James Van Loon

Arranging meetings to introduce the Consumer Technology Association and to learn about the government's perspective on artificial intelligence, international trade and electric vehicles.

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.

Strengthening Canada’s health workforce including promoting health workforce safety. Advancing adoption of AI in the healthcare and health research sectors. Improving Canada’s physical and digital infrastructure for both health research and healthcare delivery. Federal role in the health system as it relates to funding, the use of federal spending power, and pan-Canadian priorities, including in the areas of aging, older adult care, child and youth health, mental health and substance use, palliative care, Indigenous health, public health, and data. Advancing Canada’s health research and innovation agenda as it relates to funding, policy and program design, and regulatory matters, including in the areas of clinical trials and development of innovative medical treatments.

Discussing the design, implementation, and funding of initiatives related to safe and responsible AI. Funding for the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy (PCAIS) : Lobbying to encourage the refunding of PCAIS or of a new program or investment that positions Canada as a global leader in AI research, talent, and responsible deployment.

Having conversations about Canada’s music marketplace and the role of Canada’s major labels and artists in it Policy pursuant to International Trade, industry regulation and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review regarding culture, the digital environment and copyright and labour practices that protect Canadian artists and the creative industries. Discuss potential artificial intelligence regulations and governance measures that ensure that creators and their intellectual property are protected in the digital environment Having conversations about Canada's participation in the World Intellectual Property Office Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights Having conversations about Canada's participation at the G7 Summit and global leadership on music and cultural policy. Regulation pursuant to the implementation of the Digital Service Tax (DST). Regulations pursuant to the Copyright Board of Canada. Regulations pursuant to the Broadcasting Act - Ensuring that CRTC regulations that affect the Canadian recording industry appropriately promote Canadian artists and creative industries. Legislative proposal to ensure that individuals are able to protect the use of their voice and visual likeness from artificial intelligence applications Enforcement and Amendment of the Customs Act - Seeking amendment and adequate enforcement of provisions of the Customs Act to ensure that intellectual property rights holders are protected against counterfeiting and piracy and trade in counterfeiting or pirated goods. Amendments to the Copyright Act - To bring the Copyright Act in line with advances in technology and current international standards and provide fair and predictable rules for copyright in the digital environment. Amendments to the Broadcasting Act - to ensure that the Broadcasting Act protects and supports Canadian music creators and their works in the digital environment.

promote innovations in medical technologies (equipment, services and digital solutions) that support better care for more people across Canada. This includes mobile and virtual solutions which can improve access to care in rural and remote regions of the country, while reducing costs and environmental impacts.

Work with government on the restoration of SR&ED credits and to discuss ideas to fuel a more innovative and R&D intensive economy. Working with Government to transform service delivery through digital adoption. Working with Government to ensure the modernization of procurement systems are done in a fair, transparent, and collaborative manner. Working with Government to develop and execute a national strategy to grow Canada's digital economy, drive innovation and competitiveness in the ICT sector, and modernize the public sector in its use of information technology. To engage in consultation and discussion with Government regarding any regulation that impacts the ICT sector To engage in consultation and discussion with Government regarding any legislation that impacts the ICT sector Helping Government develop a pan-Canadian certification and licensing mechanism to ensure the safety, security, and privacy of digital health solutions. Encouraging Government to work with the provinces and territories to develop a pan-Canadian strategy for digital health. Encouraging Government to continue with existing policies and programs that help Canadian information and communications technology (ICT) companies scale by accessing to global markets. Collaborating with Government on ways to strengthen socio-economic considerations within large IT modernization initiatives. Collaborating with government on changes made to the Integrity Framework.

Support 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.