Mirna Vukicevic

The Tobacco Act - Tobacco Products Information Regulations and Tobacco Reporting Regulations Excise Tax Act - Part IX - with regard to tobacco products (within the meaning assigned by section 2 of the Excise Act, 2001) Excise Act, 2001 -with regard to tobacco duties, stamps or collection. Customs Act/Customs Tariff - with regard to customs duties on tobacco products.

Tobacco and Vaping Products Act with regards to the classification of tobacco and vaping products, product regulation, packaging and labeling Schedule 1 of the Excise Act 2001 (Sections 42, 43.1 and 58.2, subsections 216(2) and (3), and section 240) under the Rate of Duty on Tobacco Products Excise Act, 2001 -with regard to tobacco and vaping duties, stamps or collection. Customs Act/Customs Tariff - with regard to customs duties on tobacco and vaping products. Any new legislative or regulatory proposals or policies relating to tobacco and/or vaping including taxation, product regulation, flavouring, packaging and labeling requirements and contraband. Any new legislative or regulatory proposals or policies relating to the recycling of tobacco-related and vaping products. Any new legislative or regulatory proposals, or policies, relating to non-combustible, smoke-free, nicotine products Any new legislative or regulatory proposals, or policies, relating to harm reduction as it pertains to combustible tobacco products.

Recherche de financement et un soutien du gouvernement fédéral accru pour assurer la réussite et la pérennité du Programme?national d’alimentation scolaire universel. Collaborer avec les différents paliers de gouvernement, le secteur privé et les organisations communautaires pour établir un modèle de partage des coûts durable qui soutient en priorité les enfants et les milieux qui font face à des obstacles à une alimentation saine. "L’organisme défend et participe à la mise en œuvre des lois, politiques et programmes de financement pour instaurer un Programme?national d’alimentation scolaire universel, pérenne, et renforçant les liens avec les systèmes alimentaires locaux. La vision du Club des petits?déjeuners est celle d’un pays où tous les enfants ont accès chaque jour à des aliments nutritifs à l’école. Pour réaliser cette vision, l’organisme défend et participe à la mise en œuvre des lois, politiques et programmes de financement pour instaurer un Programme?national d’alimentation scolaire universel, pérenne, et renforçant les liens avec les systèmes alimentaires locaux. Il collabore avec les différents paliers de gouvernement, le secteur privé et les organisations communautaires pour établir un modèle de partage des coûts durable qui soutient en priorité les enfants et les milieux qui font face à des obstacles à une alimentation saine. Un financement et un soutien du gouvernement fédéral accru sont indispensables pour assurer la réussite et la pérennité de ce programme.

CAOT is advocating for changes to the Income Tax Act or its regulations to enable occupational therapists to complete the T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate. We are advocating for mental health investments, occupational therapy inclusion in primary care, changes to the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program and Jordan's Principle Program. The inclusion of occupational therapists on all Primary Care Teams in communities across Canada re health system innovation and transformation. Advocating for OTs to be designated mental health providers. Promote the creation of a source of funding for occupational therapy research Inclusion of occupational therapy in extended health benefits in public insurance plans; refugee health; veterans health; Indigenous people's health. Importance of occupational therapy interventions to support the Armed Forces and Veterans. Easier access to Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, and Jordan's Principle funding by streamlining the application and approval process. CAOT provides its perspectives on legislation such as the implementation of Pan Canadian Framework for Palliative Care in Canada Act. Indigenous services, mental health and facilitating seniors to age at home and in their communities. CAOT is advocating for the inclusion of occupational therapists (OTs) on primary care teams in communities across Canada, so that OTs can provide low-cost, high-impact interventions that result in positive health and wellness outcomes for the people of Canada. OTs provide home assessments and modifications that allow seniors for example to stay at home and lead productive lives in their communities.

Seeking to ensure the interests of Canada’s independent producers are considered in any artificial intelligence (AI) policies or regulations, including the National AI Strategy. Seeking to ensure the interests of Canada’s independent producers are considered in any amendments to the Broadcasting Act, Telecommunications Act, Online Streaming Act or Copyright Act. Seeking to ensure that producers are able to receive labour market opinions in a timely manner Seeking to ensure that appropriate Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) in the film and television industry are exempt from the 4-year cap on working in Canada as provided in the Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Seeking the creation of new private investment incentives through modifications to the Income Tax Act or other appropriate legislation Seeking CRTC-mandated contributions by internet service providers, wireless service providers, and online broadcasters to the creation and presentation of Canadian programming from the independent production sector Request funding for the creation of a mentorship program aimed at developing skill sets and acquiring work experience in the film, television and interactive media industry. Participation in Creative Export Canada via the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Participating in guideline consultations for all programs administered by Telefilm Canada Funding from Canadian Heritage for the production of annual research report "Profile: An Economic Report on the Canadian Film and Television Industry" Department of Canadian Heritage co-production policy with regard to international production treaties CRTC Canadian program certification relating to criteria used to determine Canadian content of productions Canadian Audio-Visual Certification - relating to criteria for obtaining CAVCO certification of a production Canada Income Tax Act relating to Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit program and to Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit Program Broadcasting regulations, including regulations related to Canadian programming. Broadcasting polices, including policies related to Canadian programming expenditures, digital media, and independently-produced programming.

