Michelle Demery

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.

Communicating with ISED, regarding the receipt, allocation, and outcomes of funding received. Familiarizing Health Canada, ISED, and Members of Parliament about the work of the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute.

Work with the various government programs that support accessibility, inclusion, and a world without barriers, particularly in the built environment around an accessibility Certification Program which will assess and rate the built environment of Canada against a common standard (example Canadian Standards Association). Work with the Government of Canada to seek funding and support for RHF national initiatives designed to educate and engage Canadians about the importance of promoting accessibility, in coordination with National AccessAbility Week. Work with the Government of Canada to provide leadership in salmon and sturgeon conservation and related initiatives and research. Work with the Government of Canada to promote the Rick Hansen School Program to promote the adoption of this already existing program in every school in Canada. Work with Government of Canada to endorse and support the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program Program as the national standard to assess and certify the built environment. Communication with the Government of Canada, to keep them informed of the use and outcomes of their investment in spinal cord injury research, as well as the outcomes of any projects around which we collaborate in order to maintain funding and to seek future funding.

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.