Helen Smiley
Director General, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)·5 communications in the past year
Lobbied by
Climate Caucus Council
1Recommendations for national policies including high-speed rail transportation, home building, electric grid expansion, resilience strategies and changes to current industry tax allowances. The importance of building an East-North-West clean electricity grid as a federally-mandated, nation-building project. Public transportation, including high-speed rail. Seeking funding for local governments to implement climate change programming and initiatives in their communities that relates to adaptation, mitigation, climate staff positions, climate planning, pilot projects, and feasibility studies. Policy and program recommendations that relate to and impact local governments and their ability to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to the changing climate. This includes programming for GHG reductions and to implement local adaptation measures.
Environmental Defence Canada
1Advising 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
Halton Industry Education Council
1Advocating for direct funding through the federal budget to support the organization's employment services, including job-matching and wrap-around supports. Setting up meetings to position ApprenticeSearch.com as a recipient of funding under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Canadian Apprenticeship Service, and the Skilled Trades Awareness Readiness Program.
Kit Public Relations
International Institute for Sustainable Development
1Canadian Government policies and programs in support of natural infrastructure. Canadas international assistance including support for sustainable development, climate action and nature protection. Canadas positions on issues that will be negotiated in the lead up to and at the Conference of the Parties for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, including international commitments pertaining to climate change mitigation and adaptation and climate finance. Major Nation-Building Projects and Canadas climate competitiveness strategy. Regulation of greenhouse gas emissions including oil and gas emissions cap. Support for IISDs Experimental Lakes Areas from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Canadas Policy on Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies to reduce fossil fuel subsidies. Decarbonization of industrial sectors in relation to the Output-based Pricing System (OBPS) for industrial emissions. Canadas participation in and support for (through NRCAN) the Intergovernmental Forum for Mining, Metals and Minerals for which IISD is the Secretariat.
Ontario Power Generation
1- Partnership discussions with Canadian Commercial Corporation and/or Export Development Canada. - Issues pertaining to OPG's existing nuclear operations or new nuclear opportunities in regards to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). - Re - the Fisheries Act encouraging regulatory reform, harmonization and equivalencies amongst the regulators to reduce duplication and encourage more efficient use of resources while continuing to manage risk of existing OPG operations as it relates to fish and fish habitat. - Re - Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act with regard to language, timing and liability limit, insurance requirements and to make it compatible with the Convention of Supplementary Compensation. - Regulatory Framework for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada in respect to controlling greenhouse gas and conventional air pollutant emissions in the electricity sector including advocating for a role of nuclear energy in meeting targets Regulatory approach to prohibit asbestos and products containing asbestos including advocating for reasonable timeframe to phase out all asbestos containing products. - Regulations to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sectors fossil fuel-fired electricity generation units, advocating the role that existing and uprated natural gas plants play in the electricity market and seeking compliance flexibility for thermal units burning gas to provide grid reliability due to regulation. Advocating for the development of low-emitting Nuclear, Hydroelectric and Hydrogen Developments in meeting targets. Regulations regarding requirements and guidance for managing fitness for duty of workers in relation to alcohol and drug use and abuse at high-security sites. Regulations regarding polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). - Re - Federal Waterways with respect to developing tangible actions for and improved policy and practical business practices among infrastructure and operators. Investment discussions with Canada Infrastructure Bank and Canada Growth Fund Inc. Issues pertaining to federal legislation, policies and programs with respect to OPG's existing nuclear operations or new nuclear opportunities including small modular reactors (SMRs). Issues pertaining to federal legislation, policies and programs with respect to hydrogen. Issues pertaining to federal legislation, policies and programs related to energy storage facilities. Issues pertaining to federal legislation, policies, programs, and permits and other approvals affecting OPGs current operations as well as other potential opportunities including in the areas of new generation development and/or other economic opportunities including electrification, as well as to support collaboration and partnership between Indigenous communities and OPG. - In respect to the Protection of Electricity Critical Infrastructure in Canada, including expediting background checks for prospective employees and contractors, changes to the Criminal Code of Canada relating to "Interference with Electricity Critical Infrastructure" (copper wire theft), "Priority Access for Electricity Critical Infrastructure Personnel to receive Vaccinations and Antivirals" and priority access to "Telecommunications Spectrum". Discussion on subjects related to the MOU signed by Canada and the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) to help identify the precise domains in which Canadian suppliers could export expertise and technologies on a commercial basis to the ITER Project and OPGs interest in leading and acting as an agent for the cooperation with ITER. - Changes to the Impact Assessment Act or implementing regulations, including towards achievement of improved alignment with the ongoing licensing process for nuclear facilities under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. - Changes to the Canada Labour Code as they apply to nuclear new build activities in respect to allowing coordination between provincial and federal labour requirements App
PEMBINA INSTITUTE
1The application of regulations under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, National Energy Board Act, and Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Tax incentives for clean energy sectors. Phasing out tax preferences for fossil fuel sector. Future federal greenhouse gas regulations. Federal support for clean energy, electricity, energy efficiency, building retrofits, sustainable transportation, carbon sequestration and/or removal, and sustainable jobs.
University of Alberta
1Advocacy 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
University of Calgary
1Support for new research and campus infrastructure. Increased funding and program design for various programs administered by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Funding or support with respect to international development cooperation (student and academic mobility, internships, research collaboration, exchanges, technical assistance). Discussions regarding possible research and development initiatives for, and investments in, partnerships with the University of Calgary. Discussions concerning potential research and development initiatives and investments related to clean energy, environmental research and climate change policy. Discussions about policy implementation regarding the academic visa process in support of international faculty recruitment with respect to changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Budget bills in support of federal funding for post-secondary education, research, innovation, science and technology.
Équiterre
1Indice de durabilité, droit à la réparation, obsolescence des biens, concurrence, protection des consommateurs et emplois verts. Transport: politiques de mobilité durable, modes de transport émergents, électrification des transports Politiques et programmes relatifs aux changements climatiques. Nouvelles lois et réglementations nécessaires pour atteindre nos objectifs engagé lors de la COP21 à Paris, incluant soumettre des recommandations pour le développement du cadre pan-canadien sur le climat et la croissance propre et de nouveau programmes fédéraux pour réduire les GES. Discussion sur la santé des sols, les programmes favorisant les cultures résiliantes et gestion et réglementation des pesticides et autres intrants. Loi canadienne sur la protection de l'environnement et plus précisément le projet de Règlement sur les émissions de gaz à effet de serre des automobiles à passagers et des camions léger Investissements fédéraux en infrastructure, transport collectif et infrastructure vertes Politiques et programmes relatifs aux changements climatiques, à la transition juste et à l'adaptation aux changements climatiques, Évaluation environnementale des projets énergétiques. Cadre législatif sur les organismes de bienfaisance. Supporter des changements à la loi Canadienne régissant les organismes de bienfaisance au Canada du Ministère du Revenu du Canada, ainsi que les règlements et directives des fonctionnaires de Revenu Canada quant à l'application de la loi, pour assurer que les organismes de bienfaisances du Canada puisse continuer leur travail sans risque pour leur statut charitable. Budget: Discussion sur différentes mesures et modalités pour rendre le budget fédéral plus responsable du point de vue environnemental.