Nicole Giles

INTERNATIONAL TRADE: Legislative proposals, regulations, policies or programs related to Canada's international trading and investment relationship with foreign markets. WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: Input to federal deliberations regarding international negotiations to implement the Doha Round of trade liberalization U.N. CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: Input to federal deliberations on ongoing international negotiations respecting the Convention, as well as decisions about implementation of Convention provisions in Canada TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP: Input to federal consultations re Canada's entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership; and consideration of Canadian interests with respect to increasing economic ties with several nations of the Asia-Pacific, including trade in goods and services, foreign investment protections, intellectual property, immigration, labour mobility, etc. TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY: Federal policy and rules related to provision of telecommunications services in Canada, including competition among service providers, access to wireless spectrum, ownership and foreign investment, and access by new entrants SECURITY AND PROSPERITY IN NORTH AMERICA, with respect to rules governing the flow of goods, services and people across the border; cooperation among agencies in the three countries to streamline and harmonize rules and regulations governing the conduct of business; policies to enhance energy trade and energy security SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY: Input regarding policies that can support research and development of new science and technology and the broader adaptation of advanced technologies across the Canadian economy PUBLIC SERVICE: Rules and regulations governing the conduct of public servants in their relations with corporations and business associations, processes for consulting with business on the impact of new laws and regulations governing the conduct of business in Canada POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: Rules governing federal-provincial financing arrangements for post-secondary education; and development of acceptable national standards for graduate degrees in various disciplines PARLIAMENTARY REFORM: Input regarding changes to rules governing Parliament; Senate reform NORTH AMERICAN LEADERS' SUMMIT: Input to the federal government regarding policy priorities for the annual summit of the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: Amendments, sub-agreements and regulations governing trade relations between Canada, the United States and Mexico; with respect to the enhanced trade in goods and services, regulation of investment between countries, admittance of qualified immigrants and recognition of professional credentials for employment purposes NORTH AMERICAN DEFENCE: Input regarding the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and other means to enhance collaboration among governments regading defence of the North American continent NORTH AMERICAN COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION: Input to federal deliberations regarding possible enhancement and coordination of environmental standards among Canada, the United States and Mexico NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY: Input regarding policies that Canada's national security policies and regulations impacting the private sector. NATIONAL SECURITIES REGULATOR: Supporting efforts by the federal government to work with the provinces and establish a single national regulatory authority for the regulation of corporations which issues shares to the public LOBBYING ACT: Regulations governing the conduct of lobbyists and their relations with the federal government with respect to the rules regarding communications and meetings between senior public office holders and corporations and organizational lobbyists INVESTMENT CANADA ACT: Regulations and policies with respect to the foreign ownership of Canadian companies; takeovers of Canadian companies by foreign corporations or state entities, thresholds that trigger review

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.

Discussions about financial sustainability measures for universities. Discussions about shared priorities related to universities including workforce, talent, and employment. Discussions on the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy. Government of Canada - Universities Working Group roundtable discussion on research security. Discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) funding as it relates to universities. Student housing and community enabling campus infrastructure programs. Working group meeting to discuss academic contributions to the Defence Industrial Strategy. Immigration policies and programs related to international students and affecting universities. Discussions of education and international relations opportunities. Engaging in discussions on research priorities for Canadian universities. Discussions about research policy and programs, Canada-US relations, and their impacts on the post-secondary sector Discussions about international students, the workforce, and the benefits of a university degree. Discussions about the Global Excellence Initiative (GEI) and future funding commitments. Meeting to discuss science policy and programs, impact of Canada-US relations Recent policy changes and development of other policy tools including the Recognized Institutions Framework.

The Consumer Driven Banking Act and related regulations as it applies to banks The federal government’s framework for stablecoins and digital assets Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act as it relates to banks and the administration of the deposit insurance framework Federal government programs and policies related to Artificial Intelligence regulation Housing finance framework, including reforms to expand housing supply, mortgage underwriting regulations and covered bonds Financial institutions with respect to Canada/US relationship and trade policy Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions guidelines with respect to capital, liquidity, and non-financial risk The Canadian Payments Act, as it relates to management of Canada’s payment system and payments modernization The modernization of the supervisory framework for financial institutions as it relates to the responsibility for administering prudential and consumer measures Requirements for financial institutions as they relate to corporate governance rules under the Bank Act Promotion of the importance of a competitive financial sector in achieving improved economic development in Canadian regions Providing inputs with respect to capital requirements as they relate to Basel III and lending for businesses Official languages policy as it relates to financial services. Federal government programs and policies supporting growth for small businesses Federal government programs and policies respecting financing for infrastructure projects Federal government programs and policies on employment and training as they pertain to financial institutions Federal government programs and policies respecting consumers as they pertain to relationships with financial institutions Federal government programs respecting financing for the agriculture industry Federal government programs respecting financial services for Indigenous communities The Bank Act and the National Housing Act as they relate to potential measures affecting housing affordability and lending Promotion of resources to support mental health and well-being of Canadians Promotion of financial services available to finance Canadian infrastructure development; sharing of international best practices with respect to infrastructure policy, particularly in terms of options for project financing arrangements Privacy legislation and acts with respect to the banking industry’s collection, use and protection of personal information Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions Guidelines regarding accounting rules regulating financial institutions Income Tax Act with respect to corporate income tax, capital tax, international taxation, personal taxation, and registered saving products Impact of federal national security policy as it relates to the banking sector Financial services policy with respect to study of retirement income security Federal government programs and policies to combat financial crimes Federal government programs and policies related to sustainability, natural resources and climate change in support of achieving net zero targets Federal government position with regard to ongoing discussions on international financial regulation reform, as it pertains to Canadian banks Federal government policies affecting Canada’s payment systems as well as access to financial data Bank Act with respect to its impact on financial sector

