Nancy Gardiner

We engage with various elected and staff officials in the federal government on issues relevant to urban life, including the governance and financing of municipal governments. and specific federal funding and policies that affect urban life, including housing, mental health, economic development, small businesses, land use, infrastructure, urban planning and design, heritage, support for tourism and culture, immigration, skills development and employment, climate, and equity, the health of neighborhoods and downtowns as places. This has been particularly true during COVID.

Engagement related to federal programs and investments that support the development, testing, and adoption of advanced transportation and mobility technologies, including smart mobility, autonomous systems, and innovation test environments. This includes initiatives that contribute to economic development outcomes through enabling next-generation infrastructure, commercialization, and collaboration between industry and government. Supporting policies and programs that strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including entrepreneurship development and inclusive economic participation. Seeking additional funding support for emerging and advanced technologies, including programs that accelerate research, development, testing, validation, and commercialization. Supporting policies and programs that enhance global market access, foreign direct investment attraction, and international partnerships for Canadian companies, including collaboration with international innovation organizations and trade agencies. Focus on enabling Ottawa-based firms to expand globally, access capital and customers, and strengthen Canada’s position in competitive global innovation markets. Advancing inclusive, innovation-driven economic growth in Canada’s Capital through programs that strengthen the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, accelerate business formation and scale-up, and drive job creation, investment attraction, and long-term prosperity

Opportunity to discuss Ottawa L5 developments & rebranding. Meeting was intended to discuss the market launch and rebranding of Ottawa L5 in the fall – goal was to identify who to work with on Medding's staff and to secure a date. It is downstream of a Grant awarded by FedDev Ontario, the request for which occurred before the pandemic hit. *Note: we are not sure this qualifies as lobbying activity, but wanted to add it to the activity report in case it does. Detail Title: Small Business Agenda, Employment and Training • Opportunity for Invest Ottawa to Help the Government of Canada Help Displaced Workers, Create New Jobs and the Economy of the Future • Broader Measures Recommended to the Government of Canada to Address the Current Challenges Facing Canadian Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Companies Detail Title: Science and Technology Seeking additional funding support from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry for tech-based startups and entrepreneurs in the City of Ottawa Detail Title: International Trade Collaborating with European TIOs During Changing Working Conditions Detail Title: Economic Development Recommendations on support for the business community during COVID-19 crisis Recommended actions and investments during/post COVID-19

Seeking funding support for launching new businesses with focus on innovative, high-tech businesses. Seeking funding support and development of initiatives that will invest in science and technology R&D to help drive competitive advantage. Seeking funding for programs to drive job creation through innovative , high tech companies. Seeking development and funding support for programs to train next generation entrepreneurs and innovators, with a focus on experiential learning and industry experience for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students. Seeking development and funding support for initiatives to facilitate collaborations between industry and academia to drive commercialization of publicly funded research and to drive economic development outcomes for Canada.

Increase supports available for startups and scaleups National Research Council Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program with respect to funding programs supporting Canadian startups and scaleups FedDev Ontario - Regional Innovation Ecosystem Program with respect to funding to support Canadian SMEs to grow and scale Explore the possibility of obtaining Strategic Innovation Fund assistance

National Research Council Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program with respect to funding programs supporting Canadian startups and scaleups FedDev Ontario - Regional Innovation Ecosystem Program with respect to funding to support Canadian SMEs to grow and scale Explore the possibility of obtaining Strategic Innovation Fund assistance

Temporary Foreign Worker Program - with respect to meeting the needs of Canada's emerging technology-based businesses. National Research Council Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program – with respect to funding programs supporting small-medium and large sized (SMEs) enterprises Invest Canada - with respect to attracting foreign investors in digital media, information, communications and technology companies International Science and Technology Partnership Program – with respect to exchanging knowledge between Canadian companies and foreign countries Income Tax Act - Amendment to the Income Tax Act with respect to angel investors Global Opportunites for Associations - with respect to facilitating SME experience aboard FedDev Ontario - Regional Innovation Ecosystem Program – with respect to scaleup platform work Employment and Social Development Canada - Opportunities to fund skills and training programs in Waterloo Region Centre of Excellence in Research and Commercialization - with respect to bringing new technologies to market to create more companies, jobs and wealth in Canada. Building in Canada Fund - with respect to Two-way Go Train service linking Waterloo Region to the Greater Toronto Area

Initiatiatives the accelerate the artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, including updating existing playbooks and programming, providing practical tools for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs), and the mobilization of students to create new AI-native ventures. Initiatives that support local dual-use and defence companies in accessing capital, customers, and talent, including engagements with the NATO DIANA network, defence stakeholders, and experts in artificial intelligence, quantum, and cyber. Initiatives that support local technology companies, including access to capital, procurement pathways, and the protection of intellectual property.

