Michael Assad

Arranging meetings to advocate for research and infrastructure support, and to increase awareness of the client's research capabilities.

Advocating for faster processing of student immigration applications. Arranging meetings to advocate for research and infrastructure support and to increase awareness of the client's research capabilities, and government support for university-led innovation and commercialization. Communication with regards to the role of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and public universities in the emerging federal innovation agenda and how UNB can get funding. Sources of funding are to be determined. Communication with regards to the role of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and public universities in the emerging federal innovation agenda. Communication with federal government with regards to ongoing status of National Research Council Canada.

Communication with regards to the role of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and public universities in the emerging federal innovation agenda and how UNB can get funding. Sources of funding are to be determined. Communication with regards to the role of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and public universities in the emerging federal innovation agenda. Communication with federal government with regards to ongoing status of National Research Council Canada.

Advocating for faster processing of student immigration applications Arranging meetings to advocate for research and infrastructure support and to increase awareness of the client's research capabilities, and government support for university-led innovation and commercialization.

Policy and program recommendations regarding the government's priorities in delivering major transportation projects. Communications with public office holders regarding provision of consulting and operational services (solutions) for transportation infrastructure projects. Communications with public office holders regarding funding programs which support infrastructure projects, research and development and training, and economic opportunities in the transportation and rail space.

Appreciation for skilled trades funding announcement and need to direct funding towards post-secondary facilities and equipment to maintain and increase capacity for workforce development as well as expanding federal funding for skilled trades beyond Red Seal certified trades into trades covered by Transport Canada certification. Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Youth Issues Challenges with policy changes and procedural issues related to the International Student program Engaging with the Workforce Alliance for Transportation and Supply?Chains?to ensure we are collaborating to meet the needs of the marine and other transportation sectors Workforce development needs in the transportation sector and their critical role in the construction sector’s success. Sharing pre-budget submission from our sector associations and asking for support with the identified recommendations BCIT’s role in the marine sector and some of the current challenges we are facing with advancing our marine training offerings Potential alignment with Japan in areas such as secure and resilient infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, aerospace, autonomous systems, marine technologies, disaster resilience, and talent development to be discussed with participants of the Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan. BCIT's contribution to Canada’s defence industrial base through applied research, workforce development, advanced technology training, and partnership development with industry, government, and international partners. Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy review Expanding DigiToST, an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research lab, for social good, bringing together education, applied research, industry, digital innovation, and health. Proposed mixed-used project for submission to the Build Communities Strong Fund that BCIT is exploring in collaboration with the City of Burnaby. Supporting equity in trades training and apprenticeships Applied research and training in AI, digitial innovation, and applications for emergency management and early wildfire detection. Expansion of the UTIP funding to include opportunities for post-secondary institutes to apply for funds to renovate and modernize trades training spaces on campuses. Funding received from Public Safety Canada and potential future news release. Training programs to support Indigenous youth to use AI as a tool to support career growth. Challenges surrounding AI and how to keep ahead of the ever changing and evolving landscape of AI; skills training to support AI and how organizations need to develop guiding principles to be responsible AI users for integration into business. BCIT's Trades Discovery Program and the challenges that women face in trades careers. Financial sustainability of BCIT and revenue diversification opportunities Appreciation for previous UTIP funding and input for future opportunities for UTIP funding to support trades training. BCIT's support of industry and SMEs through research and innovation to develop commercially relevant technologies, products and services. BCIT's global Opportunities including export of technical training, consulting, applied research, and product development services. Opportunities for BCIT to participate as an educational partner in GOC trade missions. Global opportunities for transnational and international education and international student recruitment. Marine Innovation Simulation Centre of Excellence educational research project and workforce development needs connected to the marine sector. Importance of investing in trades training at public post-secondary institutions in addition to funding union-delivered training BCIT as an employer of immigrants BCIT's role in training and educating students in clean energy construction and power engineering Defence funding through ITB policy and its support of post-secondary education and research Supports for apprentices to meet Canada's major projects development. Need to

Discussions regarding the application of the Impact Assessment Act to nuclear projects, and the promotion of regulatory effectiveness and efficiency. Discussions regarding the role of nuclear energy in Canada’s climate change policy, including efforts to promote investment in nuclear energy. Advocating for federal support (financial, regulatory and policy) to develop and deploy large/small nuclear and fuel initiatives. International Trade of nuclear technology with respect to nuclear cooperation.

Télécommunications: discussions sur la Loi sur les Télécommunications (L.C. 1993, ch. 38) en ce qui concerne le cadre qui devrait guider le gouvernement dans l'éventualité d'une révision de la loi. Radiodiffusion: discussions sur la Loi sur la radiodiffusion (L.C.1991, c.11) en ce qui concerne le cadre qui devrait guider le gouvernement dans l'éventualité d'une révision de la loi. Politiques et réglementations en matière de spectre et de télécommunications, y compris les politiques et réglementations relatives aux interférences transfrontalières, aux réseaux sans fil 5G, aux interconnexions, à l'itinérance sans fil, à la mise aux enchères du spectre et aux stratégies économiques numériques Politiques et réglementations en matière de large bande, y compris les politiques et réglementations relatives au déploiement de la large bande en milieu rural, à la mesure des performances de l'internet, à la dynamique concurrentielle de la large bande, à la disponibilité de l'accès à l'internet en gros et à la disponibilité de l'internet à un prix abordable Impôts et Finances: Discussions sur le transfert intergénérationnel d'entreprise à contrôle familial Électrification des véhicules: Discussion avec les cabinets ministériels et les ministères au sujet de l’électrification de la flotte de véhicules de la compagnie Droit d'auteur: discussions sur la Loi sur le droit d'auteur (L.R.C. (1985), ch. C-42) en ce qui concerne le cadre qui devrait guider le gouvernement dans l'éventualité d'une révision de la loi.

