Jeff Jedras

Engage with the federal government, including through Build Canada Homes, CMHC and as part of the National Housing Strategy, to address the growing supportive housing needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Ontario and Canada. Advocate for innovative housing and financing models that support inclusive, mixed-use communities integrating affordable housing, support services, and community amenities, while advancing accessibility, inclusion, and long-term affordability within Canada's broader housing strategy. Expand the discussion about supports for people within the developmental services sector to include dual diagnoses and the intersection with mental health. Early Learning & Childcare Plan – increased supports for families with a child with special needs, inclusion in the financial commitment for accessible spaces. Canada Disability Benefit – consult with government officials to develop concrete actions to help reduce poverty & create opportunities for meaningful employment for people with intellectual disabilities. Advocate for the inclusion of the developmental services sector when making plans and decisions related to future emergency responses, especially as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocate for increased and continued representation of disability sector supports in annual budget. Seek additional funding for Disability Benefits, Disability Tax Credit, Enabling Accessibility Fund. Advocate for federal expansion of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A or B to include developmental service workers (NOC 4212), which are currently not under the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption codes. Accessible Canada Act – contribute to discussions surrounding the ACA’s objective of creating a barrier-free country by 2040.

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

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

National Adaptation Strategy in relation to Action #1 Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative to creating a program to establish a Centre of Excellence for Wildland Fire Innovation and Resilience to fund related activities including support for mobilizing knowledge, increasing uptake of innovations in technology and training, supporting Indigenous fire stewardship, and help strengthening wildland fire management in Canada. Creation of, expansion of, and renewal of potential infrastructure; and research and development initiatives and investments Changes to the International Student Program and the Post-Graduate Work Permit criteria.

Strategies to prevent gender-based violence through firearm safety measures, including national firearms buyback program Advancing investments, policies and programs around caregiving and the care economy with a gender equity focus, including supporting the majority-women community services workforce. Investments in Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care, rollout of childcare agreements across Canada. Women's Housing and Homelessness, ensuring a gender equity lens in federal housing policy and affordable housing investments, and the renewal of funding for housing dedicated to women. We are seeking investments in women's labour market participation, including investments in re-skilling programs that are gender-responsive. Advancing policies, programs and investments in gender-based violence prevention and intervention, including the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Federal budget with respect to investments in the social service sector for funding the supports the mental health of frontline community service workers. Addressing online hate and technology-facilitated violence through online safety legislation, policies or regulations.