Karen Vecchio

The CMA is advocating that the trade of medical goods and medications be protected to avoid disruptions to patient care. Specifically, that the government: Continue to ensure pharmaceutical products and medical devices are not included in any countermeasures on tariffs Improve safeguards for Canadian health data Improve labour mobility so physicians can work across the country Make it easier for qualified physicians to immigrate and work in Canada, including by fast-tracking immigration steps for US physicians PAN CANADIAN LICENSURE: Advocate for the ability for physicians with full licences to practise independently without restrictions or for medical resident trainees registered in any Canadian jurisdiction to practise or train in any other Canadian jurisdiction without having to acquire more than one licence or pay additional licensing fees. This includes exploring enabling legislation in the provinces and territories. INTEGRATED HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCES Advocate for an Integrated Health Human Resources Strategy, including creating retention incentives and addressing administrative burden for health care professionals, increasing the number of doctors and nurses and ensuring that every Canadian has access to a family doctor or primary health team, increasing access to virtual care, creating an action plan to get internationally trained health care professionals to work, improving workforce data collection across health systems and investing in a supply needs-based planning tool, and facilitating team-based health care. ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN: Advocate for measures to alleviate the administrative burden on physicians and support their professional wellbeing, including investment to facilitate the development of EHRs and EMRs in Canada, improved remuneration for the completion of federal health forms, ensuring that physicians are not captured in the definition of "promoters" in the Disability Tax Credit Promoters Restrictions Regulations, and advocacy on discontinuing the requirement that employees present sick notes to their employers. INDIGENOUS HEALTH: Improvement to the health and health care services provided to Indigenous peoples in Canada, including adding inclusive lettering on health cards across Canada. Advocating for the creation of a national Chief Health Accountability Officer. THE ACQUISITION AND THE DOMESTIC SUPPLY OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: Ensuring the federal government take additional measures ensure adequate supply, proper distribution, and appropriate usage of personal protective equipment throughout health systems. TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: provide CMA’s perspective on the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the health care sector including input on Bill C-27, and the means through which advancements can be foreseen and managed. PUBLIC-PRIVATE HEALTHCARE: The CMA is conducting a series of in-person sessions across the country to engage key stakeholders, including the public, physicians, patients/PWLE, policymakers, system leaders and others, in a dialogue on public-private healthcare. What we hear will inform CMA policy moving forward, and our recommendations for action at a national level. PHYSICIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN CAUCUS: advocate for the formation of a Physician Parliamentarian Caucus as a means of examining deficiencies in the health care system and proposing solutions. PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SAFETY: Advocate to address the challenges and opportunities for physical, psychological and cultural safety within Canada’s health system, including the implementation of a nation-wide anti-racism plan, the creation of a Canada Mental Health transfer, improving access to mental health services to physicians and their families, gender-affirming care, creating an emergency National Mental Health Support Services hotline for all health care providers, the creation of a National Physicians Day in Canada, ensuring safe and unimpeded access to

