Rachael Thomas

Lobbying for legislation, policies, law enforcement and investments that will prevent the online sexual exploitation of children. Lobbying Global Affairs Canada to increase investment in programs and policies that will improve access to justice to women and children experiencing violence. Introducing International Justice Mission's programs in Latin America to end violence against women and children.

Lobbying Global Affairs Canada to increase investment in programs and policies that will improve access to justice to women and children experiencing violence. Introducing International Justice Mission's programs in Latin America to end violence against women and children. Lobbying for legislation, policies, law enforcement and investments that will prevent the online sexual exploitation of children.

Detail title: Bill S-206 - National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Aspects that are the object of the lobbying: Supporting Bill S-206, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income, with respect to ensuring that the framework considers the economic circumstances of professional performers and other self-employed, contract and intermittent workers in Canada's cultural sector. Title: International Mobility Program and Business Visitor Provisions for Performers in Commercial and Audiovisual Production Description: ACTRA is seeking to better understand how the International Mobility Program - including the C-14 significant benefit work permit exemption (IRPR R205(a)) for film and television production workers - and the business visitor exemption (IRPR R186(a)) are applied, consulted on, and monitored as they relate to international performers working in Canada's audiovisual sector, with particular focus on commercial and advertising production. ACTRA is exploring whether existing consultation practices and regulatory thresholds appropriately balance Canada's interest in facilitating international productions and skilled talent mobility with protecting work opportunities for Canadian performers. Title: Labour protections for performers in digital and AI-mediated productions Description: Federal labour policy and labour standards as they apply to performers working in digital, online, and artificial intelligence-mediated productions, including collective bargaining protections, enforceability of performer rights, and measures addressing precarious work and non-traditional production models in the screen-based industries. Title: International trade negotiations affecting Canada's audiovisual and cultural sector Description: Government of Canada positions in international trade negotiations and reviews, including Canada-United States discussions and the CUSMA review process, as they relate to cultural policy measures, broadcasting regulation, online streaming obligations, and the economic impact on employment and production in Canada's audiovisual sector. Title: Federal procurement standards for advertising and communications production Description: Federal government procurement policies and contracting practices for advertising and communications services, including the application of performer labour standards, requirements for union-covered productions, and ethical procurement expectations for the use of performers and creative services in government-funded advertising and public communications. Title: Use of copyrighted performances in artificial intelligence training and generative AI systems Description: Amendments to Canada's Copyright Act and related policy measures regarding the use of copyrighted performances and audiovisual works in the training and operation of artificial intelligence systems, including requirements for consent, compensation, and recognition of performers' moral rights, as well as protections against unauthorized reproduction, voice cloning, and synthetic performances. Title: Federal artificial intelligence governance framework and performer rights protections Description: Development of the Government of Canada's artificial intelligence policy and regulatory framework, including the forthcoming national AI strategy, with respect to consent requirements for the use of performers' name, image and likeness, digital identity protections, reputational harm, takedown and enforcement mechanisms, and accountability obligations for AI systems that generate or replicate performances. Copyright legislation – Updating Canada's Copyright Act to implement the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright and Audio Visual Treaties and deal with threats from unchecked generative artificial intelligence to performers' livelihoods. Bill C-27 with respect to artificial intelligence and future regulations to protect the rights of Canadian performers from its misuse

Potential impact of trade issues on audiovisual industry Legislation and policy that supports the regulation of artificial intelligence, notably in protection of performers, and including, but not limited to, moral rights for performers. Policies around the procurement of advertising services using unionzed workers Participate in development of, introduction of, and amendments to the Broadcasting Act through the expected re-introduction of a modernization bill, with specific respect to the use of Canadian talent, Canadian ownership in the broadcasting system, and future regulation of online undertakings. Amendments to the Copyright Act relating to moral rights for performers

All matters related to the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Acts, particularly as they relate to wholesale policies, competitive access to telecommunication facilities, and fostering sustainable competition.

Seeking funding from the federal government for post-secondary education scholarships

