Josh Hilton

Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) - CAAIN's Prairie Agtech Validation Program (supported by PrairiesCan) is providing Alberta producers and Prairie-based agtech firms with opportunities to validate and demonstrate new technologies in real world production environments. By enabling companies to test functionality, performance, and economic value under on farm conditions, the program bridges the critical gap between prototype development and commercial adoption. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) - CAAIN's Research and Innovation Stream Accelerator Pilot, supported by the AAFC ACT program, strengthens the national smart farm network and accelerates adoption of energy-efficient, emissions-reducing, and precision agriculture technologies. Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) - CAAIN serves as Canada’s primary hub for agricultural AI adoption. More than 80 per cent of CAAIN-funded projects incorporate AI, addressing sector challenges such as labour shortages, productivity decline, and food security by connecting innovators and producers nationwide. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) - CAAIN is collaborating with Global Affairs Canada to explore pathways for showcasing Canadian agtech and AI capabilities to international partners. Canada’s diverse agricultural products, climates, and production systems position Canadian entrepreneurs and producers to provide valuable expertise to emerging markets worldwide. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) - Collaboration and consultation on modernizing Canada’s agrifood sector's productivity, sustainability, and resilience through science, applied research, automation, AI, smart farming technologies, precision agriculture, climate?smart innovation, and digital transformation. Innovation, Science, Economic Development (ISED) Strategic Response Fund (SRF) - Funding renewal under SRF funding will allow CAAIN to sustain momentum in network-building and accelerate the growth, adoption, and commercialization of agricultural technologies that enhance productivity, competitiveness, and outcomes for Canadian producers, while advancing food sovereignty, security, and affordability. The funding will expand AI-driven tools, national agriculture data capacity, and innovation adoption through connected smart and commercial farms. It will also support Indigenous and remote community food systems, and reduce waste through precision technologies.

Promoting awareness of and inviting government participation in the programs sponsored by the ASCF. Encouraging the federal government to include the ASCF in any funding programs for Atlantic Salmon conservation.

AAFC – Next Policy Framework -- ensuring that the federal government's next agriculture framework represents the needs and interests of edible horticultural growers Canada's National Food Security Strategy -- ensuring that the strategy represents the interests of edible horticulture growers. Competition in the grocery sector -- discussions related to improving the environment for increased competition in Canada's grocery sector Engagement with the federal government on issues affecting the secure, stable and competitive supply of fertilizer critical to agricultural production. Government of Canada – Red tape reduction / regulatory and administrative burden EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA – Temporary Foreign Worker Program and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, in respect of ensuring reliable access to seasonal labour for horticulture. GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA – CUSMA and trade disputes (including tariff and non-tariff barriers), in respect of maintaining predictable market access for Canadian fresh fruit and vegetables. ECCC – carbon pricing and climate policy, in respect of competitiveness impacts on horticulture (including production, plastic, water). CFIA – Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations (SFCR), in respect of fresh produce food safety and compliance requirements. CBSA – border processes affecting fresh produce, facilitating efficient and fair import/export movement of perishable goods. HEALTH CANADA / PMRA – Pest Control Products Act, including registrations, re-evaluations, Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and international harmonization in respect of access to crop protection tools for horticulture. AAFC / Heath Canada (PRD) – Minor Use / grower-requested access pathways (e.g., minor use and own-use import pathways), in respect of timely access to pest management solutions. FINANCE CANADA – federal budget measures affecting horticulture competitiveness and program funding, in respect of adequate resourcing for sector priorities. AAFC – Business Risk Management programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriRecovery, AgriRisk), in respect of responsiveness to horticulture production risk. IRCC – Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and immigration policies related to temporary foreign agricultural workers, in respect of program integrity and workable pathways for employers and workers. CFIA – Organic regime and U.S.–Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement, in respect of facilitating compliant trade in organic produce. CFIA – Plant Protection Act and plant health requirements, in respect of preventing introduction/spread of pests affecting horticulture.

