Luis Medina

MODERNIZE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT: The federal government’s procurement strategy is outdated, leaving little room for creative solutions and fair risk sharing. Contactors shouldering the majority of project risk is becoming an untenable model for many smaller companies who already navigate a long list of red tape and challenges. The reluctance to bid on federal projects because of this heightened risk is becoming a real issue and is impacting progress on public projects. With productivity issues on the rise, now is the time to modernize procurement practices. Innovative procurement and delivery methods can improve productivity, enable cost savings, and shorten the timeline for construction projects. To build the infrastructure needed across the country, federal procurement strategies need to adapt to account for long-term value and sustainability, promote the use of alternative delivery models, and support shared risk. BUILD THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE: The federal government has an ambitious growth plan – one that includes repairing, maintaining and retrofitting aging infrastructure while also building for future climate resilience. Construction now employs more people than ever before, yet our industry will need to fill hundreds of thousands of jobs in the next decade brought on by shifting demographics and a spate of retirements. The situation is even more acute as the construction sector is already dealing with decades of chronic challenges in recruiting qualified workers. Our industry is struggling to fill indispensable jobs nationwide that are essential to build the infrastructure needed to support Canada’s future growth. To achieve Canada’s infrastructure goals, the construction industry requires an equal partner in government to grow the labour force. INCREASE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT: CCA has been working to help shape a long-term plan for sustainable infrastructure investment. We need to move from quick fixes to a strategy that focuses on long-term solutions. More consultation and early engagement need to happen. The funds must be predictable, flow quickly, and be aligned with provincial, municipal, and Indigenous needs. Setting national goals around building sustainability into our infrastructure and promoting investments in trade-enabling infrastructure are just two of the significant opportunities for Canada. An investment in infrastructure is an investment in Canada’s growth economy and the health, safety and well-being of Canadians.

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)

Support for the hotel industry (taxation, marketing, workforce) Advocating for $10 million in funding annually over four years for the International Convention Attraction Fund to strengthen Canada’s ability to compete for high-value global events. Domestic workforce strategy, better alignment of youth employment programs with the hotel industry, connecting newcomers to hotel career Building a competitive investment climate through targeted fiscal measures to stimulate private sector investment in hotels Ensure the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is responsive to labour market needs Access to CMHC financing for mixed use hotel/housing developments, higher Capital Cost Allowance rate for staff housing Fraudulent Hotel Bookings through temporary resident visa applications Transportation - proposed new international bilateral air routes with Canada. Consideration of airport rents at formerly owned federal airports across Canada. Regulations and policies regarding fees to SOCAN and Re:Sound Engage with the Federal Government on proposed new or amended taxation laws with respect to short-term accommodations.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change-Kyoto protocol The Government of Canada is required to: prepare a Climate Change Plan; prepare a statement on GHG emissions; and ensure that Canada meets its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol The mission of the Green Budget Coalition is to present an analysis of the most pressing issues regarding environmental sustainability in Canada and to make a consolidated annual set of recommendations to the federal government regarding strategic fiscal and budgetary opportunities. Species at Risk Act The purposes of this Act are to prevent wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a result of human activity and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. Secured funding from Canadian International Development Agency Partnership Branch Funding for projects in the Americas Oceans Act WHEREAS Canada holds that conservation, based on an ecosystem approach, is of fundamental importance to maintaining biological diversity and productivity in the marine environment National Parks Act and Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act Maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity, through the protection of natural resources and natural processes, shall be the first priority of the Minister when considering all aspects of the management of parks and marine conservation areas. Migratory Bird Convention Act This Act and its complementary Regulations ensure the conservation of migratory bird populations by regulating potentially harmful human activities. Metal Mining Effluent Regulation Seeking regulatory change to strengthen processes by which the owner or operator of a mine can obtain the Government's approval to deposit a deleterious substance into a natural water body or a tailings impoundment area that is added to Schedule 2 of the Regulations. Great Lakes Fisheries Convention Act An Act to implement a Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between Canada and the United States Federal Marine Protected Areas sestablished under the Oceans Act to ensure the conservation and protection of species at risk and their habitats, the conservation and protection of unique habitats, and the conservation and protection of marine areas of high biodiversity or high biological productivity. Convention on Biodiversity To promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources Canadian Wildlife Act and Complimentary Regulations. The Act allows for the creation, management and protection of wildlife areas for wildlife research activities, or for conservation or interpretation of wildlife, seeking regulatory and legislative change to strengthen the prohibitions in the Act. Canadian Environmental Protection Act. CEPA regulates toxins and 'animate products of biotechnology'. We are seeking to ensure the Act adequately protects biodiversity from toxins and other harmful products. Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to ensure that projects are considered in a careful and precautionary manner before federal authorities take action in connection with them, in order to ensure that such projects do not cause significant adverse environmental effects