INDIGENOUS HEALTH: Improvement to the health and health care services provided to Indigenous peoples in Canada including adding inclusive lettering on health cards across Canada. Advocating for the creation of a national Chief Health Accountability Officer. TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: provide CMA’s perspective on the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the health care sector including input on Bill C-27, and the means through which advancements can be foreseen and managed. PUBLIC-PRIVATE HEALTHCARE: The CMA is conducting a series of in-person sessions across the country to engage key stakeholders, including the public, physicians, patients/PWLE, policymakers, system leaders and others, in a dialogue on public-private healthcare. What we hear will inform CMA policy moving forward, and our recommendations for action at a national level. PHYSICIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN CAUCUS: advocate for the formation of a Physician Parliamentarian Caucus as a means of examining deficiencies in the health care system and proposing solutions. PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SAFETY: Advocate to address the challenges and opportunities for physical, psychological and cultural safety within Canada’s health system, including the implementation of a nation-wide anti-racism plan, the creation of a Canada Mental Health transfer, improving access to mental health services to physicians and their families, gender-affirming care, creating an emergency National Mental Health Support Services hotline for all health care providers, the creation of a National Physicians Day in Canada, ensuring safe and unimpeded access to health care facilities for health care workers and patients. PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AND ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT ACT (PIPEDA) PRIVACY PROTECTION OF HEALTH INFORMATION AND THE REGULATORY REVIEW: Improvement to privacy legislation to protect the privacy of health information. PAN CANADIAN LICENSURE: Advocate for the ability for physicians with full licences to practise independently without restrictions or for medical resident trainees registered in any Canadian jurisdiction to practise or train in any other Canadian jurisdiction without having to acquire more than one licence or pay additional licensing fees. This includes exploring enabling legislation in the provinces and territories. NET ZERO: Advocate for sustainable health systems in Canada, including reaching net-zero emissions by 2050; advocate for the establishment of a national climate and health secretariat within the federal government to develop a pan-Canadian approach to addressing the impacts of climate change and health; and advocate for a targeted health infrastructure fund as part of the federal government’s long-term plan for public infrastructure. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING: Advancing the medical profession’s perspectives on medical assistance in dying. INTEGRATED HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCES Advocate for an Integrated Health Human Resources Strategy, including creating retention incentives and addressing administrative burden for health care professionals, increasing the number of doctors and nurses and ensuring that every Canadian has access to a family doctor or primary health team, increasing access to virtual care, creating an action plan to get internationally trained health care professionals to work, improving workforce data collection across health systems and investing in a supply needs-based planning tool, and facilitating team-based health care. INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Implementation of the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including addressing the ongoing structural inequities that marginalize Indigenous Peoples, advancing the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in societal systems and sectors, including health systems, and committing to collaborative and respectful relationships with Indigenous patients and communities. The CMA is also advocating to increase trust between Ind

TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: provide CMA’s perspective on the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the health care sector and the means through which advancements can be foreseen and managed. HARMFUL ONLINE CONTENT: Advocate to address the escalation of online harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence targeting physicians, other health workers, and anyone seeking health care treatment, including measures to strengthen the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Act. BUDGET: Provide CMA’s perspective on the Government of Canada’s budget, particularly as it relates to modernizing Canada’s health care system by enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and promoting equitable access to care. HEALTH DATA INTEROPERBILITY: Provide CMA’s perspective as it relates to health data interoperability that would ensure providers have access to the right information at the right time when providing care, and improve patient outcomes and their health care experience. The CMA is advocating that the trade of medical goods and medications be protected to avoid disruptions to patient care. Specifically, that the government: Continue to ensure pharmaceutical products and medical devices are not included in any countermeasures on tariffs Improve safeguards for Canadian health data Improve labour mobility so physicians can work across the country Make it easier for qualified physicians to immigrate and work in Canada, including by fast-tracking immigration steps for US physicians PAN CANADIAN LICENSURE: Advocate for the ability for physicians with full licences to practise independently without restrictions or for medical resident trainees registered in any Canadian jurisdiction to practise or train in any other Canadian jurisdiction without having to acquire more than one licence or pay additional licensing fees. This includes exploring enabling legislation in the provinces and territories. INTEGRATED HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCES: Advocate for an Integrated Health Human Resources Strategy, including creating retention incentives and addressing administrative burden for health care professionals, increasing the number of doctors and nurses and ensuring that every Canadian has access to a family doctor or primary health team, increasing access to virtual care, creating an action plan to get internationally trained health care professionals to work, improving workforce data collection across health systems and investing in a supply needs-based planning tool, and facilitating team-based health care. ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN: Advocate for measures to alleviate the administrative burden on physicians and support their professional wellbeing, including investment to facilitate the development of EHRs and EMRs in Canada, improved remuneration for the completion of federal health forms, ensuring that physicians are not captured in the definition of "promoters" in the Disability Tax Credit Promoters Restrictions Regulations, and advocacy on discontinuing the requirement that employees present sick notes to their employers. MEDICAL MIS/DISINFORMATION: Provide CMA’s perspective on the impacts of medical misinformation and disinformation, including on public trust in science, medicine, and public health experts. INDIGENOUS HEALTH: Improvement to the health and health care services provided to Indigenous peoples in Canada, including adding inclusive lettering on health cards across Canada. Advocating for the creation of a national Chief Health Accountability Officer. PUBLIC-PRIVATE HEALTHCARE: The CMA is conducting a series of in-person sessions across the country to engage key stakeholders, including the public, physicians, patients/PWLE, policymakers, system leaders and others, in a dialogue on public-private healthcare. What we hear will inform CMA policy moving forward, and our recommendations for action at a national level. PHYSICIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN CAUCUS: advocate for the formation of a Physician Parliamentarian Cauc

