Lena Diab

Trade policy with respect to potential new policies or regulations or international negotiations affecting the Canadian cement industry The National Pollutants Release Inventory (NPRI) with respect to the requirements for annual reporting by cement manufacturing facilities. Scientific research and development tax incentive program and the design scope of programs applicable to the cement industry. National Building Code of Canada with respect to proposed amendments and fire safety Input regarding federal policies that can affect the competitiveness of the Canadian cement industry. infrastructure Canada Program (ICP) in respect of funding design, requirements and implementation. Greenhouse gas inventory policy or program in respect of the consultations with industry and federal-provincial harmonization. Government's financial contributions as it relates to existing cement plants or the construction of new cement plants. Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, relating to regulations and voluntary programs pertaining to greenhouse gas emissions Base Levels Industrial Emissions Requirements (BLIERS) in particular the upcoming Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations Air Quality Management System (AQMS) - Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Framework with respect to the Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) and consultations with other industry sectors on upcoming policies and regulations.

Communicating with government officials about international trade, more specifically trade issues related to the cement industry, including potential tariffs. Federal initiatives on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage to support investment by the cement industry in projects to reach the industry's net-zero ambition. Engaging Parliamentarians on federal government policies impacting Canada’s economic security, supply chain resilience and sustainability and potential impacts on the Cement Industry in Canada and its ability to remain competitive in a global market The Investing in Canada Plan, National Infrastructure Assessment and the Building Canada Plan: Gas Tax Fund in respect of funding to municipalities for infrastructure investments. The Federal Hydrogen Strategy and the role of the cement and concrete industry as hydrogen end users The Federal Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR) and their impact on cost competitiveness of the cement and concrete industry The announced climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy and the role of cement and concrete to reach Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan Scientific Research and Development Tax Incentive Program and the design scope of programs applicable to the cement industry. Renewable Fuels Regulations in respect of incentives for energy from renewable sources. Public-Private Partnership and in respect of the P3 Crown Corporation. National Sustainable Development Act, in respect of materials and design consideration in sustainable construction. National Pollutant Release Inventory policy regarding air emissions. National highways policies and programs and the design and life cycle assessment and costing of roads and highways. National Building Code of Canada with respect to proposed amendments to include lower carbon materials and fire safety Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) policy or program in respect of advocating for concrete highways and concrete infrastructure Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Provincial-Territorial Funding in regards to infrastructure spending and promoting sustainability and life-cycle assessment and costing requirements for projects. Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: GST Rebate in respect of manufacturing tax costs. Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Gateways & Border Crossings Fund in respect of improvements to the flow of goods across borders through the promotion of concrete infrastructure. Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the National Infrastructure Assessment and Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) and is respect of life cycle assessment and costing and design requirements for projects. Introduction of carbon contracts for difference to support long-term investment by the cement industry in projects to support lower carbon cement and concrete Input regarding federal policies that can help enhance the competitiveness of the Canadian cement industry. Infrastructure Canada Program (ICP) in respect of funding design, requirements and implementation. Import Tariff on Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment in respect of lowering or elimination of tariffs on imported machinery and equipment. Greening of Federal Government procurement policies and programs in respect of sustainability and adoption of lower carbon concrete. Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and related Output-Based Pricing System regulations in respect of GHG and air emissions and carbon pricing. Greenhouse gas inventory policy or program in respect of the consultations with industry and federal-provincial harmonization and greenhouse gas emission reporting under a national single window system. Federal Contaminated Sites Management in respect of design and funding requirements for projects. Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan regarding brownfield sites and the promotion of cement based solidification and stabilization technology choices for projects. Clean Energy Fund Program in respect of renewable and clean energy a