Advocacy on the creation of the Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC) Agency Contribution to the Government Public consultations on Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement to inform Canada’s priorities in preparation for the first joint review of CUSMA by Canada, the United States and Mexico in 2026 and ahead of Canada’s chairing of the 5th meeting of the CUSMA Free Trade Commission, in 2025. Advocacy on the proposed Regulations Amending the Patent Rules and Certain Regulations Made Under the Patent Act which were published for consultation in Canada Gazette Part I (CGI) on May 18, 2024.1 Share concerns with Canada’s implementation of a patent term adjustment (PTA) system that is not compliant with its trade obligations, as it does not provide a meaningful remedy to patentees who are impacted by unreasonable patent office delays. The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Innovation Agenda for the life sciences sector: policy or program initiatives to support life science research and development conducted in Canada and manufacturing capability. Regulations, policies and programs related to the reimbursement recommendations decision-making process and framework done by the Canadian Drug Agency as well as the review times and processes conducted by Health Canada for the purpose of obtaining a notice of compliance. Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations and the related proposed guidelines. Monitoring and engaging the Government and Parliamentarians on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP) motion related to the discloser on vaccine contracts Monitoring and engaging the Government and Parliamentarians on policies and programs related to Canada's life sciences & biomanufacturing strategy Monitoring and engaging on the Government’s commitment to create a national strategy for rare diseases; the Canadian Drug Agency; and C64, An Act to Implement pharmacare. Health Canada’s policies, program and guidelines related to the management, prevention, mitigation and notification of drug shortages Federal Public Drug Plans, with respect to the reimbursement of therapeutic products for Federal plan beneficiaries Engage the Federal Government on Health Canada’s Regulatory Innovation Agenda (Agile Licensing Modernization) to discuss opportunities for further harmonization; flexibility and predictability in the new regulatory framework being develop and its linkage to pillar 5 of the Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. Discussions on the procurement of a COVID19 vaccine and therapy Discussions around the World Trade Organization consideration of a TRIPS Patent Waiver and the World Health Organization pandemic treaty proposal Consider amendments to the Food and Drugs Act, or the Export and Imports Permits Act (Export Control List) or any other legislative and regulatory means in order to protect the Canadian supply of drugs in light of potential importation legislation in the United States. Advocacy to maintain and increase funding for the National Immunization Strategy and discussions on vaccine procurement.

Copyright Act: with respect to powers provided to the authorities of collectives

Copyright Act provisions relating to collective society administration of section 19 rights

Tuberculosis prevention and control in respect of enhanced programs for First Nations peoples and New Canadians. The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan in respect of the vaccination of Canadians and awareness for COPD and asthma patients. Regulations and/or amendments under the Tobacco Act, extend enhanced warning labels to all tobacco products, and control new forms of smoking and nicotine consumption, including water-pipes and e-cigarettes. All Aspects of tobacco control. Regulation of Cannabis with respect to protecting the lung health of Canadians, including second hand cannabis smoke and research on cannabis. Obtain increased funding for research into lung disease from the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health under the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, with a special focus on funding for clinical and translational research. Indoor air quality with respect to the development and implementation of programs to ensure improved indoor air quality in First Nations communities. Indoor air quality with respect to Income Tax Act for a radon mitigation rebate Health Canada's tobacco control program, including sustaining government funding levels, and implementation of effective programs and policies Hazardous Products Act, as it relates to the domestic use of asbestos Grants or contributions for the provision of technical assistance in the design and deployment of new respiratory health safety training programs. Drug cost relief for Canadians with respect to a new national program for catastrophic drug cost coverage. Chemicals Management Plan with respect to ensuring ongoing, adequate funding for the program to achieve reductions in outdoor and indoor toxic air pollutants. Canadian Tuberculosis Committee for Canadian strategies and priorities with respect to tuberculosis prevention and control. Amendments to the Tobacco Act with respect to increasing tobacco taxation and penalties for contraband cigarettes (formerly known as Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts). Amendments to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) with regards to air pollutants. Amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act with respect to increasing federal environmental enforcement powers to ensure better air quality. Amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act in respect of developing a nation-wide Air Quality Management System for Canada to improve air quality. Amendments to the Canada Wide Standard (CWS) for particulate matter and ozone pertaining to wood-burning stoves. Amendments to the Canada Transportation Act with respect to controlling the carriage of pets in airplane passenger cabins to protect the health and safety of individuals with chronic lung disease. Air Quality Management System (AQMS) in respect of approval for the final development and implementation of the proposed system with full involvement of stakeholders. Air Quality Health Index with respect to ensuring the Index is active in every province and major community across Canada.