James Burns

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is engaging with government officials to discuss the alignment between CCI’s priorities and the federal government’s efforts to foster innovation in Canada. These discussions focus on ensuring that government programs and policies effectively support high-growth Canadian technology firms and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem. Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy: advocacy was focused on bringing domestic firms into the value chain through policies and measures that provide equal opportunity for Canadian Head Quartered companies. Discussion on the intangible economy, SR&ED, and economic growth as it relates to domestic expenditures for intellectual property filing, as well as a focus on small and medium-sized companies. US Trade - discussed Tariffs and handling of Canada US Mexico Trade Agreement. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Small Business and Tourism, Changes to Canadian Export Program (CanExport) so it allows more technology companies to apply Procurement – Changes to Request for Proposal (RFP) process to break down large bundles into smaller amounts for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) can apply Health Canada: advocate for an increase of resources for Therapeutics Canada for them to speed up processing times and efficiencies within their department; create working groups and framework with industry leaders and health Canada on digital and data health, and create a therapeutics working group with industry and health Canada. Finance – Changes to Scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentive program to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to further increase the maximum a SME can apply for Export Development Canada (EDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Environment and Climate Change Canada, give input and feedback on the PanCanada Framework, Canada-China agreement for scientific and technological cooperation, and the relationship between Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emitters & CO2 Reducers. Our focus is on involving Canadian high-growth firms in the policies and programs the government is working on regarding climate change and the greening of government. Discussions on international trade, specifically on the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to data localisation, labour mobility and tariffs. Defence & Security: advocate for a domestic-focused cybersecurity ecosystem that has Canadian companies at the centre of a national cybersecurity defence policy. Citizenship and immigration – Change the current work visa time lines, seek changes to the the Labour Market Impact Assessment for expatiating and a faster process Changes to Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to Increase the maximum amount a SME can apply for Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - changes to (scientific research and experimental development) SR&ED program with how it is administered and reviewed. Discussed companies SR&ED claims and issues with their processing. Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy.

Discussions with federal officials on innovation, AI and technology-related topics relevant to government operations and AI adoption. This also includes updating procurement policies to better support government services.

Engagement with government on influencing policies for AI Clouds and advocating for the development of the tech sector in Canada. Engagement on Canada's Digital Economy and seeking government contracts/funding with a variety of government departments in regards to Denvr AI Services and AI Data processing Seeking funding for AI Strategy & AI Compute Challenge to develope AI infrastructure

Renewing the multi-year funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, in the context of Budget 2025 and the new government's priorities for research and growth. Providing input to the Government of Canada’s Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy, in relation to federal research funding priorities and government prioritization of artificial intelligence and advanced compute capability to support Canadian researchers and institutes.

Execution of the multi-year funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. Providing input to the Government of Canada’s Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy.

Advancing recommendations in support of Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act. Providing input to the Government of Canada’s Sovereign Artificial Intelligence and Compute Infrastructure Strategy. Execution of the multi-year funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada.

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) with respect to the AI Compute Challenge stream and government financial support for investments in future data centre infrastructure in Canada.

Arrange meetings to advocate for the role of large-scale private data-center infrastructure in supporting national priorities related to digital resilience, data sovereignty, and modernization, as well as for support for a large-scale data center under development in New Brunswick. Seeking funding to support the development of a large-scale data center. Arrange meetings for the client to advocate for the role of large-scale private data-center infrastructure in supporting national priorities related to digital resilience, data sovereignty, and modernization.

Arrange meetings for the client to advocate for the role of large-scale private data-center infrastructure in supporting national priorities related to digital resilience, data sovereignty, and modernization, as well as for support for a large-scale data center under development in New Brunswick. Seeking funding to support the development of a large-scale data center. Arrange meetings for the client to advocate for the role of large-scale private data-center infrastructure in supporting national priorities related to digital resilience, data sovereignty, and modernization.

