Michael Strong

Federal role in the health system as it relates to funding, the use of federal spending power, and pan-Canadian priorities, including in the areas of physical and digital infrastructure, health workforce, immigration, aging, older adult care, child and youth health, mental health and substance use, palliative care, cybersecurity, Indigenous health, environment, and data. Advancing Canada’s health research and innovation agenda as it relates to funding, policy and program design, and regulatory matters, including in the areas of clinical trials and development of innovative medical treatments.

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.

Communicating to Members of Parliament and Senate, federal departments and agencies a long term and comprehensive view of the role of research and post-secondary education as it relates to agriculture, food and nutrition, animals and health, in the growth of economic and societal wealth of Canada. Identification of critical infrastructure for food safety, security, sustainability and sovereignty, and public health related to nutrition, disease surveillance and prevention. Provide advice to federal departments and agencies regarding Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Medicine policies and priorities, and in particular Agricultural, Food and Veterinary Medicine policies and priorities related to skills development and capacity, funding and partnerships in scientific research and the technology transfer / extension to users of the research findings. Advice on regulations in related subjects. Communicating with public office holders in the areas of research funding priorities, funding cycles, processes and results; and skills and HQP (highly qualified personnel) needs for governments, industry and academia. Collaboration among Science and Technology and Policy Branches, and Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Medicine faculties of member universities, regarding the development and implementation of research clusters of federal and university organizations. Collaborating with Federal Government on strengthening Canadian universities arrangements with universities abroad

Obtain contributions for the development of McGill institutes and schools Obtain contributions for inter-sectoral, inter-disciplinary and international partnerships Obtain contributions for a wide array of non-peer reviewed academic, research, and partnership initiatives Discussions with federal officials to improve Canada's immigration policies and procedures Discussions with federal officials to encourage the development of a public policy framework that responds to the needs of post-secondary education and research Discussions with federal officials to advocate for increased support to the base budgets of the three granting councils, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and Genome Canada Discussions with federal officials to advocate for increased funding for the institutional costs of research Discussions with federal officials regarding campus infrastructure and deferred maintenance issues Discussions regarding science, technology and innovation policy frameworks with a view to enhancing Canada's research and innovation capacity Discussions aimed at putting the framework in place to make Canada a top destination for work and study by the best and brightest around the world Communications with federal officials to advocate for increased federal investment in scholarships for graduate students

Innovation policy and programming related to Mitacs domestic and international activity, including the Mitacs Globalink program and efforts to attract top talent and researchers to Canada. Funding to support ongoing growth in work-integrated learning collaborations between industry and academia in relation to Mitacs programs. Funding and policy development to support industry-academic research and development partnerships, commercialization, job creation, training and professional skills development for post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows, international research collaborations and the promotion of activities that support innovation in Canada.

Discuss post-secondary institutions' role in agriculture and food innovations through education and research. Tri-council grant programs (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research), and Canada Foundation for Innovation, with respect to research funding Post-secondary education policies, with respect to knowledge capacity development Policies of Canada Revenue Agency, with respect to tax measures to further philanthropic support of public postsecondary institutions Millennium Scholarships, Canada Student Loans Program, with respect to maintenance/enhancement of student assistance programs Health Canada and Canada Food Inspection Agency research and programs with respect to food safety Global Affairs Canada, with respect to international development and research; as well as funding support for refugee students

Meet with various members of parliament and the senior officials of the federal bureaucracy to discuss various policy and legislative issues impacting the University of Regina. Start-up funding for proposed Institut français Baccalaureate programs in Minority Situations. Seek partnership and consultation with Sustainable Development Technology Canada (Environment and Natural Resources Canada) regarding transferring products of university technologies into the marketplace. Seek increased funding for the Indirect Costs of a Research Program in order to maintain an internationally competitive research and development infrastructure. Seek funding assistance for University of Regina's energy and environment institutes from the National Research Council, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, PrairiesCan, the Office of Energy Research & Development (Natural Resources Canada). Policy development regarding knowledge transfer and the commercialization of research. Policy development and research funding for innovative and sustainable energy resources. Policies and programs to advance research and development for the commercialization and globalization of university initiatives. Indian Studies Support Program Applications through the University of Regina for the First Nations University of Canada. Funding for university-community projects, in conjunction with the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise and/or other francophone community organizations. Funding for proposed Institut français research chairs on alternatives for community development. Funding for policies and programs to advance research and development for the commercialization and globalization of university initiatives. Funding for conferences, seminars and other academic initiatives. Funding for carbon capture and storage initiatives. Federal Research Granting Councils (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR): 1) Communication with various public office holders to inquire on the status of grants and to propose a wide array of academic research projects; and 2) Communications to various public office holders to advocate for continued and increased granting council funding. Discussions regarding possible research and development initiatives for, and investments in, partnerships with the University of Regina Discussions regarding possible research and development initiatives and investments that foster Western Canadian research networks. Creation of new immigration regulations with respect to helping universities attract foreign students and facilitating their arrival in Canada. Contributions to the operating budget of the Institut français. Canadian Conference of the Arts with respect to maintaining arts and culture programs and research initiatives in Canada. Canada Research Chairs Program with respect to the creation and funding of new chairs.

Seek funding and support for the institution’s teaching, and research and development enterprise in life sciences, basic and applied sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts and mental health. Support for the implementation and operation of the Canada Water Agency Support for institutional compliance with federal research security requirements. Seek program development and support for Indigenous-led research Seeking program development for career opportunities for Indigenous post-secondary graduates Seeking greater efficiencies and continued funding of the Canada Student Loan Program Seek funding for international opportunities in student experience through academic exchanges, study abroad and international student visits to Canada Secure funding for Major Science Infrastructure Policy development and research funding for knowledge transfer and the commercialization of research Increase federal funding to the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program and other national initiatives in support of graduate students Funding for research and campus infrastructure Funding for internships, fellowships and student work-integrated learning Facilitation of improved policies that impact international students and other highly qualified personnel Discuss post-secondary institutions' role in securing Canada's water future through education and research. Discuss post-secondary institutions' role in securing Canada's energy future through research and teaching. Development of a national program for the provision of long-term operating funding for major science initiatives like the Canadian Light Source (CLS) and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) Continue and increase funding to the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) in order to maintain an internationally competitive research and development infrastructure. Continue and increase funding to the Indirect Costs of Research Program in order to maintain an internationally competitive research and development infrastructure Continue and increase funding to the Canada Foundation for Innovation in order to maintain an internationally competitive research and development infrastructure. Budget bills in support of the federal role in post-secondary education, research and the science and technology framework

Recherche de financement pour renforcer les programmes de recherche dans les secteurs innovants et ayant le potentiel de positionner le Canada comme leader. Enjeux concernant les procédures reliées aux visas pour les étudiants et chercheurs étrangers. Discussions sur les possibilités de financement pour les projets futurs d'infrastructures et d'entretien des infrastructures de l'Université de Montréal. Discussions sur les possibilités de financement pour le développement des écoles, instituts et centres de recherche de l'Université de Montréal. Discussions sur le financement des organismes subventionnaires ainsi que sur les coûts indirects de la recherche. Discussions concernant le processus d'admission pour les programmes de stages offerts aux étudiants de l'Université au sein de la fonction publique. Discussions concernant le financement des programmes de recherche et d'innovation afin d'augmenter les capacités à ce niveau. Budget fédéral annuel en ce qui concerne le support du gouvernement fédéral pour l'éducation post-secondaire et la recherche.