Mira Karshan

Providing industry input to Senators on Bill S-202 and its proposed alcohol health warnings, focusing on scientific accuracy, consumer impacts, and economic considerations. Monitoring and engaging on labour, trade, and supply chain issues affecting beverage alcohol. General discussions related to health policy developments of importance to the spirits sector. Advocating for the continued protection and enforcement of the term “Rye” under the Canada–EU Agreement, ensuring that products labeled as Rye whisky in the EU are made in Canada. Engaging with the Government of Canada and relevant departments to discuss the impact of Canada-US tariffs on Canadian spirits in light of the new U.S. administration. Address the exclusion of spirits from the temporary tax exemption measures announced for the period of 14 December 2024 to 14 February 2025.

Advocating for the continued protection and enforcement of the term “Rye” under the Canada–EU Agreement, ensuring that products labeled as Rye whisky in the EU are made in Canada. Engaging with the Government of Canada and relevant departments to discuss the impact of Canada-US tariffs on Canadian spirits in light of the new U.S. administration. Working with the Department of Finance to limit the escalator on Excise taxes for alcoholic beverages to 2% for 2 years Federal budget, taxation and or regulation of distilled spirits. Food and drugs act, excise tax 2001 as they pertain to the regulation and taxation of spirits. Consumer packaging and labeling act as they pertain to labeling requirements for spirits. Working with the Department of Health to assure that safe drinking standards are based in science. International trade: specifically, as at impacts both importers and exporters of spirits in Canada and internationally. Internal trade: specifically, encouraging the adoption of policies that support local producers across Canada to get their products more easily to consumers in other provinces. Food and drug regulations as they pertain to the production of spirits. Excise regulations as they pertain to the taxation of spirits.

General discussions related to health policy developments of importance to the spirits sector. Advocating for the continued protection and enforcement of the term “Rye” under the Canada–EU Agreement, ensuring that products labeled as Rye whisky in the EU are made in Canada. Engaging with the Government of Canada and relevant departments to discuss the impact of Canada-US tariffs on Canadian spirits in light of the new U.S. administration. Address the exclusion of spirits from the temporary tax exemption measures announced for the period of 14 December 2024 to 14 February 2025.

Federal funding programs, investment tax credits, policy and regulatory improvements aimed at supporting research & development, innovation, decarbonization, productivity, and expansion of mining activities within the mining sector under various Government programs and frameworks.

Policy and regulatory improvements aimed at supporting research & development, innovation, decarbonization, productivity, and expansion of mining activities within the mining sector under various Government programs and frameworks. Trade Canadian trade relations with respect to implementation of Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU, CUSMA, Indo-Pacific strategy, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations between Canada and Indonesia Pursuing opportunities for partnership under the Strategic Innovation Fund and other programs to promote innovation to meet Canada's climate change commitments Export Reporting: Export Reporting requirements of Canadian Nuclear Safety Commissions, Canadian Border Services Agency and Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with respect to the shipment of Nickel Powder Environmental Impact Asessment: Long Harbour Commercial Processing Plant in Newfoundland Eligibility criteria for activities related to mining under the federal clean technology manufacturing investment tax credit regime contained in the Budget Implementation Act, 2024. Canadian Environmental Protection Act: Regulatory Framework for regulating greenhouse gas emissions by Large Final Emitters; and air pollutants

Policies and regulations on cosmetics, natural health products, and over-the-counter drugs as they relate to regulatory modernization and the development of guidelines relating to the manufacturing, packaging, labelling, advertising, sale, exportation and importation of these products. Ensuring alignment with proposed regulations and policies dealing with plastics and all other ingredients used in cosmetics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. International trade agreements, with a focus on the 2026 CUSMA renegotiation, as they relate to promoting regulatory harmonization across trading partners.

Ensuring alignment with proposed regulations and policies dealing with plastics and all other ingredients used in cosmetics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. International trade agreements, with a focus on the 2026 CUSMA renegotiation, as they relate to promoting regulatory harmonization across trading partners. Policies and regulations on cosmetics, natural health products, and over-the-counter drugs as they relate to regulatory modernization and the development of guidelines relating to the manufacturing, packaging, labelling, advertising, sale, exportation and importation of these products.

Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-8 (An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts). Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-22 (An Act respecting lawful access) Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill formerly known as C-27 (Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022), more specifically the creation of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-2 (An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures). Work with government to promote and support Canada’s digital economy, including ensuring the availability of a high-skilled tech workforce. Seeking to influence policy direction related to cloud based services. Seeking government contract with multiple government departments and institutions with regards to Amazon Cloud based solutions and related support services.

General updates on exploration activities in Canada Support for work done in support of indigenous partners Potential engagement in support of securing rail access to port Lobbying in support of National Trade Corridor Fund and Strategic Innovation Fund applications General updates on the progress of BHP Potash Developments Exploration of low emissions energy options for BHP Canada developments or projects Engagement in support of the development of potash export facility

CFIB supports the principle behind the Canada Jobs Grant but encourages flexibility in its implementation and consideration of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)' needs. For example, introducing a permanent refundable tax credits for co-op and internship hires and reducing red tape from programs like Canada Summer Jobs to make it easier for small businesses to continue hiring youth. Advocating on behalf of small and medium-sized businesses to facilitate trade between Canada and other countries (CAN-US tariffs, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Chinese tariffs). Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shares its suggestions for Budget 2026 focusing on: reducing the small business tax rate from 9% to 6% and increasing the small business deduction (SBD) threshold to $700,000 and index it to inflation going forward. Canada is experiencing an “entrepreneurial drought”: a sustained period where business closures consistently outpace new business starts, leading to a shrinking entrepreneurial base and declining confidence in entrepreneurship. CFIB recommends that reversing this trend should be treated as a national economic priority. Sharing small businesses' views on Labour Code changes, impact on small businesses and the need to ensure the fluidity of the supply chain. Sharing survey results on improving CFIA customer service to encourage the review of their operations to better meet the needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) - reducing red tape and facilitating food mobility within Canada. Sharing data information and recommendations related to the state of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) overall and for specific sectors which could also include provincial data. Promoting reforms to the Competition Act that will ensure small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete in today’s economy, especially as small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have noted an increase in large corporate giants within Canada. Shipping costs pose a significant barrier for small business, as such we continue to advocate for favourable shipping rates with carriers (including the cost of shipping along with better service levels and addressing the work stoppage at Canada Post). Presenting the views of small business owners based on our survey data to the Canada Revenue Agency to share ways of improving customer service interactions with small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to ease the tax burden on small business owners as well as increase accountability within the agency. CFIB continues to monitor the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Act on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and other issues raised related to the mandate of Health Canada. We also continue to monitor customer service interactions between our members and Health Canada. Any issues are raised with officials. CFIB advocates for simplification to the federal procurement process on behalf of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Lobbying to reduce Red Tape by focusing on removing interprovincial trade barriers, facilitating labour mobility and improving government customer service. This includes providing input for the consultations on the Annual Regulatory Modernization Bill. Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax Administration with regards to Transitional Rules, Out of Province Sales Rules, Point-of-Sale Rebate, and fillings. Retirement Income Policies, and proposed Canada Pension Plan increases. CFIB is against mandatory increases in Canada Pension Plan, and has provided alternative approaches. CFIB has also shared recommendations to reduce disincentives to work for older workers. Presenting the views of small business owners on infrastructure spending through member survey results, mandate votes and other CFIB research. Offering funding solutions and alternatives to government proposals on transit and infrastructure expansion. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)