Helena Konanz

Trade and Export Promotion Programs, including the AgriMarketing Program and Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, with respect to increasing export opportunities for Canadian natural health and wellness products Safe Food for Canadians Regulations –Impact on Organic Product Regulations. Impact on GMO labelling for foods. Impact on small businesses. Regulations affiliated with the Cannabis Act regarding the legalization of cannabis; regulatory amendments related to phytocannabinoids Natural Health Products Regulations – fair and consistent interpretation by the regulator. Plain Language Labeling under the self-care products framework. Personal importation of natural health products. Food Directorate and Canadian Food Inspection Agency – draft guidance on foods/supplemented foods/nutrition facts/food labelling and label modernization. GMO mandated labelling for food. Food & Drug Regulation - ensure appropriate interpretation of regulations. Impact on GMO labelling for food. Amendments to the Food and Drugs Act – Ensure sensible rules for natural health products. Address prohibition on sampling of natural health products directly to the consumer. Implication of Health Canada’s proposed Consumer Health Products Framework. Consideration of the 53 recommendations made in 1998 by the Standing Committee on Health.

Federal housing policies, programs, and regulatory frameworks affecting the supply and affordability of housing in Canada, including initiatives that support increased residential construction, innovative building approaches, and the use of Canadian wood products in sustainable and efficient housing development. Federal policies and programs supporting youth employment, workforce participation, and career development opportunities connected to Canada’s forest sector. Federal infrastructure policies and programs affecting economic development and transportation systems relevant to Canada’s forest sector and the communities it supports. Federal rail safety regulations and transportation of dangerous goods frameworks affecting the safe and efficient movement of products and inputs relevant to forest sector operations. Federal budget measures, fiscal policy developments, and economic policy frameworks affecting the forest sector, including measures that support investment, growth, competitiveness, and long-term economic resilience. Federal regulatory frameworks affecting commercial transportation of forest products that support safe and efficient transportation. Federal workforce development and labour market policies affecting employment in Canada’s forest sector, including skills development, labour mobility, immigration pathways, and workforce supports. Canada Transportation Act and related transportation regulatory frameworks affecting freight service, system reliability, and cost competitiveness for forest sector shippers. Federal policies affecting transportation system costs and shipping competitiveness for Canadian forest products, including regulatory and service frameworks. Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Chemicals Management Plan, including substance assessments conducted under the Pest Control Products Act, with respect to science-based regulatory approaches that protect environmental outcomes while supporting industrial competitiveness. Federal tax policy and investment incentive frameworks affecting capital investment, research and development, productivity, and long-term competitiveness in Canada’s forest sector. Federal innovation, clean technology, and industrial development programs that support modernization, advanced manufacturing, and the growth of next-generation forest products. Federal policies and programs supporting Indigenous partnerships, economic participation, and long-term opportunities connected to Canada’s forest sector. Migratory Birds Convention Act and Migratory Birds Regulations as they relate to land management activities and environmental stewardship practices within the forest sector. Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations under the Fisheries Act, including Environmental Effects Monitoring requirements and regulatory approaches affecting pulp and paper operations, environmental performance, and sector competitiveness. Fisheries Act habitat protection provisions and associated regulatory tools affecting forestry operations and land management activities, with respect to effective environmental oversight and practical implementation. Species at Risk Act and related policies regarding species protection, recovery planning, and conservation measures affecting forest landscapes, environmental stewardship, and natural resource activity. Federal policies, programs, and legislative initiatives supporting the development of forest-based bioeconomy opportunities, including biomass energy, biofuels, and other innovative forest-derived products that contribute to economic and environmental objectives. Federal programs and initiatives supporting climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience within Canada’s forest sector and forest-dependent communities. Federal transportation infrastructure policies and programs affecting the movement of forest products, including rail, port, and trade corridor infrastructure that supports economic growth and supply chain efficiency. Federal policies a

