Linda Cousineau

Science & Technology Strategy - promotion of enhanced measures to increase research in science and technology Indirect Costs Program - support for enhanced provisions Increased support for commercialization of university research results Federal Research Granting Councils and agencies funding of research, academic pursuits, and publication or dissemination Centres of Excellence - promotion of increased funding for establishment of Centres of Excellence in research Budget - promotion of increased funding of research and academic pursuites

Engagement related to federal programs and investments that support the development, testing, and adoption of advanced transportation and mobility technologies, including smart mobility, autonomous systems, and innovation test environments. This includes initiatives that contribute to economic development outcomes through enabling next-generation infrastructure, commercialization, and collaboration between industry and government. Supporting policies and programs that strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including entrepreneurship development and inclusive economic participation. Seeking additional funding support for emerging and advanced technologies, including programs that accelerate research, development, testing, validation, and commercialization. Supporting policies and programs that enhance global market access, foreign direct investment attraction, and international partnerships for Canadian companies, including collaboration with international innovation organizations and trade agencies. Focus on enabling Ottawa-based firms to expand globally, access capital and customers, and strengthen Canada’s position in competitive global innovation markets. Advancing inclusive, innovation-driven economic growth in Canada’s Capital through programs that strengthen the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, accelerate business formation and scale-up, and drive job creation, investment attraction, and long-term prosperity

Opportunity to discuss Ottawa L5 developments & rebranding. Meeting was intended to discuss the market launch and rebranding of Ottawa L5 in the fall – goal was to identify who to work with on Medding's staff and to secure a date. It is downstream of a Grant awarded by FedDev Ontario, the request for which occurred before the pandemic hit. *Note: we are not sure this qualifies as lobbying activity, but wanted to add it to the activity report in case it does. Detail Title: Small Business Agenda, Employment and Training • Opportunity for Invest Ottawa to Help the Government of Canada Help Displaced Workers, Create New Jobs and the Economy of the Future • Broader Measures Recommended to the Government of Canada to Address the Current Challenges Facing Canadian Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Companies Detail Title: Science and Technology Seeking additional funding support from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry for tech-based startups and entrepreneurs in the City of Ottawa Detail Title: International Trade Collaborating with European TIOs During Changing Working Conditions Detail Title: Economic Development Recommendations on support for the business community during COVID-19 crisis Recommended actions and investments during/post COVID-19

We engage with various elected and staff officials in the federal government on issues relevant to urban life, including the governance and financing of municipal governments. and specific federal funding and policies that affect urban life, including housing, mental health, economic development, small businesses, land use, infrastructure, urban planning and design, heritage, support for tourism and culture, immigration, skills development and employment, climate, and equity, the health of neighborhoods and downtowns as places. This has been particularly true during COVID.

Discussion of upskilling cyber security capabilities within the workforce of law enforcement to combat domestic and transnational crime. A conversation regarding AI-focused data centre infrastructure in Canada, including dedicated sovereign capacity, to retain economic value, strengthen domestic innovation capacity, and reinforce Canada’s position as a global AI leader. Introduction to the Rogers' Cybersecure Catalyst's mandate and scope of work across cybersecurity training, entrepreneurship, research, policy development, and public education for individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations of all sizes. Discussion to support robust government regulation to curb harmful content, with calls for measures addressing online harms such as removing child sexual abuse material, labelling AI-generated content, and increasing parental controls. Discussion regarding the development of an AI Intelligence Unit to supplement the work of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology Measurement Program (TechStat) Briefed about community based seniors services sector. Discussed Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements. Suggested amendments on Bill C-16 about coercive control to include non-intimate partner relationships (relatives and caregivers) to ensure equal protection for older adults. Email with an endorsed letter supporting TMU's National Institute on Aging's proposal for amending the Canadian Pension Plan to implement a Pension Delay Guarantee policy Conversation about TMU's Creative School and the implications of Artificial Intelligence and workforce development, SME adoption, applied research, and sector-wide innovation in the creative sector Conversation about TMU's National Institute on Aging's proposal for amending the Canadian Pension Plan to implement a Pension Delay Guarantee policy Discussion about the innovation economy, emerging technology, and business adoption with government leaders as part of the Innovative Economy table with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Discussion of National Cyber Strategy and its integration with specific needs for small and medium businesses related to workforce development Discussion of cyber capacity building in Indo-Pacific Region and Latin America Conversation about innovation in housing as a follow-up to funding that was received from Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario for the Centre for Housing Innovation Conversation regarding the development and adaption dual-use technology Conversation about IP Clinic Program, specifically regarding client and student experiences within the program and about Canada’s IP landscape. Conversation with FedDev ON to discuss a funding proposal for building national defence capacity and a discussion about programming to include supporting ON based SMBs to position themselves to sell into Canadian defence supply chains Discussion to introduce the Diversity Institute and it's work to the policy team at WAGE Conversation about the Industrial Research Program with the new advisor to help with advice, connections, and to help with Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity. Discussion about a potential project at TMU's School of Engineering Discussing artificial intelligence, adoption, and impacts on workforce skills/labour market. Conversation about veteran transition and mental health initiatives that the university offers Conversation about financial literacy and tax education research Conversation about arctic and northern community research Conversation about workforce development to drive innovation and collaboration in the labour market by developing digital solutions and fostering partnerships that enhance connectivity and inclusivity and creating Northern Ontario partnerships Conversation about the modernization of student financial aid and digital inclusion Discussion about school of medicine and health force expansion Conversation around capital funding and student housing Conversation about primar

To raise awareness about how FedDev's funding fails to prioritize the need for support to commercialize innovative medical equipment for use in clinical settings. Raise awareness about gaps in HPV screening at the provincial and territorial levels and about the existing medical equipment supply chain gaps.

To discuss administrative issues related to existing FedDev funding and to educate decision makers about potential future expenditures. To raise awareness about how FedDev's funding fails to prioritize the need for support to commercialize innovative medical equipment for use in clinical settings. To educate the federal government and advocate for ensuring proper testing controls are financially supported for a future H5N1 pandemic. Raise awareness about how ineffective government policies and red tape are limiting innovation among Canada's medical equipment manufacturers. Raise awareness about gaps in HPV screening at the provincial and territorial levels and about the existing medical equipment supply chain gaps.

Seek financial supports from FedDev Ontario as it related to industrial supports. Trade Policy -- Possible new policies or regulations, and international negotiations, affecting Canada's international trade regime and consequences for the steel industry. Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) -- procedures and information on administration of the SIMA in respect of the application of trade remedy measures available to Canadian producers; implementation and procedures for the Administrative Tribunals Support Services Canada agency; Canadian International Trade Tribunal advisory committee and similar entitities. North American Steel Trade Committee -- Government policies and programs in relation to international steel trade and measures to improve the competitiveness of the domestic steel industry, principally Canada's trade rules under the World Trade Organization and the NAFTA. Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) -- Understanding program objective to help bolster the competitiveness of Canadian steel producers and supply chain as well as funding parameters and criteria for application process.

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

Discussions around Alignment with Talent Retention and Acquisition. Leverage experience in the team to create new job opportunities in Canada. Discussions around launch licences and export controls. Leverage Government of Canada investment in capital-intensive activities leading to economic growth and innovation. Develop tech in Canada for dual-use and commercial activities. Contribute to global responsive sovereign missions and open new commercial markets for Canadian tech companies Positioning Canadian technology for future dual use technologies.

Coco Bakery is pursuing project funding under the Business Scale-Up and Productivity Program. The funding will be used to acquire new machinery and equipment at their plant to increase productivity and expand their business into new markets.

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.