Karim Bardeesy

Discuss details and provide information to elected officials, minister, staff and officials regarding the request for AI funding to support Brain Research Invite Ministers and MPs to attend research announcements on behalf of the government. Seeking funds from Health Canada through the Canadian Brain Research Fund to continue to support Brain Research across Canada.

Brain Canada Foundation is seeking a top-up to its current funding to support the development and application of AI to accelerate research, advance our understanding of the brain, and identify solutions for brain diseases and disorders. Brain Canada Foundation is seeking additional funding to increase the Canada Brain Research Fund, which is currently funded by the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, and which current funding expires March 31, 2028. Brain Canada Foundation wishes to engage the Government on policy development issues related to medical research support, mental health, Indigenous health, and sex and gender diversity in the medical and research fields.

Advocacy related to university engagement in Canadian priorities in artificial intelligence, data systems and related computing science and energy subjects, including but not limited to specific calls for proposals. Advocacy for university initiatives related to Canadian priorities across the defence spectrum, including initiatives relevant to both Defence and Veterans' Affairs, among other federal departments. Advocacy to enhance support for university research mobilization and commercialization activities. Research security, with respect to international research partnerships Discussions with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and other relevant departments and agencies regarding the role of universities in supporting federal innovation initiatives, policies and programs. Discussions regarding research and development initiatives and federal support related to energy and environment, and climate change research, innovation, commercialization, talent and knowledge mobilization. Discussions regarding official language funding amounts and mechanisms. Discussions about the Copyright Act and details of its implementation in a post-secondary setting. Advocacy to secure support in the budget for post-secondary education, research, innovation, and science and technology. Advocacy to secure federal support to develop and upgrade university infrastructure, including but not limited to research and learning facilities, digital infrastructure, and transit infrastructure. Advocacy to increase support for university research, including research funding and granting programs administered by the tri-agencies (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR) and other departments and agencies. Advocacy to improve immigration policies and programs for prospective and current university students, faculty, and staff. Advocacy to ensure that proposals to develop or amend federal legislation, regulations, policies or programs that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary system reflect the needs of universities and support our research and education mission. Advocacy to enhance student supports, including but no limited to Canada Student Grants and Loans, the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program, supports for Indigenous students, and work-integrated learning programs. Advocacy to advance Canadian leadership in priority areas to support world class research, talent attraction and retention, and knowledge mobilization. Advocacy related to reconciliation efforts, including but not limited to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

Seek funding support for an institutional artificial intelligence ecosystem proposal from the Artificial Intelligence Compute Challenge Seek funding support for an institutional defence network proposal via the Defence Innovation Secure Hub Advocacy to improve immigration policies and programs for prospective and current university students, faculty, and staff.

Support for new research and campus infrastructure. Increased funding and program design for various programs administered by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Funding or support with respect to international development cooperation (student and academic mobility, internships, research collaboration, exchanges, technical assistance). Discussions regarding possible research and development initiatives for, and investments in, partnerships with the University of Calgary. Discussions concerning potential research and development initiatives and investments related to clean energy, environmental research and climate change policy. Discussions about policy implementation regarding the academic visa process in support of international faculty recruitment with respect to changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Budget bills in support of federal funding for post-secondary education, research, innovation, science and technology.

Discussions to provide information about CIFAR’s activities, benefits, and perspectives on issues related to fundamental research and innovation, as well as to offer advice on policy or program development in this sector. Funding for long-term, interdisciplinary and deeply collaborative global research programs to inspire new directions of inquiry, accelerates discovery, and yields breakthroughs across borders and academic disciplines. The work conducted by CIFAR contributes to a platform of robust, reliable knowledge upon which new technologies, processes and public policy are created. Funding to maintain CIFAR's role and responsibilities in leading the Pan-Canadian AI strategy.

