Karl Van Kessel

Discussions on measures to support the competitiveness of the Canadian aluminum industry in the current trade climate. Propose changes to the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit to support green transition projects in the manufacturing sector. Promouvoir le développement de nouvelles technologies de production d'aluminium au Canada. Discussion on the design of potential future carbon border adjustment mechanism in Canada. Discussion on CUSMA implementation and impacts of trade barriers (ie 232 tariffs) for market access to the US of Canadian aluminum Démarche avec le Fonds Stratégique pour l’Innovation concernant le projet de technologie avancée de fusion d’aluminium. Demande de financement pour le développement de nouvelles technologies de production d'aluminium au Canada. Sources de financement à déterminer.

Discussions on measures to support the competitiveness of the Canadian aluminum industry in the current trade climate. Representations to inform the government of opportunities for new aluminum production technologies that could be developed in Canada through the Strategic Innovation Fund. Meetings with the federal government on the various trade agreements (North American Free Trade Agreement, Canada-China bilateral trade)

Discussions on direct business impacts of tariffs Ensure forthcoming privacy legislation, regulations or guidances provide a level playing field for businesses in the auto-aftermarket and prioritizes consumer control over vehicle data. Discuss business impacts of current tariffs.

Ensure forthcoming privacy legislation, regulations or guidance provides a level playing field for businesses in the auto-aftermarket and prioritizes consumer control over vehicle data.

Discussing encouraging the federal government to work with the provinces to break down interprovincial trade barriers as they relate to labour and credentials Discussing promotion of trades to youth, including marketing programs, advertisements, trade shows, working in collaboration with schools and the provinces. Discussing labour mobility policy in Canada, ensuring workers have the correct certification to work throughout the country. Discussing enhancing credentialing to enable faster and more streamlined certification for new Canadian workers. Discussed program structure and policy direction of the upcoming workforce alliances and the sectorial workforce innovation fund initiatives Advocated for opportunities within Canada's manufacturing sector to support future infrastructure initiatives in housing and/or public works projects. Discussing issues within Quebec's manufacturing sector, including Temporary Foreign Workers. Advocating for improvements to Canada's trade-enabling transportation infrastructure. Advocating for specific implementation measures related to recent policies or measures outlined in the latest budget process. Advocating for Health Canada-related policies that impact manufacturing. Advocate for support for Canada's steel industry Matters related to advancing female workforce in the manufacturing industry. Matters related to the renewal of CUSMA. Matters related to military and defence procurement Discuss the upcoming priorities of the RNNR Committee and its impact on the industry Advocate for policies to enhance Canadian manufacturing productivity Plastic issues as they are related to waste, pollution, health, single-use plastics, sources of plastic waste, government-industry cooperation in reducing plastic pollution, strengthening sustainable economies, protecting the environment, plastic registry, PFAS, etc Matters related to the impacts of rules limiting the intake of temporary foreign workers on manufacturing business. Matters related to upcoming RNNR Committee priorities on energy, forest, minerals and metals, and earth sciences sectors, and the impacts on the industry. Advocating for extension of existing IRCC pilot programs Matters related to trade with USA as they related to trade policies, tariffs, trade agreements, regulatory reform, retaliatory measures, tariff policy, remissions/relief policies considered by the federal government, provincial impact of implementing tariffs, etc. Matters related to the expected impact of US tariffs on manufacturing sectors and discuss funding opportunities for BuyCanada and BuyOntario Campaigns. Matters related to EI, worksharing program Critical minerals issues as they are related to barriers to extraction and processing, environmental impacts, social impacts, technological challenges, limited energy options, etc. Advocate for assistance to manage the frequent disruption of critical transportation infrastructure due to trade conflict and better financial support for trade corridors and a flexible regulatory approach for trucking regulations, renewal of iZEV program, removal of the luxury tax which impacts aircraft manufacturing Advocate for supply chain issues as they related to transportation and logistics, labour shortages/strikes, rising fuel and energy costs, regulatory changes such as ESG compliance laws, broken supply chains due to transportation barriers/strikes and long wait times for materials, etc. Advocated for broad supports to Canada's manufacturing sector to cope with U.S. trade developments. This includes relief for technology investment, on-the-job training, excise duty, broad red tape reduction, using both grants (e.g. SIF) and taxation (e.g. capital gains, corporate tax, excise duty). Advocate for Labour and skills shortages, support for workforce development training and education Advocate for the simplification, modernization and harmonization of the Canada's border regulations, including Beyond the Border. Advocate for reform to the Tempo

