Heather McPherson

Advocating for upholding Canada's commitments to international human rights. Advocating for the protection of freedom of religion in Canada and with respect to the reasonable accommodation of religious observances. Advocating for stronger legislation to address hate crime and online hate. Advocating for policy initiatives related to combating Islamophobia and discrimination; Supporting various programs to protect fundamental freedoms in Canada. Advocating for policies to enhance the security and safety of Canadian Muslim communities and other at-risk communities given the rise in hate crimes; countering supremacist violent extremist groups

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada - As it relates to emergency relief and humanitarian programming Women and Gender-Equality (WAGE) - Discussion on the gender-based violence (GBV) grant concerning changes to budget line items, extensions on timelines, and updating WAGE staff on the project as needed. Special Representative on Islamophobia - As it related to any suffering/issues our community is facing Global Affairs Canada: Humanitarian assistance and Development grants, women and security policies and programs, humanitarian access policies as it relates to NGO operations Foreign Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety, and Justice as it relates to international development, specifically looking at legislation and policies relating to humanitarian access and humanitarian work (For example, Canada's criminal code and sanctions regime) Canada Revenue Agency Rules and Regulations as it pertains to auditing charities

Women and Gender-Equality (WAGE) - Discussion on the gender-based violence (GBV) grant concerning changes to budget line items, extensions on timelines, and updating WAGE staff on the project as needed. Special Representative on Islamophobia - As it related to any suffering/issues our community is facing Global Affairs Canada: Humanitarian assistance and Development grants, women and security policies and programs, humanitarian access policies as it relates to NGO operations Foreign Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety, and Justice as it relates to international development, specifically looking at legislation and policies relating to humanitarian access and humanitarian work (For example, Canada's criminal code and sanctions regime) Canada Revenue Agency Rules and Regulations as it pertains to auditing charities

The Official Development Assistance Accountability Act and its cross-partisan support. Canadian International Development Program: we want the Government to maintain a strong commitment towards poverty reduction in developing countries, through a good and clear policy framework and through funds and programs that allow Canadian Civil Society Organizations to participate actively in international development, with their local partners. (including humanitarian assistance) A project to enhance contributions of Canadian civil society organizations (CSOs) to the effectiveness of Canada’s international cooperation efforts.

Canadian International Development Program: we want the Government to maintain a strong commitment towards poverty reduction in developing countries, through a good and clear policy framework and through funds and programs that allow Canadian Civil Society Organizations to participate actively in international development, with their local partners. (including humanitarian assistance)

Canada’s role in advancing global reform Participation in and informal conversations regarding legislative bills Discussing arms embargo on Israel civil society delegation engaging on LGBTQIA+ rights International relations and development assistance LGBTQIA+ persecution and how Canada must act through diplomacy, funding, envoy pathways Canadian Foreign Policy in the Mesoamerica, the Caribbean and South America Investing in Women Peacebuilders to Address the Climate, Conflict, and Gender Nexu Responding to global economic crises: Canada’s role and responsibilities Engagement with Canadian foreign policy and international assistance across global regions International Development Week to urge stronger support for international development as a strategic pillar of Canada’s foreign policy. global debt crisis and Canada’s role as a bilateral lender and in global debt reform. participated in the Cooperation Canada Hill Day event advocate for Gender Justice, Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Migrant Justice and climate justice Canada’s international trade policy and international development policy around the world Canada's international development policy with respect to immigration Canada policy in regard to Indigenous/Racialized people Concerns regarding climate Human Rights Concerns in the world Canada’s international trade policy and international development policy with respect in promoting a just peace in Palestine and Israel Encourage the Canadian government to meet its commitments to increase the international assistance envelop in budget in context of high food insecurity, increasing disasters due to impact of climate change, FIAP and advancing gender equality Canada's international development assistance and prioritize women-led grassroots organizations. labeling of Israeli settlement goods entering Canada; and support for exclusion of settlement products from Canada-Israeli Free Trade Agreement Canada’s international trade policy and international development policy with respect to mining in Africa in general terms. No discussion of any particular proposal, bill, program, regulation, policy or program. Canada's international trade policy and international development policy with respect to mining in El Salvedor and Guatemala

Increases to the International Assistance Envelope Allocations of the International Assistance Envelope Advocating spending priorities related to the dissemination of Canada's Official Development Assistance envelope to ensure that aid is targetted at initiatives that serve the world's poorest. Advocating for increased investment toward tuberculosis elimination, specifically through the creation of a national tuberculosis elimination strategy.

Influence spending priorities within Canada's International Assistance Envelope to ensure these funds reach the poorest and most vulnerable. Advocate for Canada's continuous support and contribution to eradicate preventable diseases globally. Advocate for Africa to remain a key focus on Canada's International Development Policy.

Advocating for the creation an independent Ombudsperson for the international extractive-sector in Canada. Introducing mechanisms to ensure government support to Canadian mining, oil and gas companies overseas is conditioned on their respect of international human rights and environmental standards, including the right of indigenous peoples to free prior and informed consent. Introducing regulatory mechanisms in Canada, such as mandatory corporate accountability standards, to ensure respect of human rights by Canadian extractive companies in overseas operations. Introducing reforms to facilitate access to Canadian courts by foreign plaintiffs alleging serious harm associated with Canadian companies operating overseas. Discussing with public officer holders to ensure the application of the United Nation’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and fulfillment of Canada's international human rights obligations.