International trade regarding tobacco control, alcohol, products containing carcinogens and products associated with cancer. Internal trade regarding tobacco control, alcohol, products containing carcinogens and products associated with cancer. Funding for programs to be operated by the Canadian Cancer Society to advance cancer control. Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, as it relates to continued federal funding for the cancer control strategy Canada Health Transfer and health system bilateral funding agreements intended for provinces/territories to support the delivery of healthcare services Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including protocols, guidelines and implementation Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, as it relates to regulations, implementation and enforcement Non-Smokers' Health Act including implementation and enforcement Food and Drugs Act and regulations, as it relates to nciotine replacement products Federal Tobacco Control Strategy, including all matters related to tobacco control Taxation, revenue measures, controlled products regulations, including implementation, for alcohol, tobacco control, products containing carcinogens and products associated with cancer. Communication regarding alcohol consumption guidance. Food and Drugs Act and regulations, as it relates to alcohol warning labels Food and Drugs Act and regulations, as it relates to restricting the advertising to children of foods high in sodium, sugars and saturated fat. Healthy Living - Supporting initiatives, legislation, regulation, policies, and programs that prevent cancer or improve the social determinants of health Adoption of HPV testing and increasing HPV vaccination rates Sustainable funding of the National Advisory Committee on Preventive Health Services to ensure timely, up?to?date cancer screening guidelines Equitable and timely access to cancer screening. Measures and funding related to the charitable sector generally Equitable access to care along the full cancer continuum for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities Employment Insurance special benefit programs, including the sickness benefit and compassionate care benefit Canada Labour Code and Employment Insurance Act, as it relates to job-protected leave, employment insurance special benefits, return to work policies, and human rights protections for people affected by cancer Access to information and support to make decisions regarding end-of-life care, including Medical Assistance In Dying Supports for mental health during people's cancer journeys Implementation and funding of the National Grief Action Plan as part of the government's work on palliative care and mental health Canada Health Act as it relates to access to care, including long-term, home, and palliative care National Caregiving Strategy Financial supports for caregivers, including the Canada Caregiver Credit Implementation of the Framework on Palliative Care in Canada and integration of a palliative approach to care in our health system, including national standards and data, care provider training, research, and implementation of the National Grief Action Plan and distinctions?based frameworks for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people Setting and measuring pan-Canadian wait time benchmarks and targets and measures to address them, including addressing healthcare shortages, increased and sustainable funding for care, infrastructure and equipment, targeted strategic funding to PTs for workforce shortages, particularly in rural and remote communities. Sustained core funding for federal research agencies, improved coverage of indirect research costs, Canadian research sovereignty, strengthening capacity and the economic benefits of domestic research, research commercialization. Increasing access to care including models of care, removing barriers to care, particularly for underserved communities, using innovative approaches to improve access to care including AI to improve timely diagnosis and treatment. Issu

Support for community water fluoridation. SMALL BUSINESSES: Supports and opportunities to help small businesses including dental hygiene practice owners. SENIORS: Ensuring that all vulnerable seniors (including those living independently in their communities and those living in long-term care homes) have access to necessary and appropriate oral health care to age in wellness and with dignity. RADIATION PROTECTION: Radiation protection practices to support the safe use of radiation emitting devices in Canada, including dental x-ray equipment (radiation safety procedures, equipment performance, and radiation protection) Promote maintenance of existing tax exemption status for health and dental benefit premiums. OROFACIAL INJURIES IN SPORTS: Prevention of orofacial injury in sports, including by promoting properly fitted sports mouthguards as an essential piece of protective equipment in both practices and games, at the recreational and competitive level. NATIONAL ORAL HEATH RESEARCH STRATEGY: Addressing essential oral health and oral health care-related research questions, facilitate knowledge translation and further knowledge exchange (Canadian Institutes of Health Research). Financial support during the COVID-19 Pandemic to support dental hygienists. Access to PPE for dental hygienists. Federal government to continue to play a leadership role in working with provinces to implement national long-term care and home care guidelines for daily oral health care and regular professional preventive care. Discussion of items in pre-budget submission. DENTAL CARE FOR CANADIANS: Recommendations to support the delivery of the Canada Dental Benefit, Canada Dental Care Plan (Budget 2023), Oral Health Access Fund (Budget 2023), and Investments in Better Dental Care Data (Statistics Canada). Consultation on potential measures to regulate tobacco and cannibis packages and products. CANADIAN HEALTH MEASURES SURVEY: Ongoing collection of information from Canadians about their general health including oral health. POPULATION-LEVEL DATA: Increased collection, analysis and public reporting on national oral health/dental indicators and outcomes. CANADA’S HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE: Addressing Canada’s health workforce crisis, including but not limited to incentives and supports to increase recruitment and retention within the health workforce generally, and to address the rural and remote health workforce specifically. CANADA STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS: Expansion of the current list of eligible professionals for student loan forgiveness to help bring more dental hygienists to work in under-served rural and remote communities that lack the primary health care they need. ACCES TO ORAL HEALTH CARE: Improved access to preventive oral health care services for millions of vulnerable people across Canada (emphasis on children, seniors aging in communities and in long-term care, people with disabilities, rural and remote communities, Indigenous communities, low-income households).