The Cannabis Council is looking to actively engage the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and to gain support for efforts to improve consistency and quality of the value - added agricultural crop cannabis. The Cannabis Act and Excise Act: Revising the application of excise tax on medical cannabis. The Cannabis Act: Working to develop proposed amendments to the Legislation using the Statutory Review of the Act that was initiated in the Fall of 2022. The Cannabis Act: Working to develop an appropriate marketing and branding regime that allows for producers to Differentiate their products through communication with consumers about product attributes. Seeking to eliminate the 2.3% regulatory fees charged by Health Canada. Working to improve the service standards for license changes, security clearance, export permits. Regional Economic Development. Seeking to build awareness about the sector and to encourage support from government regional and rural economic development programs. Helping to highlight the need for Diversity, Inclusion and Gender strategies within the cannabis sector. We are seeking to gain encouragement from the Government for progress in these areas. Excise Tax Framework on Cannabis products was fashioned on a premise of $ 1 in $ 10 as tax whereas in practical reality the tax is far more aggressive than planned, often coming in at or nearly 3 times higher at 30 %. This is severely compressing the financial viability of many licensed producers and processors, while keeping product prices high in comparison to competition in the legacy, illicit marketplace. CRA Excise stamp logistics and placement on adult consumer use cannabis products and co packing supply chain realities that run up against the Excise Tax Act. Cannabis Economic Development. The cannabis industry is engaging with ISED which has a new mandate to promote economic development activity stemming from the legalization of cannabis and the emergence of a robust eco system across the country. Cannabis Amnesty. The Council is actively engaged in encouraging government officials to take a proactive stance in the elimination/ expungement of Canadians with Criminal records for the posession of Cannabis for personal consumption. Calling for enhanced inclusion in Government Agency Programs at Business Development Bank (BDC) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) as well as Export Development Canada (EDC) for the Cannabis Sector.

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.

Engagement on youth entrepreneurship support - We continue to engage with government stakeholders to enable Futurpreneur to continue to provide mentoring, financing and business services/support to young diverse entrepreneurs, including Indigenous entrepreneurs and OLMCs. Futurpreneur supports business creation in all regions, including working in rural communities and First Nations. This also includes growth initiatives for young entrepreneurs and their startup/SMEs, as well as international trade opportunities, such as the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance.

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.

Work with government to expand financial literacy programs for small businesses Working with the Canada Revenue Agency through the Income Tax Act to maintain operations between Intuit taxation software (QuickBooks) and government departments/agencies. The Government of Canada's digital service delivery, with respect to opportunities for innovation and collaborative partnership Implementation and interpretation of recent amendments to Anti-Money Laundering regime Government consultations and policies relating to payment system regulation, including small business use of new technologies Expanding the scope of services eligible to participate in the development of the Canada Digital Adoption Program Canada's Revenue Agency's tax filing services with respect to providing tax preparation service delivery to low and fixed income Canadians.

Postal service disruption and the significant hardships these disruptions cause for Canadians and on health charities We ask the federal government to fund MS research in partnership with MS Canada, leveraging our connections and expertise to focus and further our understanding of MS, pursue leading-edge research on repair and regeneration, and explore prevention strategies, including targeting the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Safe Long-Term Care Act with respect to persons affected by MS National Housing Strategy with respect for persons with MS and other chronic conditions and disabilities Measures and funding for the charitable sector generally Home care, with respect to creation with provincial/ territorial governments programs relating to increased home care for persons with MS and other disabilities/ diseases and the support of caregivers Federal Budget: Allocate funding for the Canada Disability Benefit, the Employment Insurance Sickness Benefit; health research; access to treatment and care; and other budgetary policy as it relates to MS. Establishment of national strategy for neurological conditions, with respect to persons with MS and other neurological conditions. Employment Insurance sickness benefits, with respect to creation of flexible benefits for persons with MS and other episodic disabilities Disability Tax Credit with respect to making it refundable and ensuring eligibility for Canadians with episodic disabilities Comprehensive disability income programs, with respect to persons with MS and other chronic and episodic disabilities CIHR as it relates to federal funding & long term investment in health research Canada Pension Plan – Disability with respect to eligibility for persons with MS and other chronic and episodic disabilities Canada Health Transfer - health system funding transfer and agreements intended for provinces/territories to support the delivery of healthcare services, including MS care Canada Health Act and regulations, as it relates to long-term and home care Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare with respect for persons with MS and other chronic conditions and disabilities Access to treatments as it relates to the current regulatory and price negotiation processes to enhance timely access to all Health Canada approved MS disease-modifying therapies, with respect to the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases and national pharmacare.