STATISTICS CANADA - Census on Agriculture, ensuring accurate data for the Canadian horticultural industry. Senate of Canada - Direct communication with Senators on FVGC's activities and initiatives. Privy Council Office (PCO) - Direct communication with PCO on FVGC's activities and initiatives. Prime Minister's Office (PMO) - Direct communication with PMO on FVGC's activities and initiatives. INNOVATION, SCIENCE and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, in respect to ensuring that innovation and economic expansion are adequately supported. Income Tax Act - proposed changes to the tax treatment of privately held corporattions IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP CANADA – Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as it relates to the hiring of Temporary Foreign Workers House of Commons - Direct communication with MPs on FVGC's activities and initiatives. HEALTH CANADA/PEST MANAGEMENT REGULATORY AGENCY - Pest Control Products Act, in respect of reducing risks to people and environment while using pesticides in horticultural production. HEALTH CANADA/PEST MANAGEMENT REGULATORY AGENCY - Pest Control Products Act, in respect of proposed and final decisions on the re-evaluation of pesticides used in horticultural production. HEALTH CANADA/PEST MANAGEMENT REGULATORY AGENCY - Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), with respect to ensuring pest control products meeting MRL guidelines are available for use in Canada. HEALTH CANADA/PEST MANAGEMENT REGULATORY AGENCY - Grower Requested Own Use Program (GROU), helping to ensure access to US versions of registered pest products in Canada. Global Affairs Canada - World Trade Organization (WTO), representing Canadian horticulture at WTO meetings. Global Affairs Canada - Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), to ensure free markets for goods and services in the Americas. Global Affairs Canada - Canada-US Free Trade Agreement, with respect to ensuring fair and ethical trading between the two nations. Global Affairs Canada - Canada -United States -Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), with respect to ensuring free trade between Canada, US and Mexico of horticultural products. FINANCE CANADA - federal budget, in respect to ensuring horticultural programs are adequately funded. ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA - Canadian Environmental Protection Act, with respect to environmentally responsible farming. ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA - Canada Water Act, in respect of protection and access to fresh water resources. ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA, with respect to the common price on carbon, to ensure competitiveness of the horticulture industry. Employment and social development Canada (ESDC) - Temporary Foreign Worker Program, to ensure adequate work force for horticulture in Canada. Employment and social development Canada (ESDC) - Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP), with respect to ensuring adequate seasonal labour. Employment and social development Canada (ESDC) - Employment Insurance Act, with respect to employment insurance for temporary/seasonal horticultural workers. CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY - Plant Protection Act, in respect of prevention of pests being imported or exported, as well as control and eradication. CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY - Plant Breeders' Rights Act, with respect to the length of time for retaining material rights and owner/agent ability to collect. CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HAACP) guide for safety in food establishments. CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY - Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, with respect to food labelling, statements and claims. CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY - Canadian Agricultural Products (CAP) Act including the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations and the Licensing and Arbitration Regulations, in respect to ensuring proper licensing, grading, labelling, packaging of horticultural products for importation, exportation and interprovincial trade. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, United-States-Canada Organ

Work Permits: Highlight the significant challenges facing industry in securing foreign nationals to fill skilled labour shortages in Canada. Advocate for adherence to stated processing timelines for work permits through Canadian diplomatic missions abroad and encourage improved communication on individual cases. Transportation Policy: Advocate that federal transportation policy and legislation must ensure Canada remains competitive in strategic industries like the nuclear energy sector by facilitating the continued transport of these goods via Canadian roads, rail lines and ports. Ensure that the high standards, safeguards and precautions taken in the transport of uranium and nuclear products are understood by federal policy-makers. Tax Policy, Legislation and Application: Work toward a resolution of issues arising from multiple court rulings in Cameco’s favour following successful litigation to overturn reassessments issued to the company by Canada Revenue Agency for the 2003, 2005 and 2006 tax years. Sustainable Resource Development: Seek to ensure that any environmental legislative or regulatory modifications affecting resource development are grounded in the principles of sound science/evidence-based decision-making and efficiency of regulatory process. These include the implementation of the new Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the Fisheries Act, and the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (CNWA), as well as further developments under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Seek also to ensure that a meaningful role is facilitated for local Indigenous communities in the environmental monitoring of resource operations. Non-Resident Ownership Policy (NROP): Advocate for the implementation of the policy changes recommended for uranium mining in the final report of the Competition Policy Review Panel. National Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou pursuant to the Species at Risk Act (SARA): Advocate for the federal government to update the finalized National Recovery Strategy for woodland caribou to fully and accurately reflect the scientific findings and data collected from the additional research that has been conducted in northern Saskatchewan. International Trade Policy: Encourage the Government of Canada to support Canadian business by fostering positive trade relations and facilitating commercial opportunities with key export markets, and by taking action to protect and defend Canadian companies when foreign governments treat them unfairly. International Nuclear Co-operation: Advocate for the completion and implementation of Nuclear Co-operation Agreements and related protocols facilitating the export of Canadian uranium, nuclear products and technologies for civilian purposes to countries the Government of Canada recognizes as legitimate participants in the nuclear energy sector. International Investment Protection: Encourage the negotiation and implementation of Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements and/or other bilateral investment treaties with countries that currently do not have such agreements in place with Canada to better protect the investments and holdings of Canadian companies and individuals in foreign jurisdictions. Infrastructure Programming: Encourage that all federal and federal-provincial infrastructure programs and initiatives include criteria to support public and community/First Nation infrastructure projects in remote northern regions of the country, including the northern portions of provinces. Foreign-Origin Nuclear Material (FONM): Advocate for the consideration of economic impacts on potential changes in the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's application of Canadian nuclear non-proliferation policy to exports of FONM. Duty to Consult: Encourage greater clarity in the requirements and responsibilities of the various parties involved in resource land development as it pertains to the Crown's Duty to Consult and other aboriginal-based rights including considerations or decisions related to t

