Juan Gonzalez

Réunions avec des élus et du personnel politique concernant les impacts des nouvelles mesures d’immigration dans la région de Chaudière-Appalaches.

To discuss and support government initiatives related to critical infrastructure resilience, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and resilient energy infrastructure modernization. Discussions regarding Immigration program considerations related to manufacturing labour shortages, including coordinating with provinces and the inclusion of manufacturing National Occupation Classifications (NOC) in federal pathways to permanent residency and regional workforce needs. Discussions regarding energy transition legislation, federal investment tax credits and regulations. To explore areas of alignment and compatibility with federal policies and programs in the context of deploying temporary and permanent modular housing, including medium density housing, workforce housing, affordable housing, and community infrastructure. Pursuing international trade and expanding markets for infrastructure development. Federal policies and programs with respect to transition to a lower carbon energy system, renewable energy, and energy infrastructure. Discussions regarding provision of buildings, camps, and logistical services. Discussions regarding federal frameworks with regards to the environment, including climate change and air pollutant regulation.

GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Reform Canada’s procurement system to support investment and ensure a competitive business environment. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Ensuring fair and open procurement practices to drive innovation and technology adoption in Canada. HOUSING - Advocate for policies and legislation that enable the creation of more housing supply, incentivize investment in residential construction and housing – enabling infrastructure, and support the development of skilled labour we need, whether domestically or through immigration, to restore housing affordability to Canadian families. TAXATION AND FINANCE – With regard to the measurement and improvement of Canada’s tax competitiveness, including: reforming the taxation, remittance, filing and audit processes of Canadian businesses and tax policy which improves the competitiveness of the Canadian business environment INTERNATIONAL TRADE – With respect to issues relating to trade controls, including tariffs, import and export controls, sanctions, and trade remedies. INDUSTRY - Improving the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program to drive innovation; increase the role that the federal government plays in creating opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to digitalize and conduct more business activities online; developing a digital economy strategy for Canada. HEALTH – Ensuring we improve access to necessary medicines by building on rather than displacing the important role of private insurers and respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction. CYBER SECURITY - Encouraging the government to prioritize cybersecurity innovation, talent development, and critical infrastructure resilience; modernize research and development; accelerate commercialization in the space; support the secure digitalization of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and improve the global competitiveness of Canada’s cybersecurity industry. IMMIGRATION - Reducing regulatory burdens for employers; promoting immigration to small, rural and northern communities; supporting regional and local community immigration strategies; maintaining and modernizing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program; Facilitating pathways to permanent residency for temporary residents (international students and TFWs; expediting and simplifying foreign credential recognition, calling for an international student and global talent strategy; improving language training as well as settlement and employment supports to newcomers, aligning immigration programs with labour market needs, improving the Start-Up Visa process, improving client services to potential immigrants and newcomers. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING – National Workforce Strategy, programs that support small and medium sized enterprises, improving collection and dissemination of Labour Market Information, establishing the Employment Insurance Council to institutionalize social dialogue between workers and employers on issues related to employment and training needs, addressing barriers to labour mobility, improving effectiveness of employment supports and skills training. EDUCATION - Aligning employer and workforce needs with education and training; expanding skilling, upskilling, reskilling and work integrated learning opportunities. INFRASTRUCTURE – Improvement of Canada’s infrastructure through the National Infrastructure Assessment, National Supply Chains Strategy, and establishment of a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan. TRANSPORTATION - Regarding the consistent funding of trade-enabling infrastructure projects; the development of a competitive and efficient transportation network including all modes of transportation; the fluidity and stability of supply chain operations, minimizing disruptions. LABOUR - Ensuring that any changes to the Canada Labour Code are implemented in response to defined and demonstrated issues and not to increase regulatory burdens for employers; minimizing labour disruption impacts on Canadian bus

Increasing the federal government's programming and funding allocated for training and retaining Canada's skilled trades workforce. Working with government partners to obtain funding from the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) program, and other programming from WAGE. Establishment of a Temporary Foreign Worker Program construction industry pilot project targeted at small to medium size construction contractors operating in the Greater Toronto Area.

World Trade Organization Doha Round Negotiations: the Canadian Meat Council supports an ambitious trade deal at the World Trade Organization to gain better access to important export markets. We need a significant reduction in import tariffs, the elimination of export subsidies and greatly reduced domestic support that distorts pricing and international markets. Veterinary Import Policy: Animal Health Risk Assessment: the Canadian Meat Council has requested an updated risk assessment on the importation of live American hogs for slaughter in Canada. Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement- the Canadian Meat Council is advocating for the Government of Canada to ratify the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement Negotiations. Canada should be seeking an ambitious free trade agreement with all parties in the negotiations. Temporary Foreign Worker Program: the Canadian Meat Council is advocating for the continued access for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for Canada's meat industry. Nevertheless, and notwithstanding extensive efforts to recruit domestically, it is the reality of our industry that the number of workers required exceeds, by far, the number of both “lower-skilled” and “higher-skilled” Canadian candidates who are both willing and able to work in Canada's meat processing industry. There is now an application fee of $1000 per Temporary Foreign Worker- if a form has 1 employee or 100 employees the charge is $1000 per worker applied for. If the request is rejected the fee is not refunded. These fees seem much higher than a reasonable cost to process- especially when the request for multiple employees is rejected. Safe Food for Canadians Act: The Canadian Meat Council is advocating for the development of outcome based food safety regulations under the Safe Food for Canadians Act. The Canadian Meat Council is advocating for the development and implementation of a risk-based and evidence-based food inspection safety system. Refugees: We are advocating for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to initiate efforts to direct refugee settlement to locations where individuals may be qualified, with training, to fill meat industry job vacancies. The Canadian meat industry also welcomes any other initiatives that will facilitate inter-provincial labour mobility of unemployed, under-employed and disadvantaged Canadians willing to work in our industry. Product of Canada Guidelines: the Canadian Meat Council supports a review of the Product of Canada Guidelines with regard to labelling of meat products. Meat Safety Tax Credit: the Canadian Meat Council is advocating for the creation of a new Meat Safety Tax Credit based on eligible expenses for Canada’s food processing industry for a safer food supply for Canadians. Market Access for Canadian Meat Exports Program: The Canadian Meat Council is advocating for a 5-year $10 million Market Access for Canadian Meat Exports Program to help Canada’s meat packing and processing industry take full advantage of the export opportunities created by new international trade agreements. Manual of Procedures: the Canadian Meat Council is requesting that the Government update policies on animal transportation and welfare issues- Chapter 12 of the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures. Labour Mobility Incentive Program: The Canadian Meat Council is advocating for a new 5-year $50 million Labour Mobility Incentive Program targeted at Canada’s youth to strengthen Canada’s labour market. Interprovincial Meat Trade Pilot Project:the Canadian Meat Council is advocating that all meat processed in Canada should be inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under the new Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations. International Barriers to Trade: The Canadian Meat Council seeks to eliminate or prevent out-dated, overly burdensome, discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate technical requirements in other countries that can create unnecessary obstacles to trade, reduce competition and prevent Canadian expor