Protect children and youth from online harms by advancing evidence-informed policies (Bill C-34) that promote safer digital environments, support healthy development and well-being, and strengthen protections against harmful online content, interactions, and platform practices. PT stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund, specifically the $5 billion announced specifically for healthcare infrastructure, making sure that children's healthcare needs are taken into account in the program development. Creation of an Indigenous Guiding Circle within Children's Healthcare Canada to provide guidance and counsel on how to better advocate for FNIM children and youth health issues. Protect the Public Health Agency of Canada’s critical work, building confidence in vaccines for children and combatting mis and disinformation influencing decisions impacting children’s health. Protect and expand capacity to deliver on Jordan’s Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative (a federal responsibility); Top up and broaden the eligibility for the Youth Mental Health Fund, with a focus on prevention, early assessment and rapid intervention in the early years; Include Children’s Priorities in Nation-Building Investments : Asking for capital investments in the children’s healthcare system, including support for research, workforce planning, and the implementation of learning health systems. Advancing a National Children's Strategy to advance child and youth health and well-being outcomes.

Infrastructure funding to support innovation, student housing and other capital projects. Support the Recruitment of World-Class Faculty and Staff Research Funding for the purpose of attracting talent including Tri-Council programs such as CRCs , scholarships and bursaries Mobilizing science and technology to Canada's Advantage Funding for research related infrastructure through CFI and other tri-council programs Support through programs and involvement in policy development with regard to the application of university research in the area of population health. Student assistance and financial support with respect to the Canada Student Loans Program, Federally Funded Internships, Federal Scholarships, and Federal Bursary Programs. Research funding with respect to growth to Federal granting councils Research funding with respect to allocation of funds for indirect costs of research International student recruitment and acceptance through Citizenship and Immigration policies Funding for infrastructure projects associated with universities through federal economic stimulus funding and the FedDev program.

Trade and Export Promotion Programs, including the AgriMarketing Program and Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, with respect to increasing export opportunities for Canadian natural health and wellness products Safe Food for Canadians Regulations –Impact on Organic Product Regulations. Impact on GMO labelling for foods. Impact on small businesses. Regulations affiliated with the Cannabis Act regarding the legalization of cannabis; regulatory amendments related to phytocannabinoids Natural Health Products Regulations – fair and consistent interpretation by the regulator. Plain Language Labeling under the self-care products framework. Personal importation of natural health products. Food Directorate and Canadian Food Inspection Agency – draft guidance on foods/supplemented foods/nutrition facts/food labelling and label modernization. GMO mandated labelling for food. Food & Drug Regulation - ensure appropriate interpretation of regulations. Impact on GMO labelling for food. Amendments to the Food and Drugs Act – Ensure sensible rules for natural health products. Address prohibition on sampling of natural health products directly to the consumer. Implication of Health Canada’s proposed Consumer Health Products Framework. Consideration of the 53 recommendations made in 1998 by the Standing Committee on Health.

Supply management - supporting Canada's responsible supply management system. Mitigating impacts of trade on Canada's responsible supply management system.

Supply management - supporting Canada's responsible supply management system Mitigating impacts of trade on Canada's responsible supply management system

Protecting the third pillar of the responsible supply management system for chicken by supporting policy initiatives that mitigate the impacts of market access granted to other countries through previous trade agreements and advocating that no further market access be conceded in any future trade agreements. Promoting the benefits of the responsible supply management system for chicken in Canada. Advocating for the maintenance of the responsible supply management system.

