Lydia MacKay

As per the Government of Canada's commitments related to children's health and well-being and the protection of their rights, the object of Children First Canada's lobbying is to build support for policies and investments that improve the lives of 8 million young Canadians.

As per Government of Canada commitments related to child well-being and safety, build a national movement to improve the lives of Canada’s children.

Communications about the review of the Lobbying Act, including the Commissioner of Lobbying’s recommendations to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. Discussion about the impact of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review on the Nonprofit sector Preparation for e-filing webinars for charities; Discussion about the Comprehensive Expenditure Review Supporting implementation of Senate Committee recommendations on the charitable sector. Addressing disruptions to donations due to postal strikes; tax credit timing adjustments. Advocating for financial relief and policy responses to emergencies and rising issues (e.g., tariffs). Inclusion of charities in SME-focused programs like Mitacs and BDC advisory services. Budget consultations re: charitable giving incentives, regulatory reforms, and program access. Bill S-222 and S-216: Amendments enabling partnerships with non-qualified donees. Support for the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience and digital skills development. Supporting sector-wide digital capacity and transformation. Advancing reform of the disbursement quota for registered charities. Improving access and equity in federal funding programs for nonprofits and charities. Strengthening workforce supports for paid and unpaid nonprofit labour. Supporting federal data collection (e.g., Satellite Account, national nonprofit surveys). Advocating for a federal “home” in government for the nonprofit sector. Building knowledge on the activities of the nonprofit sector.

Youth employment with respect to the Youth Employment Strategy and Canada Summer Jobs. Seeking funding to support front line workers in the charitable sector with mental health and burnout Seeking funding from the Public Health Agency for a food literacy program Seeking funding for mental health training for front line staff working with children and youth to better support youth mental health outcomes Seeking funding for impact evaluation for out of school programming for children and youth Seeking funding for before and after school programs for children, youth and families Seeking funding for a program that introduces young people to the science, technology, engineering, arts/design, and math fields. Federal budget with respect to investments in the social service sector, and programs for children and youth Child and youth mental health, with respect to prevention and early intervention Canadian government's policies and programs with respect to crime prevention and restorative justice for youth. Canada's policies and programs with respect to programs and supports for Indigenous children and youth. Advocate for the adoption of Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program, with respect to the implementation of a countrywide school food program Advocate for the adoption of Bill C-273, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Corinne’s Quest and the protection of children), in order to repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code Advocate for policies and programs concerning child and youth rights, including to prevent identity-based hate and corporal punishment Adoption and implementation of the Spirit Bear Plan

Explore potential funding opportunities from the Government of Canada. Compassion Canada participates as a valued voice federally in international development and humanitarian discussions.

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.

Charitable Sector Reform writ large. Includes engaging with government on necessary reform to enable the sector to flourish. Seeking non-monetary support from the Public Service in regards to the employee charitable giving campaign. Funding for community services and programs for children, youth, seniors, low income individuals, people seeking employment, newcomers, women and other community members. Budget with respect to: -investment in community services infrastructure -the community services labour force -housing and homelessness -mental health and other services -enabling measures for the work of charitable and nonprofit sector.

To identify how National Volunteer Week and the International Year of the Volunteer are important policy initiatives that strengthen the Canadian identity. To ensure that a National volunteer strategy, as outlined in the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector, is implemented. Seeking funding to strengthen volunteering in Canada and the development of a Volunteer Screening Centre.