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

National Food Security Strategy - Agriculture should be treated as a national priority, given its central role in food security, economic growth, and global stability. A national food security strategy should put farmers and food production at its core by improving access to capital, protecting farmland, stabilizing input supplies, accelerating innovation through more efficient regulation, expanding value-added processing, addressing labour shortages, and modernizing transportation and supply chain infrastructure through a whole-of-government approach. Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) – with respect to the upcoming 2026 review of Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, the priority for Canadian agriculture is a full 16-year renewal without reopening existing provisions, while preserving science-based rules, particularly SPS, biotechnology, and technical barrier provisions, strong dispute settlement, and predictable market access that support farmers, trade, and food security. Dedicated Agriculture and Agri-Food Infrastructure Funding Stream - to establish a dedicated agriculture and agri-food infrastructure stream within federal programming to improve access, coordination, and impact of national infrastructure projects for the agricultural sector. A persistent gap exists for mid-scale, regionally specific projects that fall between innovation programming and large-scale infrastructure programming. Key needs for agriculture include logistics corridors, processing and storage capacity, water and irrigation systems, energy infrastructure, and digital connectivity. Bill C-273, An Act to amend the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Seeds Act, the Pest Control Products Act and the Food and Drugs Act - with respect to the need to accelerate access to new tools and technologies by leveraging trusted jurisdictions' risk and science-based decisions to streamline approval timelines and use use mechanisms such as conditional approvals to bring safe, innovative products to market faster for the agricultural sector. Plant and Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Capacity - Calling on the Government of Canada to increase investment in prevention, surveillance, and response capacity for major plant and animal disease threats, including financial preparedness, international zoning agreements, coordinated federal-provincial-industry response plans, and updated regulatory frameworks, which would help producers maintain export market access, and ensure the resilience of Canada's food system. Expanded Eligibility for Farm Rollover Provisions - expanding farm rollover provisions to a broader range of family members, including nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and stepchildren, to reduce tax barriers to intergenerational farm transfers and sustain investment in the sector as Canada's farm population continues to age, while recognizing the multi-family nature of many farming operations in Canada Critical Farm Input Strategy - to establish a coordinated approach to ensuring Canadian farmers have reliable and timely access to essential inputs such as fertilizer, crop protection products, energy, and veterinary tools that are fundamental to food production, yet availability is increasingly vulnerable to supply chain volatility, geopolitical instability, and regulatory barriers. Tariffs on Critical Farm Inputs: Ensure critical farm inputs are not subject to any potential future countermeasures imposed by the Government of Canada in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. These products include, but are not limited to, certain fertilizer products, farm equipment and machinery, seed (including low erucic acid rape or colza seeds) as well as feed ingredients and veterinary products. Labour Disruptions: Launch consultations with industry representatives and implicated stakeholders to explore options to address the root causes of labour disruptions. Modernize labour laws to establish a clear, transparent, and expedited process for resolving

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.

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.

Ensuring Environment Canada Defends its science internationally in forums such as the Stockholm Convention

The Halifax Port Authority wishes to consult on government programs and policies that support Nova Scotia's ports and related infrastructure.

Seeking funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) – Net Zero Accelerator, under the Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) from Finance Canada, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and the Canada Growth Fund for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). The lobbying activities have been and will all be focused on the development and construction of a Cement CCUS project which will reduce GHGs emission. Seeking funding opportunities related to the $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, specifically the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and categories of Codes, Guides and Specifications for Climate-Resilient Public Infrastructure; Green Infrastructure Fund; Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Green Infrastructure Stream; Municipal Asset Management Program; and Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program. Lobbying activities will be focused on educating government officials in infrastructure and transportation on the opportunities and challenges with lower carbon concrete alternatives, and how codes, standards, specifications, and procurement policies can be designed to accelerate and incentivize uptake of low carbon concrete solutions for horizontal and vertical infrastructure.

Seeking government support for the campus relocation project.

Advocating for upholding Canada's commitments to international human rights. Advocating for the protection of freedom of religion in Canada and with respect to the reasonable accommodation of religious observances. Advocating for stronger legislation to address hate crime and online hate. Advocating for policy initiatives related to combating Islamophobia and discrimination; Supporting various programs to protect fundamental freedoms in Canada. Advocating for policies to enhance the security and safety of Canadian Muslim communities and other at-risk communities given the rise in hate crimes; countering supremacist violent extremist groups