Support approvals for export permits for international export markets Light Armoured Vehicle Special Variant Enhancements Additional Mechanized Armoured Vehicles (AMAV) Logistics Vehicle Modernization (LVM) project

International development; climate finance and agricultural sustainability; and public engagement and domestic support. Discussions on the clarification of the new trade and development policy. Global Affairs Canada (GAC)'s focus remains on poverty reduction and discussions on tied aid are not a priority. Climate finance should contribute to sustainable agricultural outcomes. There was also a discussion on moving from isolated development interventions toward more integrated systems approaches - silos to systems. With regards to public engagement and support for international development, there was a discussion on potential government support for sector-wide initiatives. Additionally, there was discussion on the possibility of GAC conducting research to understand how civil society organizations (CSOs) engage Canadians on international development issues. International development. Discussion about the strategic importance of international development aid to Canada's economy, national security and values. Additionally, we sought to understand the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC)'s position on aid and asked that resilient food systems be prioritized in the party's international development platform. International development. Make resilient food systems an aid priority and ensure the development-trade approach focuses on poverty reduction. localization and sustainability. Official development assistance should continue to focus on gender and localization. in this regard, at least $5.5 billion of ODA per annum should go towards poverty reduction in developing countries. Climate finance should prioritize vulnerable groups, support biodiversity and minimize debt. Canada should triple climate finance to $15.9 billion for 2026-2031. The 5-year pledge announced in spring 2026 was much lower. We “welcomed” it and will continue to work on quality issues. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Group (HPAG) and position HPAG as a thought-partner and ally for Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, gaining the ear of the Ambassador and his team for future influencing; highlight the prominence of Canadian international non governmental organizations (INGOs) within the humanitarian sector globally, highlighting the proportion and significance of Canadian aid; and to understand the Ambassador’s priorities and key next steps as he embarks on a new mandate. International Development. Discussion showcasing the results from our Nature Positive project which is part of the Partnering for Climate (P4C) program. The project responds to poverty and hunger, addressing climate change and building long-term economic resilience in sub-Saharan Africa. We asked for support in ensuring Canada’s next climate finance commitment prioritizes smallholder farmers and their communities in the Global South in adapting to climate change. International development. Discussion on Canada's official development assistance (ODA) and the need for it to prioritize food security. As a global leader in agriculture and food, Canada should help communities around the world dealing with rising food prices, climate change and conflict by prioritizing support for agriculture and food systems in its ODA. International development and international relations. Discussion on the importance of focusing on food security in humanitarian efforts, in light of the expected cuts to development funding. Additionally, discussion on the importance of official development assistance (ODA), alongside trade and economic stability to Canada, highlighting that ODA facilitates other aspects of international relationships. Discussion about Canada's official development assistance, its value to Canadian foreign policy and an appeal for Canada not to reduce aid but to show global leadership following the USAID cuts and decreases in aid budgets by some donor countries. Discussion about Canada's official development aid (ODA) and its valu

Regulatory approval process, in respect to the egg supply management system Agriculture as a strategic priority, in respect to economic growth and tools to support the agriculture sector and support food security. Policy on Salmonella Enteritidis in Canadian shell eggs, in respect of on-farm testing and vaccination pilot program Availability of animal health products and tools, in respect to disease response and preparedness in Canada Agriculture inputs into egg supply chain, in respect to pricing and availability for farmers Sustainability initiatives as they relate to agriculture, including emissions reduction programs and on-farm green transition Trade policy, in respect of supply management and international and domestic trade Programming to mitigate the market impacts caused by trade agreements Private sector risk management program, in respect of insurance Growing forward, in respect of suite of business risk management and supply management Egg regulations, in respect to egg grades, weights and labelling Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations with respect to production claims on labels Canadian Food Inspection Agency On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program, in respect to program development for pre-lay sectors Agriculture international development projects, in respect to supporting vulnerable communities and empowering egg farmers around the world

Availability of animal health products and tools, in respect to disease response and preparedness in Canada Agriculture inputs into egg supply chain, in respect to pricing and availability for farmers Sustainability initiatives as they relate to agriculture, including emissions reduction programs and on-farm green transition Trade policy, in respect of supply management and international and domestic trade Programming to mitigate the impacts caused by trade agreements Private sector risk management program, in respect of insurance Policy on Salmonella Enteritidis in Canadian shell eggs, in respect of on-farm testing and table eggs Growing forward, in respect of suite of business risk management and supply management Egg regulations, in respect of egg grades, weights and labelling Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations with respect to production claims on labels Canadian Food Inspection Agency On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program, in respect to program development for pre-lay sectors Agriculture international development projects, in respect to supporting vulnerable communities and empowering egg farmers around the world