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

To introduce CAS leadership to federal government and to discuss potential solutions to address Canada's health human resources capacity issues and growing surgical backlogs. Share policy recommendations around the environmental impacts of anesthesia practices to reduce emissions and improve waste management.

Federal support for equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and Indigenization efforts including Employment Equity, Pay Equity and data collection Support for federal policies, legislation and regulations that respect institutional autonomy, academic freedom and collegial governance in post-secondary education. Increased federal supports for post-secondary education, students, academic and professional staff, including student financial assistance, federal transfers and programs such as infrastructure, official languages, and training. Advocacy on federal research funding, policy, science governance, research integrity and research security frameworks Ensuring users' rights are respected with regards to educators' ability to access, use and share materials covered by copyright. Increase in funding for federal programs that support Indigenous post-secondary education

Raise awareness of the burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and the need for more strategic approach to management of MSK health for federal populations including Canadian Forces, Veterans, RCMP and First Nations and Inuit. Inclusion of chiropractors as recognized qualified practitioners to issue the Disability Tax Credit Certificate(T2201). Improve chiropractic coverage for federal public service employees. Improve access to chiropractic care for Indigenous peoples, particularly by adding coverage for chiropractic services under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. Implement the Canadian Pain Task Force's Action Plan for Pain in Canada and enhance the current approach to pain management by improving the integration of non-pharmacological treatments, such as chiropractic care. Expand the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program to include front-line allied health care professionals, such as Doctors of Chiropractic. Ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces paid education programs in health care include chiropractic. Ensure that chiropractors are included in the government's plan to introduce a one-time income tax deduction for health care professionals starting their careers in rural communities. -Allow refugees and refugee claimants to access chiropractic care under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).

Discuss increasing incidents of violence against health care workers, prevention, and enforcement of existing laws. Support nursing students through targeted financial support such as paid preceptorships and federal grants. Support internationally educated nurses through establishing a collaborative, multi-stakeholder body hosted by Health Canada, to lead national strategy, planning and coordination for internationally educated nurses' registration, integration and support. Targeted funding of $1 billion as an initial investment to immediately begin to address the current health care workforce crisis experienced by provinces/territories across Canada, with funding focused on short and long-term goals. To achieve patient-centred quality care based on the WHO’s comprehensive health labour markets framework that would be acceptable to, and delivered by, the provinces/territories. Provide sustainable funding so nurses and other healthcare workers have access to mental health supports. In keeping with the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, establish specific targets and timelines for the admission and graduation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit health professionals in all postsecondary institutions and provide funding dedicated to indigenous nurse students. Implementing a Universal single-payer pharmacare program. Fund innovative retention and recruitment programs targeted at early-career, mid-career and late-career nurses. Establish a dedicated coordinating body to address critical health workforce data gaps based on global best practices on health workforce management. Address health workforce shortages through the implementation of a comprehensive, pan-Canadian health human resources strategy, in coordination with the provinces and territories, backed by sufficient funding and with real accountability for achieving desired health outcomes; and address critical data gaps through significantly enhancing existing health workforce data infrastructure to standardize data collection and analysis across workers, sectors and jurisdictions, with links to relevant patient information, healthcare utilization and outcome data, for more fit-for-purpose planning and tools available at the provincial, territorial, regional and training program level. In designing this, Canada should draw on global best practices in health workforce planning including in Australia and New Zealand.

Securing a renewal of dedicated funding for mental health and addiction services via bilateral health agreements with provinces and territories ahead of the 2026 federal budget. Arranging meetings and outreach with public office holders to discuss amendments and/or introduction of health care legislation. Securing funding to expand funding for mental health programs and services and mental health research Arranging meetings and outreach with public office holders to discuss mental health and addictions policy, service delivery, and programs.