General advocacy related to the development of power generation projects in Canada, including natural gas-fired generation, wind, solar, battery storage and small modular reactors. Advocacy related to the development of large-scale data centre projects in Canada. Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act – greenhouse gas regulations, carbon pricing and emissions policies for electricity generation. Funding for technology development, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) projects, small modular reactors (SMR), clean technology, clean hydrogen, and other decarbonization projects through the Clean Energy Fund, investment tax credit policy, and all other applicable funding sources and mechanisms. Federal programs or support for low or zero emitting sources of electricity generation and other electricity decarbonization initiatives, including but not limited to: wind, solar, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), carbon conversion, direct air capture, small modular reactors (SMR), hydrogen, and energy storage. Federal programs, policies or supports for inter-provincial electricity transmission. Federal climate plans, policies, and pathways to economy-wide net-zero by 2050. Advocacy with respect to development of the Clean Electricity Regulations, Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, and other policies, programs, and enabling regulation in support of achieving a net-zero electricity sector by 2035. Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act – development of five-year emissions-reduction targets and emissions-reduction plans to achieve each target, including Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. Advocacy regarding "Legislative Proposals Relating to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations" - specifically proposals related to the Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Clean Technology ITC, and ITC-related labour requirements.

S2E would like to learn more about the Government of Canada's programs, priorities, and policies pertaining to artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers, and if there are any environmental and climate change considerations to these federal initiatives. S2E would like to share their clean technology expertise and industry insights to help inform and support the Government of Canada's policies, programs, and regulations related to sustainability and climate change. S2E would also be interested in pursuing contracting opportunities with the federal government in the fields of renewable energies, smart grids, clean energy infrastructure, and diesel replacement programs for remote communities. S2E is interested in learning more about, and potentially applying for, federal grants and programs related to renewable energies, smart grids, clean energy infrastructure, and diesel replacement programs for remote communities.

National Semiconductor Strategy: explaining our firms use of semiconductor manufacturing technologies from foreign suppliers, and encouraging the federal government to invest in domestic production capabilities for silicon photonic integrated circuits. National Quantum Computing Strategy - explaining our firms plans for cooperation with the Canadian public and private sectors to explore quantum computing through a sandbox or publicly supported virtual platform, and requesting government support. Requesting more education and training around quantum computing. Explaining our long term plan to build large scale quantum computers in Canada.

Data center integration including grid-connected opportunities to reduce costs of the energy transition. Commenting on potential changes to Migratory Bird Regulations. Promoting measures that facilitate intertie development, including: clarifying the governance of interprovincial electricity transmission; implementing a one permit, one approval framework; encouraging provinces and territories to develop inter-regional transmission infrastructure; creating a national or regional energy strategy to identify potential trade corridors and projects of strategic importance of common interest; and providing financial support to interprovincial transmission projects. Communicating to: learn about Government of Canada initiatives related to climate change and GHG reduction; learn about electricity infrastructure and energy infrastructure; and discuss interties, energy storage and renewable energy generation, including how those tools can help Canada achieve net-zero clean electricity grid by 2050. Open-ended discussions regarding inter-jurisdictional electricity projects and system planning related to the Government of Canada’s Clean Electricity Strategy. Engaging government stakeholders in discussions regarding wildfire risk in Alberta, including the development of a mitigation and response strategy in collaboration with affected or at-risk communities. Open-ended discussions regarding spectrum management and radio frequency planning. Requesting funding under the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program to be used towards a high voltage, grid-connected energy storage system, and transmission infrastructure that supports renewable energy development in Alberta. Requesting financial support for transmission infrastructure that supports renewable energy development in Alberta from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Open-ended discussions regarding the status of the Public Safety Broadband Network. Commenting on the investment tax credit of up to 30% for investments in clean technologies. Commenting on the proposed investment tax credit of up to 15% for investments in clean electricity. AltaLink is engaging government stakeholders regarding participating in the Clean Electricity Regulations consultation process to comment on issues such as performance standards, phase-in, facility operations, and end of life for emitting units. As a transmission facility owner in Alberta, we are looking for CER design that helps to achieve a net-zero grid while maintaining reliability and affordability of the system.