CFIB supports the principle behind the Canada Jobs Grant but encourages flexibility in its implementation and consideration of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)' needs. For example, introducing a permanent refundable tax credits for co-op and internship hires and reducing red tape from programs like Canada Summer Jobs to make it easier for small businesses to continue hiring youth. Advocating on behalf of small and medium-sized businesses to facilitate trade between Canada and other countries (CAN-US tariffs, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Chinese tariffs). Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shares its suggestions for Budget 2026 focusing on: reducing the small business tax rate from 9% to 6% and increasing the small business deduction (SBD) threshold to $700,000 and index it to inflation going forward. Canada is experiencing an “entrepreneurial drought”: a sustained period where business closures consistently outpace new business starts, leading to a shrinking entrepreneurial base and declining confidence in entrepreneurship. CFIB recommends that reversing this trend should be treated as a national economic priority. Sharing small businesses' views on Labour Code changes, impact on small businesses and the need to ensure the fluidity of the supply chain. Sharing survey results on improving CFIA customer service to encourage the review of their operations to better meet the needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) - reducing red tape and facilitating food mobility within Canada. Sharing data information and recommendations related to the state of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) overall and for specific sectors which could also include provincial data. Promoting reforms to the Competition Act that will ensure small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete in today’s economy, especially as small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have noted an increase in large corporate giants within Canada. Shipping costs pose a significant barrier for small business, as such we continue to advocate for favourable shipping rates with carriers (including the cost of shipping along with better service levels and addressing the work stoppage at Canada Post). Presenting the views of small business owners based on our survey data to the Canada Revenue Agency to share ways of improving customer service interactions with small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to ease the tax burden on small business owners as well as increase accountability within the agency. CFIB continues to monitor the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Act on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and other issues raised related to the mandate of Health Canada. We also continue to monitor customer service interactions between our members and Health Canada. Any issues are raised with officials. CFIB advocates for simplification to the federal procurement process on behalf of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Lobbying to reduce Red Tape by focusing on removing interprovincial trade barriers, facilitating labour mobility and improving government customer service. This includes providing input for the consultations on the Annual Regulatory Modernization Bill. Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax Administration with regards to Transitional Rules, Out of Province Sales Rules, Point-of-Sale Rebate, and fillings. Retirement Income Policies, and proposed Canada Pension Plan increases. CFIB is against mandatory increases in Canada Pension Plan, and has provided alternative approaches. CFIB has also shared recommendations to reduce disincentives to work for older workers. Presenting the views of small business owners on infrastructure spending through member survey results, mandate votes and other CFIB research. Offering funding solutions and alternatives to government proposals on transit and infrastructure expansion. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

Discussions with government officials regarding the national electricity strategy and the role of propane, renewable propane and rDME in Canada, including their potential as lower-emissions, efficient fuels, in relation to environmental, energy, industry, finance, agriculture and transportation policies. Reduction in interprovincial trade barriers: to remove barriers to labour mobility and provide a national regulatory approach for propane through streamlining/harmonizing existing prov/fed regulations while ensuring the continued safety and security of the industry. Propane exports: to promote and support existing and future opportunities to export Canadian propane to new and existing foreign markets like Japan and Korea. Discussions with government officials with respect to recognizing and promoting propane, renewable propane and rDME as a cleaner burning, efficient fuels in Canada, as it relates to the environment, energy, industry, finance, agriculture and transportation. Discussions with government officials as it pertains to the effect of possible rail strikes on the energy sector in Canada. Discussions with government officials as it pertains to the transportation of propane via rail, pipeline, trucking and perhaps marine. Also the transportation of propane across Canada/U.S Border. Discussions with government as it pertains to legislation in areas such as Finance, Indigenous, Transportation, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. Aboriginal Affairs with respect to the promotion of the use of propane as a clean burning efficient fuel in First Nations communities.