Kurt Holman

Concerns related to U.S. imposed tariffs Innovation and Skills Plan, Apprenticeship: Upskilling of current and future aftermarket industry workforce as industry transitions from predominantly mechanical to more technical trade. Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS): The intent and objective of the agreement is to “maintain an open, fair and competitive automotive manufacturing, import, distribution, service and repair industry in Canada for the benefit of all stakeholders and consumers”. Access to the Connected Vehicle: Secure industry access to the connected vehicle ecosystem.

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

Discussing the importance of investment into the Canadian domestic food supply chain to ensure food security for Canadians Discussing regulatory irritants and opportunities to improve efficiency in Canada's food system Discussing the importance of food safety and a strong regulatory framework that underpins the safety of food in Canada The National Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, planning for a foreign animal disease outbreak and updating the Animal Transport Regulations. The implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit Act Raising awareness about the the economic and environmental benefits of Anaerobic Digestion and methane reduction Preparedness for African Swine Fever Policies and programs that address the social determinants of health Implementation of a national school food program Free trade negotiations and opportunities for enhanced pork trade. Development of a national food policy Clarifying details of The Investment Tax Credit

Advocate for government to introduce programs/testing to monitor and address the movement of poultry into Canada outside of Canada's import (TRQ) controls. Provide input and advice on Canada's Food Security Strategy and other measures to address food insecurity. Inquiries regarding the processing of Remission Applications Advocate for red tape reduction. Funding under Strategic Innovation Fund and other government programs to support food manufacturing in Canada. Extension of open work permits and addition of pathways to permanent residency for foreign workers in the food manufacturing sector. Advocating for regulations to exclude food from the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act given the significant risks to food safety and international trade. Tariffs: Lobby federal government on Canada's response to U.S. and other tariffs Orderly functioning of Poultry Supply Management including allocation decisions. Plastic packaging - ensure Federal Policy framework sets achievable targets for food packaging and recognizes packaging functional requirements. Greenwashing provisions of Competition Act - requesting amendments to address concern that legislation will reduce climate leadership in Canada. Temporary Foreign Worker Program and its application to food manufacturing and agriculture. The National Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, planning for a foreign animal disease outbreak and updating the Animal Transport Regulations. The Import for Re-export Program for chicken, administration of import controls for chicken and fowl and design of a Processor Modernization Program. The Food and Drugs Regulations and policies, specifically approval of food ingredients including anti-microbial treatments for meat, approval of health claims, implementation of new allergen labeling regulations and policies on sodium reduction. Public Opinion Polling related to food insecurity and poverty Preparedness for African Swine Fever Policies and Programs to reduce food insecurity Policies and programs that address the social determinants of health Initiatives under the Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance as it relates to the meat and livestock industry. Implementation of a national school food program Healthy Eating Strategy including implementation of the new Nutrition Facts Table, front-of-pack nutrition labeling regulations, development of the new Canada's Food Guide. Government action to stengthen the food safety system through new regulations under the Safe Food for Canadians Act. CFIA's labeling modernization initiative and impact on food labeling practices in the food marketplace. Access to funding under Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs Providing input on the scope of the 21st Century Corporations Act, particularly as it relates to the obligations placed on corporations and directors under the Act.

To provide funding for the Canadian Collaboration to Cure ALS, to establish a coordinated national research ecosystem through which every Canadian living with ALS can participate in, and benefit from, cutting-edge science that will accelerate discoveries by Canadian researchers, advance understanding of the disease, and enable the development of therapies to treat this devastating terminal illness with greater precision. Sources of funding are to be determined. Policies or programs related to access to care and potential treatments for the ALS Community. Amendment to the compassionate care program to make it more accessible to caregivers and to increase the length of the benefit.

Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, Part 13 Organic Products Regulations of the Seeds Act, regarding the needs and concerns of the organic sector, plant breeding and seed saving Regulations of the Plant Breeders' Rights Act, regarding the needs and concerns of the organic sector, plant breeding and seed-saving Regulations of the Pest Control Products Act, relating to the organic Permitted Substances List and organic pest control measures Regulations of the Fertilizers Act, regarding the review of organic fertilizers and allowable organic claims, relating to the implementation of the Organic Products Regulations Organic Products Regulations, regarding ongoing implementation and administrative policies Natural Health Products Regulations, relating to systems for natural health products that complement the Organic Products Regulations for food products and Canadian organic standards

Federal support for equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and Indigenization efforts including Employment Equity, Pay Equity and data collection Support for federal policies, legislation and regulations that respect institutional autonomy, academic freedom and collegial governance in post-secondary education. Increased federal supports for post-secondary education, students, academic and professional staff, including student financial assistance, federal transfers and programs such as infrastructure, official languages, and training. Advocacy on federal research funding, policy, science governance, research integrity and research security frameworks Ensuring users' rights are respected with regards to educators' ability to access, use and share materials covered by copyright. Increase in funding for federal programs that support Indigenous post-secondary education

National caregiving strategy including necessary policy, program, and budgetary allocations. Convert the Canada Caregiver Credit into a refundable tax-free benefit.

Discussions with government concerning regulation, policies and programs concerning veteran employment as it relates to the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires' social mandate to support veterans through meaningful employment, and other areas of support. The focus is on how Commissionaires can support the VAC Veterans Employment Strategy through our long standing role of providing security services across government.

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)

Engaging the government of Canada in conversations about integrating hydrogen into Canada’s trade diversification agenda, including exploring opportunities in emerging markets and supporting infrastructure that enables domestic and international hydrogen adoption. Engage the government of Canada in conversations regarding the development and implementation of the Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit Communicating with government regarding the adoption of hydrogen and hydrogen fuel technologies, carbon pricing, and policies encouraging reduction in CO2 emissions.