Support CUTRIC’s application to ensure the federal government invests $10M in start-up seed financing for the development of a cutting edge (and publicly-controlled) ACES Big Data Trust (“Autonomous, Connected, Electric & Shared” Big Data Trust), which would ensure standardized data collection, aggregation, sharing and use for optimized decision-making for fleet procurements of electric, hydrogen electric, and autonomous, i.e. “smart”, transportation fleets across Canada. The ACES Big Data Trust will help to reduce taxpayer losses due to inefficient and unempirical procurement decision-making across Canada’s public fleets, by ensuring public fleet procurement bodies and agencies have access to the real-time, accurate, precise and immediately accessible performance data they need to hold manufacturers to account and assess performance of vehicles procured once in fleet. The ACES Big Data Trust will optimize the use of tax dollars invested in public fleets across the heavy-duty sector of vehicles, including buses, rail, coaches and municipal heavy-duty service vehicles. The Government of Canada must launch the development of a robust Canadian Transportation Innovation & Industrial Development Strategy. The Strategy would require a “hub” marriage between Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), Innovation, Science and Industry and Environment Canada, and Transport Canada on the transportation innovation file. The Strategy should be launched with a federal Task Force with the support of Members of Parliament, mobility manufacturers, integrators, fleets/transit systems, and alternative fuel providers to generate programming aimed at future low-carbon smart mobility infrastructure integration, innovation and technological advancement in transportation. Secure funding to support a national smart vehicle demonstration and integration trial which supports the long-term deployment of autonomous shuttles in Markham, Ontario. To present the Foreign Affairs, Commerce & Trade (FACT) Task Force, a multi-stakeholder working group established by the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC). Its purpose is to support Canada's transit manufacturing sector in navigating international trade challenges, particularly in light of recently imposed U.S. tariffs and anticipated Canadian countermeasures. The Task Force serves as a forum for manufacturers, suppliers, transit agencies, labour representatives, and academic experts to share insights, assess risks, and collaboratively develop policy recommendations. Its objective is to mitigate negative impacts on Canadian jobs, production capacity, and public mobility outcomes. The FACT Task Force advocates for tariff exemptions on transit-related goods and services, and for policy supports that protect domestic supply chains and sustain Canada's zero-emission transit goals. Support a Return to Transit project that aims to secure funding for Research & Development into getting transit riders back on transit safely. Support CUTRIC’s development of a Joint Procurement Initiative that improves transit by moving people more efficiently across Canada using the most cutting edge zero-emissions technology projects available worldwide. CUTRIC’s Joint Procurement Initiative will support the launch of zero emission buses CUTRIC across Canada, with a focus on the GTHA. Secure funding for a Return to Transit research and innovation program which supports the research on the safe return of ridership to transit as well as supports low carbon smart mobility focused projects. Advocating for funding for the Pan-Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus Demonstration & Integration Trial as Ontario recently cancelled the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Fund. Secure federal government funding for low-carbon smart mobility projects. Within Canadian Transportation Innovation & Industrial Development Strategy, Canada needs to identify a clear mandate for Alter

Discussions concerning policies, that relate to Canadian defense spending, including opportunities to Canada's automotive sector Auto Innovation Fund, Strategic Innovation Fund, Strategic Response Fund, and R&D/Innovation Funds: Financial assistance and funding with ongoing manufacturing investments in Canada for vehicle and engine manufacturing facilities and R&D centres. Discussions about federal efforts to address automotive theft as they relate to vehicle tracking, law enforcement collaboration, and regulatory measures. Discussions about Transport Canada’s connected vehicle security policies as they relate to industry standards, cybersecurity risks and regulatory compliance Review of Canada's Bank Act and financial regulations in Canada U.S. policies regarding the auto sector as it relates to Canadian automotive, steel, aluminum and critical mineral exports and imports. U.S. policies regarding tariffs as it relates to Canadian automotive, steel, aluminum and critical mineral exports. U.S. policies regarding trade as it relates to Canadian automotive, steel, aluminum and critical mineral exports. Provide an overview of Canada's integrated auto sector and Canada's role in the global auto sector Promote investments and improvements to new and existing trade infrastructure to support the automotive manufacturing supply chain. Ensure an automotive strategy provides for a competitive environment that encourages maintenance of current and new automotive investment. Discussion concerning policies that relate to import and export of vehicles and parts, including impact on Canada's automotive sector and national security. Discussions concerning investments in Canada as it relates to automotive and automotive parts manufacturing, EV battery and EV battery supply chain manufacturing, critical minerals, including incentive support and taxation. Budget recommendations related to attracting investment to Canada, business competitiveness, taxation, grants and incentives, and any other policies or regulations related to automotive sector, advanced manufacturing and R&D Discussions regarding transportation, vehicle electrification and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including the government's light-duty Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) sales mandate regulation, ZEV charging and refueling infrastructure development, and consumer issues. Discussions related to the broad range of electrified vehicles and multi-energy technologies Discussions regarding consultations, policies and regulations related to technology and IT Communications Discussions regarding consultation, outreach, policies and opportunities related to investment, development, export/import of critical minerals Transportation system policies and disruptions, CBSA Assessment & Revenue Management (CARM); Beyond the Border; Trusted Trader; Customs Self Assessment (CSA); support border policies and administration by CBSA supports and enhances trans-border shipments of goods, cross-border movement of workers who perform essential services, and security. Trade agreement negotiation and policies/regulations/tariffs related to import/exports to support the Canadian automotive sector Bilateral and plurolateral trade agreements comprehend the North American integration of the Automotive industry USMCA: Participation in consultation group in the renegotiation of the United States, Mexico, Canada agreement, administered by Global Affairs Canada. Technology Partnerships Canada (PSIP Project 494063 - Government Support to Renew Oakville Assembly Complex) Section 232 - Participating in discussions to highlight impact of steel and aluminum tariffs on Canadian automotive industry Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change: Participation in working groups (ZEV strategy) administered by various ministries including ISED, Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada. Other trade agreements (ie: Mercosur, China) - Participating in working groups to promote fair trade agreement supportin

Commercial transportation policy, as it relates to ground and air modes of transport, particularly for the movement of goods. Obligations and implementation information for customs brokers and transportation logistics regarding the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour International trade policy, customs and border security policy, programs, and processes. Legislation, regulations, and/or policies or programs that affect procedures relating to importing and exporting goods, and the collection of duties and taxes at the border. Regulations concerning fuel and vehicle emissions. Infrastructure and incentive programs to encourage increased uptake of sustainable vehicle and fueling technology. Immigration policies as they relate to work permit conditions. Data privacy and cyber security, as they relate to the movement of goods, and the provision of services. Changes to the Canada Labour Code, and other labour and employment policy changes impacting federally regulated employers.