Michael Sousa

Bill S-211, National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting Act, with respect to gambling advertising regulation in Canada Meetings with federal government will discuss the enactment of legislation to protect Canadians from illegal operators ongoing operations of illegal gambling websites within Canada and to discuss the role of the provincial gaming authorities.

The Consumer Driven Banking Act and related regulations as it applies to banks The federal government’s framework for stablecoins and digital assets Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act as it relates to banks and the administration of the deposit insurance framework Federal government programs and policies related to Artificial Intelligence regulation Housing finance framework, including reforms to expand housing supply, mortgage underwriting regulations and covered bonds Financial institutions with respect to Canada/US relationship and trade policy Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions guidelines with respect to capital, liquidity, and non-financial risk The Canadian Payments Act, as it relates to management of Canada’s payment system and payments modernization The modernization of the supervisory framework for financial institutions as it relates to the responsibility for administering prudential and consumer measures Requirements for financial institutions as they relate to corporate governance rules under the Bank Act Promotion of the importance of a competitive financial sector in achieving improved economic development in Canadian regions Providing inputs with respect to capital requirements as they relate to Basel III and lending for businesses Official languages policy as it relates to financial services. Federal government programs and policies supporting growth for small businesses Federal government programs and policies respecting financing for infrastructure projects Federal government programs and policies on employment and training as they pertain to financial institutions Federal government programs and policies respecting consumers as they pertain to relationships with financial institutions Federal government programs respecting financing for the agriculture industry Federal government programs respecting financial services for Indigenous communities The Bank Act and the National Housing Act as they relate to potential measures affecting housing affordability and lending Promotion of resources to support mental health and well-being of Canadians Promotion of financial services available to finance Canadian infrastructure development; sharing of international best practices with respect to infrastructure policy, particularly in terms of options for project financing arrangements Privacy legislation and acts with respect to the banking industry’s collection, use and protection of personal information Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions Guidelines regarding accounting rules regulating financial institutions Income Tax Act with respect to corporate income tax, capital tax, international taxation, personal taxation, and registered saving products Impact of federal national security policy as it relates to the banking sector Financial services policy with respect to study of retirement income security Federal government programs and policies to combat financial crimes Federal government programs and policies related to sustainability, natural resources and climate change in support of achieving net zero targets Federal government position with regard to ongoing discussions on international financial regulation reform, as it pertains to Canadian banks Federal government policies affecting Canada’s payment systems as well as access to financial data Bank Act with respect to its impact on financial sector

INTERNATIONAL TRADE: Legislative proposals, regulations, policies or programs related to Canada's international trading and investment relationship with foreign markets. WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: Input to federal deliberations regarding international negotiations to implement the Doha Round of trade liberalization U.N. CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: Input to federal deliberations on ongoing international negotiations respecting the Convention, as well as decisions about implementation of Convention provisions in Canada TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP: Input to federal consultations re Canada's entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership; and consideration of Canadian interests with respect to increasing economic ties with several nations of the Asia-Pacific, including trade in goods and services, foreign investment protections, intellectual property, immigration, labour mobility, etc. TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY: Federal policy and rules related to provision of telecommunications services in Canada, including competition among service providers, access to wireless spectrum, ownership and foreign investment, and access by new entrants SECURITY AND PROSPERITY IN NORTH AMERICA, with respect to rules governing the flow of goods, services and people across the border; cooperation among agencies in the three countries to streamline and harmonize rules and regulations governing the conduct of business; policies to enhance energy trade and energy security SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY: Input regarding policies that can support research and development of new science and technology and the broader adaptation of advanced technologies across the Canadian economy PUBLIC SERVICE: Rules and regulations governing the conduct of public servants in their relations with corporations and business associations, processes for consulting with business on the impact of new laws and regulations governing the conduct of business in Canada POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: Rules governing federal-provincial financing arrangements for post-secondary education; and development of acceptable national standards for graduate degrees in various disciplines PARLIAMENTARY REFORM: Input regarding changes to rules governing Parliament; Senate reform NORTH AMERICAN LEADERS' SUMMIT: Input to the federal government regarding policy priorities for the annual summit of the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: Amendments, sub-agreements and regulations governing trade relations between Canada, the United States and Mexico; with respect to the enhanced trade in goods and services, regulation of investment between countries, admittance of qualified immigrants and recognition of professional credentials for employment purposes NORTH AMERICAN DEFENCE: Input regarding the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and other means to enhance collaboration among governments regading defence of the North American continent NORTH AMERICAN COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION: Input to federal deliberations regarding possible enhancement and coordination of environmental standards among Canada, the United States and Mexico NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY: Input regarding policies that Canada's national security policies and regulations impacting the private sector. NATIONAL SECURITIES REGULATOR: Supporting efforts by the federal government to work with the provinces and establish a single national regulatory authority for the regulation of corporations which issues shares to the public LOBBYING ACT: Regulations governing the conduct of lobbyists and their relations with the federal government with respect to the rules regarding communications and meetings between senior public office holders and corporations and organizational lobbyists INVESTMENT CANADA ACT: Regulations and policies with respect to the foreign ownership of Canadian companies; takeovers of Canadian companies by foreign corporations or state entities, thresholds that trigger review

