Jennifer Howard

Detail title: Bill S-206 - National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Aspects that are the object of the lobbying: Supporting Bill S-206, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income, with respect to ensuring that the framework considers the economic circumstances of professional performers and other self-employed, contract and intermittent workers in Canada's cultural sector. Title: International Mobility Program and Business Visitor Provisions for Performers in Commercial and Audiovisual Production Description: ACTRA is seeking to better understand how the International Mobility Program - including the C-14 significant benefit work permit exemption (IRPR R205(a)) for film and television production workers - and the business visitor exemption (IRPR R186(a)) are applied, consulted on, and monitored as they relate to international performers working in Canada's audiovisual sector, with particular focus on commercial and advertising production. ACTRA is exploring whether existing consultation practices and regulatory thresholds appropriately balance Canada's interest in facilitating international productions and skilled talent mobility with protecting work opportunities for Canadian performers. Title: Labour protections for performers in digital and AI-mediated productions Description: Federal labour policy and labour standards as they apply to performers working in digital, online, and artificial intelligence-mediated productions, including collective bargaining protections, enforceability of performer rights, and measures addressing precarious work and non-traditional production models in the screen-based industries. Title: International trade negotiations affecting Canada's audiovisual and cultural sector Description: Government of Canada positions in international trade negotiations and reviews, including Canada-United States discussions and the CUSMA review process, as they relate to cultural policy measures, broadcasting regulation, online streaming obligations, and the economic impact on employment and production in Canada's audiovisual sector. Title: Federal procurement standards for advertising and communications production Description: Federal government procurement policies and contracting practices for advertising and communications services, including the application of performer labour standards, requirements for union-covered productions, and ethical procurement expectations for the use of performers and creative services in government-funded advertising and public communications. Title: Use of copyrighted performances in artificial intelligence training and generative AI systems Description: Amendments to Canada's Copyright Act and related policy measures regarding the use of copyrighted performances and audiovisual works in the training and operation of artificial intelligence systems, including requirements for consent, compensation, and recognition of performers' moral rights, as well as protections against unauthorized reproduction, voice cloning, and synthetic performances. Title: Federal artificial intelligence governance framework and performer rights protections Description: Development of the Government of Canada's artificial intelligence policy and regulatory framework, including the forthcoming national AI strategy, with respect to consent requirements for the use of performers' name, image and likeness, digital identity protections, reputational harm, takedown and enforcement mechanisms, and accountability obligations for AI systems that generate or replicate performances. Copyright legislation – Updating Canada's Copyright Act to implement the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright and Audio Visual Treaties and deal with threats from unchecked generative artificial intelligence to performers' livelihoods. Bill C-27 with respect to artificial intelligence and future regulations to protect the rights of Canadian performers from its misuse

Work with the Federal Government to promote responsible consumption of beverage alcohol and the appropriate use of Food & Drug Regulations, pertaining to beer and alcoholic beverage labeling. Work with the Federal government to improve domestic trade agreements for craft brewers. Improve existing internal trade agreements and modernize the excise tax structure to better support job creation, investment and economic growth across Canada. Respond to legislative efforts such as Bill S-254 (warning labels on alcoholic beverages) and M-61, that pertain to new labelling regulations for alcoholic products. Food and Drugs Act and Safe Food for Canadians Act as they pertain to the regulation of beer and alcoholic beverages.

Seeking to ensure the interests of Canada’s independent producers are considered in any artificial intelligence (AI) policies or regulations, including the National AI Strategy. Seeking to ensure the interests of Canada’s independent producers are considered in any amendments to the Broadcasting Act, Telecommunications Act, Online Streaming Act or Copyright Act. Seeking to ensure that producers are able to receive labour market opinions in a timely manner Seeking to ensure that appropriate Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) in the film and television industry are exempt from the 4-year cap on working in Canada as provided in the Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Seeking the creation of new private investment incentives through modifications to the Income Tax Act or other appropriate legislation Seeking CRTC-mandated contributions by internet service providers, wireless service providers, and online broadcasters to the creation and presentation of Canadian programming from the independent production sector Request funding for the creation of a mentorship program aimed at developing skill sets and acquiring work experience in the film, television and interactive media industry. Participation in Creative Export Canada via the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Participating in guideline consultations for all programs administered by Telefilm Canada Funding from Canadian Heritage for the production of annual research report "Profile: An Economic Report on the Canadian Film and Television Industry" Department of Canadian Heritage co-production policy with regard to international production treaties CRTC Canadian program certification relating to criteria used to determine Canadian content of productions Canadian Audio-Visual Certification - relating to criteria for obtaining CAVCO certification of a production Canada Income Tax Act relating to Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit program and to Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit Program Broadcasting regulations, including regulations related to Canadian programming. Broadcasting polices, including policies related to Canadian programming expenditures, digital media, and independently-produced programming.