Philippe-Andre Rodriguez

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.

Discussion on the intangible economy, the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (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. Defence & Security: advocate for a domestic-focused cybersecurity ecosystem that has Canadian companies at the centre of a national cybersecurity defence policy. 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. Advance discussions on policies and programs that advance prosperity and innovation in Atlantic Canada and beyond including procurement, productivity, healthtech, artifical intelligence, clean tech, skills, immigration and other topics of relevance to members. Discuss trade and the impact of tariffs, as they relate to CCI members and policies, with officials - particularly as it relates to Atlantic Canada and/or other jurisdictions. Discuss Atlantic Canadian global trade opportunities relevant to CCI members and emerging regional opportunities (particularly in defence and aerospace) with officials. Raise the profile of the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI), and our members, in Atlantic Canada to relevant decision makers; coordinate meetings for our Atlantic members. Coordinate events and meetings related to the Canada - US relationship. Pursue funding to support Atlantic regional initiatives and capacity building.

Work with government to promote and support Canada’s digital economy, including ensuring the availability of a high-skilled tech workforce. Work with government to facilitate the process of selling goods and services online, and delivering them to consumers.

GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Reform Canada’s procurement system to support investment and ensure a competitive business environment. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Ensuring fair and open procurement practices to drive innovation and technology adoption in Canada. HOUSING - Advocate for policies and legislation that enable the creation of more housing supply, incentivize investment in residential construction and housing – enabling infrastructure, and support the development of skilled labour we need, whether domestically or through immigration, to restore housing affordability to Canadian families. TAXATION AND FINANCE – With regard to the measurement and improvement of Canada’s tax competitiveness, including: reforming the taxation, remittance, filing and audit processes of Canadian businesses and tax policy which improves the competitiveness of the Canadian business environment INTERNATIONAL TRADE – With respect to issues relating to trade controls, including tariffs, import and export controls, sanctions, and trade remedies. INDUSTRY - Improving the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program to drive innovation; increase the role that the federal government plays in creating opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to digitalize and conduct more business activities online; developing a digital economy strategy for Canada. HEALTH – Ensuring we improve access to necessary medicines by building on rather than displacing the important role of private insurers and respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction. CYBER SECURITY - Encouraging the government to prioritize cybersecurity innovation, talent development, and critical infrastructure resilience; modernize research and development; accelerate commercialization in the space; support the secure digitalization of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and improve the global competitiveness of Canada’s cybersecurity industry. IMMIGRATION - Reducing regulatory burdens for employers; promoting immigration to small, rural and northern communities; supporting regional and local community immigration strategies; maintaining and modernizing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program; Facilitating pathways to permanent residency for temporary residents (international students and TFWs; expediting and simplifying foreign credential recognition, calling for an international student and global talent strategy; improving language training as well as settlement and employment supports to newcomers, aligning immigration programs with labour market needs, improving the Start-Up Visa process, improving client services to potential immigrants and newcomers. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING – National Workforce Strategy, programs that support small and medium sized enterprises, improving collection and dissemination of Labour Market Information, establishing the Employment Insurance Council to institutionalize social dialogue between workers and employers on issues related to employment and training needs, addressing barriers to labour mobility, improving effectiveness of employment supports and skills training. EDUCATION - Aligning employer and workforce needs with education and training; expanding skilling, upskilling, reskilling and work integrated learning opportunities. INFRASTRUCTURE – Improvement of Canada’s infrastructure through the National Infrastructure Assessment, National Supply Chains Strategy, and establishment of a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan. TRANSPORTATION - Regarding the consistent funding of trade-enabling infrastructure projects; the development of a competitive and efficient transportation network including all modes of transportation; the fluidity and stability of supply chain operations, minimizing disruptions. LABOUR - Ensuring that any changes to the Canada Labour Code are implemented in response to defined and demonstrated issues and not to increase regulatory burdens for employers; minimizing labour disruption impacts on Canadian bus

Ensuring federal funding for programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Enhance regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, such as developing a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Canada's federal budget with regards to removing all subsidies to the oil, coal and gas industry, including subsidies provided through preferential tax treatments; development of renewable energy and fossil fuels, conservation and efficiency

Proposed transparency reporting guidelines with respect to law enforcement requests for data. Procurement modernization, as it relates to the standards, terms, conditions and policies that underpin the Government of Canada's procurement of enterprise ICT products and services, including cloud-based services. Privacy policy as it relates to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, including the regulations thereunder. Policies or programs related to the regulation of digital platforms. Policies or programs related to the protection of Canadian democratic institutions and electoral systems. Policies or programs related to the increased cross-border transportation links connecting the Cascadia Innovation Corridor. Policies or programs related to technology and environmental sustainability. Policies or programs related to internet connectivity and broadband access. Policies or programs related to innovation, the digital economy and the adoption of information and communication technologies. Policies or programs as they relate to the development and applications of artificial intelligence and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, including facial recognition technology. Policies or programs as they relate to internet safety and online harms. Policies concerning the regulation of personal and sensitive information, including lawful access policies and cybersecurity. Policies concerning the promotion and development of computer science education and digital skills. Internet safety and security policy affecting information technology companies. Internet policy specifically the implementation of policy affecting the governance of the internet. Internet policy specifically as it relates to cybersecurity and national security. International trade as it relates to intellectual property and digital trade. Intellectual property and competition policy affecting information technology companies. Information and communications technology adoption, including cloud and AI technologies, by business and public sector entities. Immigration policy and programs as they relate to attracting and retaining high skilled global talent to Canada. Cybersecurity policy as it relates to the creation of international norms. Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-27 (Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022), more specifically the creation of the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act, and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-26 (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-18 (An Act Respecting Online Communications Platforms), more specifically about the regulation of online content. Accessibility policy as it relates to the enactment of the Accessible Canada Act, including the establishment of the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization and the creation of IT standards.