Discussions related to corporate taxation, SR&ED and ITCs Discussions related to funding for technology development and research and development (R&D) involving space, maritime, aerospace and defence initiatives Discussions relating to intellectual property protection Discussions related to achievement of Indigenous Participation Plans Discussions related to timely, streamlined immigration approvals for skilled talent recruitment Promoting MDA CHORUS to address government need for Earth observation data Discussions relating to spectrum policy, applications and auctions, broadband regulations, satellite band interference, satellite registration and modernization of space regulations Discussions relating to defence export promotion and international cooperation agreements Seeking coverage of space infrastructure as part of Canada’s critical infrastructure strategy Discussions relating industrial security, security clearances, controlled goods and export permits Discussions relating to Strategic Partnerships, the Buy Canadian Policy and the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) program Discussions relating to international trade agreements Advocacy for a commitment to, or funding for, policies and programs related to space (civil, defence and commercial) and non-space initiatives Discussions related to amendments to space regulations including the Remote Space Systems Sensing Act (RSSSA), the development of a National Space Act, and coverage of currently unregulated space capabilities (In-space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing, Launch) Advocating for the modernization of Canada’s space regulatory framework for Earth observation, telecommunications, in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing, and launch Discussions relating to national defence programs to reinforce national security priorities using space and non-space technology Discussions relating to current and future space and defence programs such as satellite connectivity, Earth observation, communications and space exploration missions

Taxation and Finance: Canada must ensure, fairness, accountability and transparency regarding CRA decisions that impact Jewish charities. Provide economic support for the charitable and not-for-profit sector through a direct granting program. Donations from Canadians should be incentivized through a temporary enhancement of the charitable giving tax credit, or through a donor matching program, whereby the government matches donations from Canadians. Religion: Include a question on religion in every census, instead of every second census. National Security/Security (3): A ministerial directive to the RCMP and CSIS to prioritize and intensify monitoring, intelligence collection, investigations, disruption, and enforcement against antisemitic and Islamist violent extremism, as well as against foreign actors seeking to sponsor or exploit protests in Canada. National Security/Security (2): Continued support for revocation of citizenship in cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorism, and extreme promotion of hate; strengthened screening to bar entry and deny citizenship to individuals who pose security threats or have ties to extremist or terrorist organizations; removal of individuals already in Canada who obtained status through false representation; establishment of a fast-track removal stream for high-risk individuals linked to foreign extremist organizations; accelerated removals for individuals convicted of violent crimes; and standalone immigration consequences for expressing support for listed terrorist entities, even in the absence of criminal convictions. National Security (1): Canada Community Security Program (CCSP): Sustained and recurrent funding and program optimization; support for life-saving protective measures for communities at risk, particularly the Jewish community; funding for capital security upgrades and training; and ongoing support for security guards and paid duty officers. Justice and Law Enforcement (2): Conflict of Interests, Foreign Interference, Ethics, Lobbying, Canada Revenue Agency. Ensuring CIJA fully respects all its legal and regulatory obligations while advocating for the current framework to be more efficient and respectful of the needs, objectives and resources of cultural and religious communities. Justice and Law Enforcement: Canada should pursue a comprehensive, accountable approach to combating hate and promoting inclusion by strengthening legal tools, enforcement capacity, and public institutions. This includes modernizing human rights and criminal frameworks to address hate speech and antisemitism, guided by the IHRA definition; investing in anti-racism, tolerance, and genocide education initiatives; and ensuring police are properly resourced to prevent and respond to hate crimes, with clear accountability for results. Bail reform to include a reverse onus on hate related offences. International Trade: Advancing and expanding bilateral trade through the promotion, application, and potential enhancement of the Canada–Israel Free Trade Agreement, as well as fostering increased investment and academic exchanges. International Relations: Canadian diplomatic relations with Israel and the broader Middle East, including Canada’s role in the Israel–Palestinian peace process; Canadian interventions at the UN and other multilateral bodies, including sanctions regimes and related legislation; and policy toward Iran, including maintaining non-renewal of diplomatic relations alongside continued sanctions against the IRGC and senior regime figures. Immigration: Matters related to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act, including visa applications and issuance; Immigration and Refugee Board policies, including refugee claims from Israel; broader Canadian immigration policy; integration and settlement of new immigrants, recognition of foreign-trained credentials and language training; and standards and requirements for refugee status, permanent residence, and citizenship

Advocacy regarding the Government of Canada’s innovation and economic development agenda, including policies, programs and regulations developed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and other relevant departments and agencies that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary education sector. Advocacy regarding the Government of Canada’s health research and life sciences agenda, including policies, programs and regulations developed by Health Canada and other relevant departments and agencies that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary education sector. Advocacy regarding immigration policies, programs and regulations related to international students, faculty, and highly qualified research personnel developed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and other relevant departments and agencies that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary education sector. Advocacy regarding housing strategy issues, policies and programs that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary education sector. Advocacy regarding Government of Canada training, employment and skills policies or programs, developed by Employment and Social Development Canada and other relevant departments and agencies, that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary education sector with respect to their research and education activities. Advocacy regarding Canada’s research and development agenda, including research funding administered through the granting agencies and other federal departments and agencies, program design, and regulatory concerns related to research, including research security. Advocacy to ensure that proposals to develop or amend federal legislation, regulations, policies or programs that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary system reflect the needs of universities and support research and education activities, including communication with public office holders in the House of Commons of Canada, the Senate of Canada and relevant departments and agencies. Activities related to the operation of U15 digital initiatives including Cognit.ca and SecureScholar.