-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assault against persons who provide health services and first responders) Harmonize nursing regulatory practices to support a responsive and sustainable nursing workforce Support a Canadian Nurse Practitioner Initiative based on past similar initiatives Allow nurses to certify the Disability Tax Credit form Seek funding for nursing research, including Indigenous nursing Create a pan-Canadian health human resources strategy Urging the federal government to lead the development of and work with the provinces and territories to implement a pan-Canadian digital health strategy. That the federal government lead efforts to educate health-care workers on the importance of medication safety and deprescribing Support for regulated nurses working at full scope of practice Strengthening of programs and supports for vulnerable po

Clean electricity regulations and emissions cap Investing in Employment Insurance, care workers, unionized jobs and strong workplace standards Addressing the high cost of living and investing in affordable housing Implementation of universal pharmacare, dental care, long term care and mental health care Labour provisions in the Canada-Ecuador Trade Agreement and Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. The regularization of undocumented workers, update and possible next steps for the CLC Out-of-status Construction Workers in the GTA project Bill C-65, Canada Elections Act With interest in provisions that impact Third Parties and contributions to Third Parties Bill C-27, Digitial Charter Implementation Act - Part III of C-27 and the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and workers.

NATIONAL ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLE STRATEGY: Communicating with government officials about the National Zero-Emissions Vehicle Strategy, more specifically (i) providing expert industry input on the strategy, (ii) participating in various advisory groups and (iii) participating in the government review and any future activities related to this topic. These communications will involve discussions about design, infrastructure, incentives, supply, and public awareness. NEW MARKET ENTRANTS: Communicating with government officials about new market entrants into Canada, including ensuring there is a level playing field with automakers regarding the sale and assembly of vehicles in Canada. INTERNATIONAL TRADE: Communicating with government officials about international trade, trade issues and support measures related to the automotive industry and automotive manufacturing, including potential tariffs on automobiles, automotive parts and batteries. GHG REGULATIONS: Communicating with government officials about greenhouse gas regulations and any related consultations with respect to the current or future Canadian standards. COMPETITIVENESS AND ECONOMIC & TRADE UNCERTAINTY: Communicating with government officials about potential support, policies and programs, including but not limited to the Auto Strategy and its pillars, Employment Insurance (EI), preventing labour disruptions (and to re-train employees) and maintain manufacturing competitiveness given the current economic and trade uncertainty. STRATEGIC RESPONSE FUND (SRF) AND STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND ("SIF"): Communicating with government officials about funding under the Strategic Innovation Fund and the newly created Strategic Response Fund, to ensure and maintain the competitiveness of automobile manufacturing in Canada. REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Communicating with government officials about regional economic development programs and funding, including those offered by the Federal Economic Development Agency. BANK ACT: Communicating with the Government of Canada about the statutory review of the Bank Act, SC 1991, c. 46, more specifically about vehicle leasing. VEHICLE THEFT: Communicating with government officials about vehicle thefts across Canada, including measures to limit vehicle theft. The goal of these communications is, in part, to ensure cross-departmental coordination in addressing the issue. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Communicating with government officials about the processing of travel documents, more specifically visas. MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT: Communicating with government officials about the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, more specifically (i) alignment with American safety standards, (ii) flexibility on regulations for vehicles, (iii) target setting for greenhouse gas emissions and (iv) improved recall completion rates. MEASURES AGAINST FORCED AND CHILD LABOUR: Communicating with government officials about measures to eliminate forced and child labour, more specifically (i) monitoring legislative and regulatory developments to increase supply chain transparency and (ii) ensuring industry has enough time to comply with future supply chain transparency obligations. LUXURY TAX: Communicating with government officials about luxury taxes, more specifically (i) ensuring luxury taxes are removed from electric vehicles ("EVs"), (ii) ensuring luxury taxes are removed (or reduced) on recreational boats and (iii) ensuring luxury taxes do not conflict with other government measures, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. INVESTMENT TAX INCENTIVES: Communicating with government officials about investment tax incentives under the Income Tax Act, including the Investment Tax Credit ("ITC"). INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WORK: Communicating with government officials about international students, more specifically eligibility for off-campus work during studies at a designated learning institutions (“DLIs”). ELECTRIC VEHICHLE ("EV") INFRASTRUCTURE: Communicating with government officia

Discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the Canadian job market and opportunities for reskilling. Discuss apprenticeship training, skills development, and digital credentials for the Canadian Armed Forces Discuss labour mobility in Canada with the introduction of a National Skills Passport Expand access to reliable, secure English language testing options for immigration, citizenship and foreign student admission to Canada.

To ensure that speech-language pathologists and audiologists are understood for their role in the national early learning system. To be involved in the training and programming of early childhood educators Taxation and Finance - Changes to the disability tax credit for hearing including advocacy to amend the Income Tax Act. Qualitative and quantitative study of speech, language and hearing for First Nations, Inuit and Metis populations. Seeking funding for Qualitative and quantitative sstudy of speech, language and hearing for First Nations, Inuit and Metis populations. Source of funding to be determined. National Seniors Strategy-to discuss the role of communication health professionals in a national seniors strategy. National Concussion Strategy-The need for a national strategy on concussion and the role of SAC's member profession. National Autism Strategy-The need for a national strategy on autism spectrum disorder and the role of SAC's member professions in such a strategy. Introduction of Acoustical Standards for Classrooms in Canada or adoption of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards (US). Include the services of audiologists and speech-language pathologists in an aging at home tax benefit Include Speech-Language and Audiologists in the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program Health - to discuss improved policies around audiology benefits through the federal health care partnership Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Department of national Defense (DND) and Health Canada) Guidelines for Children's Hearing Health- National guidelines for early hearing detection and intervention. Budget - include a national program that ensures universal access to newborn hearing screening and include programs to facilitate the early identification and intervention of speech and language disorders in young children. Be involved in the regulation of over-the counter hearing aids.

Charitable Sector Reform writ large. Includes engaging with government on necessary reform to enable the sector to flourish. Seeking non-monetary support from the Public Service in regards to the employee charitable giving campaign. Funding for community services and programs for children, youth, seniors, low income individuals, people seeking employment, newcomers, women and other community members. Budget with respect to: -investment in community services infrastructure -the community services labour force -housing and homelessness -mental health and other services -enabling measures for the work of charitable and nonprofit sector.

Raise awareness with elected and departmental officials about the work that Windmill is doing to support immigrants, newcomers and refugees. Explore opportunities for federal referral partnership. Discuss what we can all do to facilitate labour market integration for skilled immigrants and explore opportunities for new program and additional federal funding.