Amend the Income Tax Act to allow skilled tradespeople the ability to deduct travel expenses that are incurred during the course of travelling long distances (over 100km) for their employment which are not otherwise covered by their employer. Reform the procurement process for Federally funded infrastructure projects to increase transparency, tackling the underground economy in the construction industry. Embedding prevailing wage, local hiring requirements, and a minimum number of work hours to be performed by apprentices into Federally funded infrastructure projects. Incentivizing the creation of more child care spaces for individuals working non-traditional work hours, such as skilled tradespeople. Increasing the Federal Government's programming and funding allocated for training and retaining Canada's skilled trades workforce. Establishment of a Temporary Foreign Worker Pilot Program in the construction industry whereby workers are paid a higher prevailing wage and have union protection under a collective agreement.

Ice River is a stakeholder in the food and beverage manufacturing industry seeking to engage with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and its applicable National Occupational Classification codes, with the goal of advocating for the inclusion of certain classifications that are critical to the industry's workforce needs.

KidSport is seeking additional funding from the federal government to support its mission in helping kids participate in organized sport.

Seek opportunities for the development and construction of climate-resilient infrastructure in rural Alberta communities. Educating on the unique challenges and opportunities, such as housing, infrastructure, and community development, faced by rural Alberta municipalities.

Taxation and Finance: Canada must ensure, fairness, accountability and transparency regarding CRA decisions that impact Jewish charities. Provide economic support for the charitable and not-for-profit sector through a direct granting program. Donations from Canadians should be incentivized through a temporary enhancement of the charitable giving tax credit, or through a donor matching program, whereby the government matches donations from Canadians. Religion: Include a question on religion in every census, instead of every second census. National Security/Security (3): A ministerial directive to the RCMP and CSIS to prioritize and intensify monitoring, intelligence collection, investigations, disruption, and enforcement against antisemitic and Islamist violent extremism, as well as against foreign actors seeking to sponsor or exploit protests in Canada. National Security/Security (2): Continued support for revocation of citizenship in cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorism, and extreme promotion of hate; strengthened screening to bar entry and deny citizenship to individuals who pose security threats or have ties to extremist or terrorist organizations; removal of individuals already in Canada who obtained status through false representation; establishment of a fast-track removal stream for high-risk individuals linked to foreign extremist organizations; accelerated removals for individuals convicted of violent crimes; and standalone immigration consequences for expressing support for listed terrorist entities, even in the absence of criminal convictions. National Security (1): Canada Community Security Program (CCSP): Sustained and recurrent funding and program optimization; support for life-saving protective measures for communities at risk, particularly the Jewish community; funding for capital security upgrades and training; and ongoing support for security guards and paid duty officers. Justice and Law Enforcement (2): Conflict of Interests, Foreign Interference, Ethics, Lobbying, Canada Revenue Agency. Ensuring CIJA fully respects all its legal and regulatory obligations while advocating for the current framework to be more efficient and respectful of the needs, objectives and resources of cultural and religious communities. Justice and Law Enforcement: Canada should pursue a comprehensive, accountable approach to combating hate and promoting inclusion by strengthening legal tools, enforcement capacity, and public institutions. This includes modernizing human rights and criminal frameworks to address hate speech and antisemitism, guided by the IHRA definition; investing in anti-racism, tolerance, and genocide education initiatives; and ensuring police are properly resourced to prevent and respond to hate crimes, with clear accountability for results. Bail reform to include a reverse onus on hate related offences. International Trade: Advancing and expanding bilateral trade through the promotion, application, and potential enhancement of the Canada–Israel Free Trade Agreement, as well as fostering increased investment and academic exchanges. International Relations: Canadian diplomatic relations with Israel and the broader Middle East, including Canada’s role in the Israel–Palestinian peace process; Canadian interventions at the UN and other multilateral bodies, including sanctions regimes and related legislation; and policy toward Iran, including maintaining non-renewal of diplomatic relations alongside continued sanctions against the IRGC and senior regime figures. Immigration: Matters related to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act, including visa applications and issuance; Immigration and Refugee Board policies, including refugee claims from Israel; broader Canadian immigration policy; integration and settlement of new immigrants, recognition of foreign-trained credentials and language training; and standards and requirements for refugee status, permanent residence, and citizenship