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is engaging with government officials to discuss the alignment between CCI’s priorities and the federal government’s efforts to foster innovation in Canada. These discussions focus on ensuring that government programs and policies effectively support high-growth Canadian technology firms and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem. Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy: advocacy was focused on bringing domestic firms into the value chain through policies and measures that provide equal opportunity for Canadian Head Quartered companies. Discussion on the intangible economy, SR&ED, and economic growth as it relates to domestic expenditures for intellectual property filing, as well as a focus on small and medium-sized companies. US Trade - discussed Tariffs and handling of Canada US Mexico Trade Agreement. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Small Business and Tourism, Changes to Canadian Export Program (CanExport) so it allows more technology companies to apply Procurement – Changes to Request for Proposal (RFP) process to break down large bundles into smaller amounts for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) can apply Health Canada: advocate for an increase of resources for Therapeutics Canada for them to speed up processing times and efficiencies within their department; create working groups and framework with industry leaders and health Canada on digital and data health, and create a therapeutics working group with industry and health Canada. Finance – Changes to Scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentive program to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to further increase the maximum a SME can apply for Export Development Canada (EDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Environment and Climate Change Canada, give input and feedback on the PanCanada Framework, Canada-China agreement for scientific and technological cooperation, and the relationship between Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emitters & CO2 Reducers. Our focus is on involving Canadian high-growth firms in the policies and programs the government is working on regarding climate change and the greening of government. Discussions on international trade, specifically on the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to data localisation, labour mobility and tariffs. Defence & Security: advocate for a domestic-focused cybersecurity ecosystem that has Canadian companies at the centre of a national cybersecurity defence policy. Citizenship and immigration – Change the current work visa time lines, seek changes to the the Labour Market Impact Assessment for expatiating and a faster process Changes to Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to Increase the maximum amount a SME can apply for Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - changes to (scientific research and experimental development) SR&ED program with how it is administered and reviewed. Discussed companies SR&ED claims and issues with their processing. Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy.

Economic development of the Arctic region with respect to transportation and dual-use infrastructure to meet Canada's defence requirements in the North. Potential purchase and deployment of the company's technologies, including the company's dual-use, persistent Arctic sensing systems Potential contributions of Canadian-controlled defense companies to Canadian sovereignty and economic prosperity Implementation parameters of the recently announced Defense Industrial Strategy

Federal Fleet Services Inc. is engaging with federal public office holders regarding the renewal and continuation of the CSS Asterix service contract with the Government of Canada, and to advance discussions on expanding the Asterix capability framework as a scalable model for NATO-aligned and allied defence markets, including matters related to naval sustainment, interoperability, allied logistics, and Canada’s contribution to collective maritime defence objectives.

Relating to the Federal commitment to develop regulations, policies and programs to support implementation of the National Strategy for an Electrified Canadian Economy Investment tax credit proposals, with respect to incentives for certain types of renewable and clean energy technologies, including energy storage, hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). With regard to policies, regulations and programs with respect to potential US tariffs on Canada/US trade. Clean Electricity Regulations, with respect to the overall development of the regulations and compliance mechanisms. Seeking to generate awareness and support of the role of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and related infrastructure to drive global emissions reductions and support economic development in Canada. Raising awareness and providing information to decision makers on energy policy and of the need to improve regulatory efficiency. Excessive interest and financing expenses limitation (EIFEL), with respect to a potential exemption for regulated utilities from proposed changes to interest deductibility limits. Discuss development of greenhouse gas emissions regulations for the utility sector Advocating to ensure the development of energy policy in Canada is based on energy, economic and environment principles. Advocating for the importance of renewable gases to meet federal climate goals and for policy and program support. Advocating for the expansion of existing energy programs to include programs and policy that support utility energy efficiency programs and technology and innovation. Advocating for support to expand energy transmission and distribution infrastructure, support transportation and trade infrastructure and renewable energy development. Advocating for program support for natural gas vehicles and raising awareness of the merits of natural gas vehicles. Advocating for approaches to the federal Clean Fuel Standard that sees the cost-effective deployment of low-carbon solutions from gas & electric utilities

Supporting the development and implementation of policies, programs, and regulatory measures aimed at preventing and combating fraud, scams, and financial crime, including measures that enhance information sharing, consumer protection, and the integrity of Canada’s financial system. Supporting an open and competitive technology environment for mobile payments to maximise consumer choice and strengthen Canada’s participation in the digital economy. Promoting the recognition and adoption of modern digital payments infrastructure as a foundation for Canada’s economic resilience and innovation Supporting the development and adoption of secure, convenient digital verification and authentication solutions to enhance consumer protection and confidence in Canada’s digital economy. Tax Regulations, with respect to a prescribed payment card corporation share Policies, rules and codes that affect the payments system and payment networks