Strengthening Indigenous governance of child welfare via the full implementation of C-92, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families Increase funding for operations and maintenance of housing Increasing funding to provide legal aid in Inuvialuit Devolution of land administration for all lands in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region Oppose the extension of the 2016 moratorium on new offshore oil and gas exploration in the Canadian Arctic

Monitor implementation of Payment Card Networks Act with regard to debit and credit cards and other ecosystem developments. Monitor implementation of and compliance with the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Industry in Canada. Monitor developments to immigration policy as it relates to skilled labour. Monitor developments the Payment Card Networks Act with respect to payment card network operators, and any other legislation seeking to amend that Act. Monitor developments relating to the Voluntary Interchange Commitment and other initiatives related to cost of acceptance. Monitor developments relating to international trade discussions, including the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement and WTO reform with respect to data flows and electronic payments. Monitor developments relating to government-supported tree planting programs, Monitor developments relating to Bill C-331 An Act to amend the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act (duty of candour) Monitor developments regarding Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act and regulations with respect to credit card accounts and prepaid. Monitor developments regarding breach tracking and reporting regulations under, and review of, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Monitor developments associated with global humanitarian aid efforts with respect to financial inclusion and electronification of aid and exploring opportunities for private-public sector partnerships in administering aid. Monitor developments and opportunities regarding greater government use of electronic payments. Seek opportunities for greater usage of products and services by federal government. Monitor development of the Retail Payments Oversight Framework/RPAA with respect to regulation of payment networks. Monitor development of the Government’s innovation agenda with respect to the digital economy and Digital ID. Monitor development of the Digital Charter (Bill C-27) with respect to payments and data. Monitor development of regulations pursuant to the Bank Act with respect to credit card issuer practices. Monitor development of Open Banking consultations and studies. Monitor development of Faster Payments initiatives as the government moves toward payments modernization. Monitor development of cybersecurity policies with respect to payments. Monitor deployments relating to oversight of cryptocurrency. Monitor Bank Act policies with respect to prepaid cards.

Meetings with federal government will discuss the enactment of legislation to protect Canadians from illegal operators ongoing operations of illegal gambling websites within Canada and to discuss the role of the provincial gaming authorities.

Working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to improve visa processing times, the Study Direct Stream program, and lower refusal rates for international students accepted to Canadian universities Lobbying to maintain fair dealing for education. Lobbying for an explicit exception for charities, not-for-profits and/or educational institutions to Canada’s Anti-Spam Law (CASL). Increased supports for Indigenous students seeking to access post-secondary education. Harmonization of immigration policies with regard to the improvement of study and work permit processing to identify areas where policies and procedures could be strengthened. Engaging with reviews of existing legislation covering charities to clarify how they apply to educational institutions. Engage with Statistics Canada regarding postsecondary education and research data collection and analysis with particular attention to the University and College Academic Staff System survey and labour market information. Engage with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada regarding the role of universities in supporting innovation through the full suite of innovation initiatives (eg. Superclusters, economic sector tables, Innovation Canada, knowledge mobilization, digital research infrastructure etc.) Engage with Global Affairs Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and ESDC on the implementation of the government’s International Education Strategy – including the targeting and recruitment of international students and the design of the outbound student mobility program for Canadian students to study abroad. Engage with Department of Status of Women and Statistics Canada regarding data collection and policies/frameworks regarding student safety on campus. Discussions with Employment and Social Development Canada concerning international student mobility and internship programs. Discussions concerning federal budget priorities. Priority topics include: federal government's support for university research through the federal granting agencies and other government programs; support for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows; changes to the Canada Research Chairs program; university infrastructure; international research collaboration; knowledge mobilization; equity diversity and inclusion; cybersecurity; and expanding university education opportunities for Indigenous Canadians. Discuss effective strategies and programs to support student transition to the work place and access to upskilling and reskilling programs for mid-career Canadians with Employment and Social Development Canada, including the Student Work-Integrated Learning Program (SWILP) and the Canada Training Benefit.