Border/port security policy, capacity, and federal-provincial coordination to combat auto theft. Ensure connected vehicle security and national security activities meet the intended objectives in a manner that is efficient with fully aligned outcomes with the U.S. Competitive industrial policies and supports such as the Strategic Innovation Fund. Revisions to the Workplace Hazardous Materials information system and inclusion of globally Harmonized System clarification and labelling of chemicals must recognize the integration production facilities and processes in Canada and the U.S. Regulatory requirements for conventional alternative and renewable fuels and associated fuel quality standards to support vehicle emission control technology and vehicle performance. Promote transportation infrastructure and policies to support testing and deployment of evolving vehicle technologies such as connected vehicles and automated vehicles aligned across Canada and with the U.S.; ensure efficient cross-border movement of vehicles for testing. Promote trade infrastructure to support the automotive manufacturing supply chain. Promote enhancements to highway infrastructure, including that for connected vehicle and automated vehicle technologies; transportation and border infrastructure that support the efficient movement of goods in a just-in-time supply chain environment. Ensure efficiencies in reporting fuel consumption data for the annual fuel consumption guide; ensure website and fuel economy labels are consistent with those in the U.S. Trade agreement negotiation and implementation that maximizes commercial benefits and export opportunities. Federal privacy, AI, cybersecurity-related legislation and regulation; Canadian Anti-spam legislation and regulation; Competition Act amendments; related to the development of new advancements in vehicle technology and in-vehicle communication. Ensure regulatory requirements for vehicle safety and supporting programs and policies meet the intended safety objectives and are aligned and synchronized with the U.S. Ensure the requirements of the Chemical Management plan are developed and applied in a manner that achieves the government's objectives and does not disrupt vehicle manufacturing operations and vehicles and new vehicle battery operations. Ensure the implementation of the new Canadian Environmental Protection Act is applied in a manner that does not disrupt manufacturing operations, vehicles, and vehicle battery operations. Ensure the alignment of Canada and U.S. vehicle emission and greenhouse gas standards, for light duty (2025 and beyond), and heavy duty vehicles (2019 and beyond) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Ensure that federal ZEV policies support consumer uptake and demand, and comprehend the integrated nature of the auto industry and the need for alignment with U.S. federal ZEV policies and programs. Ensure that the proposed Clean Electricity Regulations do not impede the uptake and adoption of ZEVs and building out ZEV charging infrastructure. Ensure low EI rates are maintained and do not unreasonable raise the cost of doing business in Canada, or negatively impact competitiveness for new investment Ensure any further review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act is applied in a manner that achieves the governments objectives and does not disrupt manufacturing operations and vehicles. Ensure an automotive strategy provides for a competitive environment that encourages maintenance of current and new automotive investment. Ensure alignment of Canada U.S. harmonized Tier 3 and beyond vehicle criteria air emission standards and supporting fuel quality requirements Employment and Training maintaining a strong apprenticeships system across Canada for a skilled workforce. Ensure there is an efficient temporary international worker process to allow for specialized expertise that is required for company-specific tasks. Data privacy framework that comprehends the develop

Advocate for place-based solutions to Canada’s biggest challenges, which support the region-specific mandates of public colleges and ensure local training needs are considered in policy development. Increase support to developing countries and other partner countries to build technical and vocational training capacity, strengthen skills development and education systems, and enhance Canada’s global education brand. Advocate for support for college-led research as a core component of federal research and innovation funding and policy. Discuss how colleges can support immigration programs, such as foreign credential recognition or international students, to meet Canada’s labour market needs, and share with officials impacts of policy changes on the college sector. Share with officials how colleges can support Canada’s training and workforce development needs to meet Canada’s biggest challenges. Share with officials the role of colleges and institutes in delivering high quality education for Canadians, and ensuring access to education for Canadians. Advance reconciliation through partnerships with Canada’s public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics, and Indigenous Institutes of Education. Promote the role and expertise of colleges in deepening Canada’s relationships with other countries. Promote the value of educational fair dealing in supporting colleges and institutes in their mandate to provide advanced skills and to enable them to better respond to the skills shortage. Increase investments and support to address colleges’ infrastructure needs to increase Canada’s training space and access in key high-demand fields that align with federal priority areas. Enable post-secondary institutions to obtain grants and loans to develop student housing projects, with additional supports for housing that supports students from vulnerable populations. Ensure Canada’s colleges and institutes have the necessary federal support to provide high-quality training for future healthcare professionals. Ensure the specific needs of institutions, including French institutions and those in minority linguistic communities, are taken into account when federal policies and programs are designed and delivered.