Taxation policies and programs related to farm income, capital gains, generational transfer of assets, family income sharing, investment income, and tax deferrals for extraordinary revenue due to inventory liquidation during a declared disaster Traceability technology with tech and innovation, Covid-19 solutions and discussions Research into blockchain technology in traceability programs, BRM, Covid-19 Regulations and legislation related to beef cattle and meat production, exports and imports. Market access for beef and cattle, achieving new and defending existing trade agreements. Farm policy and programs with respect to business risk management, innovation, environment, etc.

Discussions regarding the safe and reliable operation of Enbridge’s liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, and utilities and power assets. Discussions regarding projects, expansions, optimizations, and changes to tolling arrangements relating to Enbridge’s liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, and utilities and power assets. Discussions regarding policy developments on Indigenous engagement, consultation and economic inclusion. Discussions regarding market access for energy products, maintaining the integrated North American energy market, Canada-U.S. trade and cross-border issues and Canadian energy exports to other jurisdictions. Discussions regarding climate policies and initiatives, including the federal carbon charge, the Clean Fuel Standard, methane regulations, and the output-based pricing system, as well as policy supports for innovations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including Renewable Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, CCUS, hydrogen and power-to-gas). Discussions regarding Canadian competitiveness, including on regulatory efficiency, as it pertains to environmental assessments and climate policies and taxation. Discussions and feedback regarding regulatory efficiency, including environmental assessments, the federal carbon charge, the Clean Fuel Standard, methane regulations, Clean Electricity Regulations, and the output-based pricing system.

As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: discuss issues related to Pharmacy sector in Canada. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Fertilizers Act and Regulations - in respect of labelling requirements for bulk shipments. Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) This regulation is of significant impact to our business. We are concerned there will be insufficient implementation time; design must be flexible; federal/provincial harmonization. Climate change principles As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: • Canadian Co-operatives Act – in respect to review and changes to the Act, understanding by the federal government for specialized co-op development programs that will help start and grow new and existing co-ops with specific sectors or populations and a viable business model. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act – in respect to rail and truck transportation of products and appropriate classification and stewardship of products. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Safe Food for Canadians Act and Food & Drug Act & Regulations - in respect of managing risk to food safety and supporting a safe food system for Canada. Including food commodities (fruit & vegetables, grains & oilseeds), including their inspection, their safety, their labelling, and advertising, and their import. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Feeds Act – in respect to possible amendments and policy interpretations. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Federal Budget – in respect to providing resources for environmental initiatives, including climate change, renewables, fiscal policy, investing in water and wastewater infrastructure, pollution abatement and enforcement. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Clean Fuels Standards and Climate Change Principles. FCLs actions to reduce carbon footprint through waste diversion activities and the reduction of emissions, etc. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Chemical Management Plan – in respect to assessment of chemicals in commerce in the coatings industry and risk management initiatives to mitigate harm to human health and ecological systems. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Canada Customs Act & Regulations - in respect of establishing & implementing appropriate enforcement mechanisms and policies which affect the movement of products. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Agriculture Policy Framework/Growing Forward – in respect to supporting the development and implementation of a safe food supply chain for the Canadian marketplace and the ability to trace products for the food retailing industry along the supply chain.

Input on tax policy as it relates to mining in Canada, innovation in mining, such as Scientific Research & Economic Development Tax Credits, and other tax policy matters impacting the mining industry. Input on red tape reduction items, such as CFIA bulk labelling requirements, and environmental or regulatory permitting requirements for mining and related supply chain infrastructure. Input on transportation infrastructure and improvements, and trade-enabling infrastructure to the benefit of Canadian exporters. Input on policy and recommendations related to mining, critical minerals, and natural resources, including the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan. Input on economic policy and growth for Canada and Canadian exports Input on climate change and green house gas emissions reduction policy, including the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, Output-Based Pricing System. Input on Clean Fuel Standard regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Input on Clean Electricity Regulations