Seek increased support for entrepreneurs and startups in a range of sectors—from health and cleantech to finance and education—helping them grow and scale into global market leaders by providing expert advice Seek increased access to funding to support innovation companies at all stages of their growth. Collaborating with the Government of Canada on how to commercialize innovation businesses of the future, and making a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and others around the world.

Science & Technology Strategy - promotion of enhanced measures to increase research in science and technology Indirect Costs Program - support for enhanced provisions Increased support for commercialization of university research results Federal Research Granting Councils and agencies funding of research, academic pursuits, and publication or dissemination Centres of Excellence - promotion of increased funding for establishment of Centres of Excellence in research Budget - promotion of increased funding of research and academic pursuites

Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) & Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA): 1) Promote adoption of free trade agreements. Measures impacting economic development and prosperity of Toronto, surrounding region, and other large Canadian cities including taxation and budgeting, urban policies, enhanced government services and technology adoption, enhancing business competitiveness and red tape reduction. Immigration: 1) Increasing the number of international passengers using Canadian airports; 2) Advancing an Employer Sponsorship model for skilled international workers Global Market Action Plan: 1) Helping GTA SMEs overcome barriers to exporting; 2) Involving Global Affairs Canada, EDC, BDC, etc. in the Board's trade accelerator program (TAP); 3) Helping grow regional business clusters. Digital Adaptation - to seek funding for delivery of programs helping small to medium size businesses digitally transform their end-to end operations. Canada's Innovation Agenda: To make smarter cities and develop world leading clusters Canada's Infrastructure Plan: 1) Reducing traffic gridlock through improving regional transportation infrastructure and governance; 2) Promoting connected and globally competitive airports; 3) Providing input on public-private partnerships; 4) Implementation of Canada's Infrastructure Bank; 5) Facilitating global trade through the movement of goods and services Canada's Climate Change Framework: 1) To introduce a balanced framework that supports industrial growth while achieving climate change targets. Budget: 1) Increase Canadian businesses competitiveness, drive productivity growth through trade; 2) Maximizing job creation and incomes for Canadians through enhanced labour market information; 3) Maximizing the economic impact of the Canada's Infrastructure Plan by improving GTA transportation infrastructure; 4) Maintaining fiscal disciple and reducing the Government's GDP to debt ration; 5) Promoting investment in innovation.

Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) & Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA): 1) Promote adoption of free trade agreements. Measures impacting economic development and prosperity of Toronto, surrounding region, and other large Canadian cities including taxation and budgeting, urban policies, enhanced government services and technology adoption, enhancing business competitiveness and red tape reduction. Immigration: 1) Increasing the number of international passengers using Canadian airports; 2) Advancing an Employer Sponsorship model for skilled international workers Global Market Action Plan: 1) Helping GTA SMEs overcome barriers to exporting; 2) Involving Global Affairs Canada, EDC, BDC, etc. in the Board's trade accelerator program (TAP); 3) Helping grow regional business clusters. Canada's Infrastructure Plan: 1) Reducing traffic gridlock through improving regional transportation infrastructure and governance; 2) Promoting connected and globally competitive airports; 3) Providing input on public-private partnerships; 4) Implementation of Canada's Infrastructure Bank; 5) Facilitating global trade through the movement of goods and services Budget: 1) Increase Canadian businesses competitiveness, drive productivity growth through trade; 2) Maximizing job creation and incomes for Canadians through enhanced labour market information; 3) Maximizing the economic impact of the Canada's Infrastructure Plan by improving GTA transportation infrastructure; 4) Maintaining fiscal disciple and reducing the Government's GDP to debt ration; 5) Promoting investment in innovation.

Seeking funding to: improve the relationships that every Federal Department, Agency, Crown Corporation and Regulator has with Indigenous communities, businesses, and Federal Indigenous employees; support the growth and access to opportunity for Indigenous exporters; and increase the representation of Indigenous peoples on Corporate Boards. Sources of funding to be determined Increasing Federal procurement from Indigenous businesses. Ensuring Indigeneous businesses are engaged in Infrastructure Programs; Development and implementation of a Federal Indigenous Entrepreneurship Strategy;

Bill C-27: An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts, with respect to the AI provisions.

Discussions regarding digital policy and legislation, including as it relates to artificial intelligence (AI) and data protection, privacy and reduction of online harms. AI adoption including updating procurement policies. Discuss issues related to international competitiveness of the domestic AI industry. Provide subject matter (AI) expertise to the Canadian AI Safety Institute team where it might be helpful across a number of areas including opportunities for research and safety practices. Discussions with officials regarding the Canada-US bilateral relationship.