Engagement on youth entrepreneurship support - We continue to engage with government stakeholders to enable Futurpreneur to continue to provide mentoring, financing and business services/support to young diverse entrepreneurs, including Indigenous entrepreneurs and OLMCs. Futurpreneur supports business creation in all regions, including working in rural communities and First Nations. This also includes growth initiatives for young entrepreneurs and their startup/SMEs, as well as international trade opportunities, such as the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance.

NATIONAL ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLE STRATEGY: Communicating with government officials about the National Zero-Emissions Vehicle Strategy, more specifically (i) providing expert industry input on the strategy, (ii) participating in various advisory groups and (iii) participating in the government review and any future activities related to this topic. These communications will involve discussions about design, infrastructure, incentives, supply, and public awareness. NEW MARKET ENTRANTS: Communicating with government officials about new market entrants into Canada, including ensuring there is a level playing field with automakers regarding the sale and assembly of vehicles in Canada. INTERNATIONAL TRADE: Communicating with government officials about international trade, trade issues and support measures related to the automotive industry and automotive manufacturing, including potential tariffs on automobiles, automotive parts and batteries. GHG REGULATIONS: Communicating with government officials about greenhouse gas regulations and any related consultations with respect to the current or future Canadian standards. COMPETITIVENESS AND ECONOMIC & TRADE UNCERTAINTY: Communicating with government officials about potential support, policies and programs, including but not limited to the Auto Strategy and its pillars, Employment Insurance (EI), preventing labour disruptions (and to re-train employees) and maintain manufacturing competitiveness given the current economic and trade uncertainty. STRATEGIC RESPONSE FUND (SRF) AND STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND ("SIF"): Communicating with government officials about funding under the Strategic Innovation Fund and the newly created Strategic Response Fund, to ensure and maintain the competitiveness of automobile manufacturing in Canada. REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Communicating with government officials about regional economic development programs and funding, including those offered by the Federal Economic Development Agency. BANK ACT: Communicating with the Government of Canada about the statutory review of the Bank Act, SC 1991, c. 46, more specifically about vehicle leasing. VEHICLE THEFT: Communicating with government officials about vehicle thefts across Canada, including measures to limit vehicle theft. The goal of these communications is, in part, to ensure cross-departmental coordination in addressing the issue. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Communicating with government officials about the processing of travel documents, more specifically visas. MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT: Communicating with government officials about the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, more specifically (i) alignment with American safety standards, (ii) flexibility on regulations for vehicles, (iii) target setting for greenhouse gas emissions and (iv) improved recall completion rates. MEASURES AGAINST FORCED AND CHILD LABOUR: Communicating with government officials about measures to eliminate forced and child labour, more specifically (i) monitoring legislative and regulatory developments to increase supply chain transparency and (ii) ensuring industry has enough time to comply with future supply chain transparency obligations. LUXURY TAX: Communicating with government officials about luxury taxes, more specifically (i) ensuring luxury taxes are removed from electric vehicles ("EVs"), (ii) ensuring luxury taxes are removed (or reduced) on recreational boats and (iii) ensuring luxury taxes do not conflict with other government measures, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. INVESTMENT TAX INCENTIVES: Communicating with government officials about investment tax incentives under the Income Tax Act, including the Investment Tax Credit ("ITC"). INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WORK: Communicating with government officials about international students, more specifically eligibility for off-campus work during studies at a designated learning institutions (“DLIs”). ELECTRIC VEHICHLE ("EV") INFRASTRUCTURE: Communicating with government officia

Working with federal partners to streamline Health Canada policies and processes related to clinical trials and drug authorization specific to children, including the passage of C-265, an Act to Amend the Food and Drugs Act. Supporting the introduction and passing of legislation that would increase protections for children and youth online, including the passage of C-34, the Safe Social Media Act. Encouraging the development and strengthening of legislation and regulations that limit children's access to nicotine. Engaging federal partners on the national and international role that SickKids plays in child health care, research and education.

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.