Introducing regulatory mechanisms in Canada, such as mandatory corporate accountability standards, to ensure respect of human rights by Canadian extractive companies in overseas operations. Introducing reforms to facilitate access to Canadian courts by foreign plaintiffs alleging serious harm associated with Canadian mining companies operating overseas. Introducing mechanisms to ensure government support to Canadian mining, oil and gas companies overseas is conditioned on their respect of international human rights and environmental standards, including the right of indigenous peoples to free prior and informed consent. Discussing with public officer holders to ensure the application of the United Nation’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and fulfillment of Canada's international human rights obligations. Advocating for the creation an independent Ombudsperson for the international extractive-sector in Canada.

Advocating for Canada to continue to invest in ODA at scale, while ensuring that the promotion of gender equality remains central to Canada’s development objectives Gender Equality programs, with regard to women's leadership and support to feminist movements in Canada. Advocacy related to tackling inequality in Canada and globally, including taxation to address extreme wealth inequality. Advocacy related to Canada’s national Early Learning and Child Care system. Canada’s policies and programs on humanitarian assistance and crisis response, emphasizing the need for feminist, locally led, and principled humanitarian action. This includes urging Canada to uphold international humanitarian law, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and provide equitable, flexible, and multi-year funding for humanitarian response in conflict and climate-affected contexts Advocacy on Canada’s international policies and programs related to immigration, refugees, and humanitarian response, ensuring gender-responsive approaches that uphold human rights and protection for displaced women, girls, and marginalized communities. Obtain contributions from Global Affairs Canada programs with respect to Oxfam international development projects and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Obtain contributions from GAC, ESDC, IDRC, IAAC and WAGE to fight poverty and promote women's rights and gender equality. Federal legislation on corporate due diligence for human rights and the environment. Federal budget regarding international development assistance and provision of funding for gender equality initiatives. Canada’s policies and programs on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Canada’s laws, policies and programs in relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, especially women, girls, trans and Two-spirit people. Canada's policies on climate change, with regard to gender-responsive mitigation and adaptation commitments, and funding for adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage in low- and middle-income countries.

Advocacy related to university engagement in Canadian priorities in artificial intelligence, data systems and related computing science and energy subjects, including but not limited to specific calls for proposals. Advocacy for university initiatives related to Canadian priorities across the defence spectrum, including initiatives relevant to both Defence and Veterans' Affairs, among other federal departments. Advocacy to enhance support for university research mobilization and commercialization activities. Research security, with respect to international research partnerships 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. Discussions regarding research and development initiatives and federal support related to energy and environment, and climate change research, innovation, commercialization, talent and knowledge mobilization. Discussions regarding official language funding amounts and mechanisms. Discussions about the Copyright Act and details of its implementation in a post-secondary setting. Advocacy to secure support in the budget for post-secondary education, research, innovation, and science and technology. 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, CIHR) and other departments and agencies. Advocacy to improve immigration policies and programs for prospective and current 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 student supports, including but no limited to Canada Student Grants and Loans, the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program, supports for Indigenous students, and work-integrated learning programs. Advocacy to advance Canadian leadership in priority areas to support world class research, talent attraction and retention, and knowledge mobilization. Advocacy related to reconciliation efforts, including but not limited to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

Advising on the climate, environmental, and economic risks of new bitumen pipelines and related fossil fuel industry expansion, and seeking to mitigate harms. Seeking to stop proposal changes to Impact Assessment Act, Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act that the federal government released a spring 2026 discussion paper concerning proposed changes to the IAA, Fisheries Act and SARA that would significantly weaken protection of environment and human health Seeking that the federal government deny changes to the Tripartite Agreement, and therefore not enable a process toward expanding the Toronto Island Airport to accommodate jets. Supporting the federal government's plans and financial support for decarbonizing steel production in Canada. Seeking Cabinet Emergency Order to protect the critical habitat of piping plover at Wasaga Beach Supporting the federal government in its negotiation of a strong international treaty on plastic pollution. Supporting federal action establishing a Federal Plastics Registry requiring producers to report annually on the quantity and types of plastic they place on the Canadian market, how it moves through the economy, and how it is managed at its end-of-life. Advising on the climate impacts of existing or proposed LNG projects, as well as the global business environment for LNG, and seeking to mitigate harms. Advising on the environmental impacts of projects enabled by Bill C-5 and seeking to mitigate harms. Environmental and industrial strategy approaches to reducing waste and material inputs Seeking a strengthening of the Output-based pricing system intended to make polluters pay Supporting the implementation, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, of Clean Electricity Regulations to mitigate climate change and build a low carbon future. Supporting stronger regulations under the Fisheries Act on Oil Sands Mining Effluent Release. Supporting investment in systems for reuse and refill as an alternative to single-use packaging. Supporting a Climate-Aligned Finance Act, that would include enforcing science-based targets and holding financial institutions accountable to them. Federal Budget - providing resources for environmental initiatives, including climate change, public transit, renewable energy, climate finance accountability, investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, pollution abatement and enforcement, economic transition, sustainable jobs, aligning federal spending with climate objectives and restricting resources for fossil fuels. Rouge National Urban Park expansion involving the former Pickering Airport lands. Supporting the strengthening of current and future federal government emission reduction targets. Ensure a green investments Taxonomy does not include fossil fuels. Advancing climate transition plans across the economy, requiring federally regulated financial institutions and large companies to develop and implement plans that align their business with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Supporting federal action to protect communities and ecosystems from local impacts in the oil sands, including from seeping oil sands process water. Supporting the establishment, under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA), of regulations requiring disclosure, and prohibitions, restrictions, or container requirements for certain human health hazards of concern (HHHOCs) in consumer chemical products. Supporting the establishment of the Canada Public Transit Fund and negotiated infrastructure funding agreements with provinces, territories, and cities, where the federal government would establish land-use standards near federally funded transit stations, establish zero-emission bus procurement requirements and expand operations funding to increase transit service levels. Supporting the establishment, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, of regulations to address plastic pollution. Supporting the establishment, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, of reg