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

WAR CRIMES PROSECUTIONS (continuing advocacy to push the denaturalization and deportation of persons found in Canada who lied about their records in the Second World War or more recent conflicts and the prosecution of war criminals when sufficient evidence is adduced.) Update the Criminal Code of Canada with respect to combating antisemitism and online hate. Create a national strategy to tackle online hate and radicalization using the 2019 Justice Committee report, "Taking Action to End Online Hate", as a foundation. A strategy should draw upon the Christchurch Call, and use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. Transportation: Assisting in the development of briefings on airport security by Israeli officials for Transport Canada - including ministerial staff. The project ‘United Against Online Hate’ aims to develop a national coalition with numerous targeted communities to actively combat online hate, following recommendations from the study conducted by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. We have been granted $141,000 for the government’s current fiscal year (ending March 31 2021). We were also awarded $31,800 for the year April 1 2021 to March 31 2022. Tax credit for volunteerism: proposing that a process be added to provide tax credits for individuals who contribute time to charitable activities on a sustained basis. Taxation and Finance: Discussions regarding CRA tax policies with respect to charitable organizations, and general policies. Raoul Wallenberg "Park of the Righteous": For the Government to establish a national park in honour of Raoul Wallenberg paying tribute to individual Canadians who have made a significant contribution to humanitarian causes. Qualifications for refugee status claimants and citizenship and immigration requirements for new immigrants related to standards for qualification for entry Public Security threats to the safety and security of the Jewish community of Canada and the extension of funding of capital costs and staff training for security of communities at risk PSC (Public Safety Canada) and Infrastructure Canada seeking program applicability to full range of Jewish communal institutions with respect to the timing of the program and the scope and determination of reimbursements 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. National Holocaust Memorial: To ensure that the Government of Canada provide resources for year-round access to the memorial as well as educations supports for visitors to the Holocaust Memorial Myanmar/Burma/Uighurs: Rohinga refugees and displaced persons: For Canada to augment humanitarian allocations to assist the Rohinga refugees in Burma and Bangladesh and implement elements of the recommendations submitted by The Hon. Bob Rae regarding the Rohinga refugee population. Make the Disability Tax Credit refundable, and increase its accessibility by making it inclusive, especially for those with non-physical and/or episodic disabilities. Reforms should be undertaken in partnership with disability advocates, to ensure the application process is simpler, less subjective, and more accessible for individuals and medical professionals alike. Make the Canada Caregiver Credit a refundable tax credit. Launch a parliamentary inquiry on Canadians and global terrorism: Parliament should launch a study on Canadian victims and perpetrators of foreign terrorism to identify gaps and propose solutions in two areas: federal support for victims, and evidence collection on perpetrators. INTERNATIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION, COMMEMORATION AND RESEARCH; ensure that the Government of Canada fulfills its obligations as a full member. International

Promote Canadian policies and international cooperation to prevent and address forced and child labour, through responsible business conduct, supply chain due diligence, trade and import measures, international development, and collaboration with international partners to strengthen protections for children in global supply chains. Ensure Canadian arms exports do not negatively impact children in humanitarian crises Identifying opportunities to encourage Canadians to donate regularly to charities, including enhancements to the federal charitable donation tax credit. Support for long-term increases to Canada's international assistance. Obtain high level government support for stabilization, protection of civilians and aid effectiveness in complex humanitarian emergencies. Obtain contributions from Global Affairs Canada for the delivery of development and humanitarian assistance programs. Legislative change in sanctions regime and criminal code to allow humanitarian funding Ensuring Canada's official development assistance includes increased resources for and global leadership in regards to reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) especially for the most vulnerable women & children.

Identifying opportunities to encourage Canadians to donate regularly to charities, including enhancements to the federal charitable donation tax credit. Support for long-term increases to Canada's international assistance. Prioritization of children and child protection in Canada's assistance through supply chain transparency. Obtain high level government support for stabilization, protection of civilians and aid effectiveness in complex humanitarian emergencies. Obtain contributions from Global Affairs Canada for the delivery of development and humanitarian assistance programs. Legislative change in sanctions regime and criminal code to allow humanitarian funding Ensuring Canada's official development assistance includes support, increased funding and global leadership for children's education. Ensuring Canada's official development assistance includes increased resources for and global leadership in regards to reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) especially for the most vulnerable women & children.

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.

That Canada takes tangible steps to actuate on the commitments made with regards to social media and online harms in the 2025 G7 Interior and Security Ministers Communiqué. That a national program be developed to enhance the digital literacy of youth relating to misinformation and disinformation that they may encounter online. Recommendations for the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places): 1. The Committee should support Section 3 and Subsection 4(2), while maintaining the requirement for Attorney General consent for private prosecutions under the Hate Propaganda provisions; 2. The Committee should reject the proposed Subsection 319(2.2) as drafted, limit it to hate symbols, remove the term “Nazi Swastika,” use the term Hakenkreuz (Hooked Cross), include the Sieg Heil salute, and create a new subsection under Section 83.18 prohibiting the public display of symbols used by listed terrorist entities; 3. The Committee should require that any codified definition of “Hatred” conforms with the Supreme Court of Canada’s articulation in the Whatcott decision; 4. The Committee should repeal or amend the exemptions in Subsections 319(3)(b) and 319(3.1)(b). That Transport Canada conduct an investigation into three incidents that took place at airports in October 2025 in Kelowna, Victoria and Windsor. At each airport, the flight information screens and the public address system were hijacked to display and broadcast pro-terror messages. That the Chair of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, extend invitations to the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Public Safety to testify and provide Canadians with essential information about how these airports were compromised, and what steps are being taken to ensure the continued safety of Canadian travelers. That the Minister of Public Safety investigate and, where possible, enforce restrictions on terror-glorifying content, including but not limited to video games and online activity. That the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security launch a new study on the topic of the rise of online radicalization among Canadian youth. That the new Capstone Research Funding Organization ensures that Canada’s three federal research funding agencies amend their funding agreements with post-secondary institutions to include, as a component of the agreements, an attestation that the institutions will ensure that all activities funded by the agencies are in alignment with Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy. That the Government of Canada formally recognize the national crisis of antisemitism and establish a federal task force to develop a coordinated, nationwide response. Legislate mandatory parliamentary briefings and annual public reporting on the scope, evolution, and response to foreign interference threats, enhancing accountability and transparency and Develop a graduated enforcement regime that empowers the government to respond proportionately to violations, from public reprimands to criminal charges, where warranted. Examine the enhancement of section 83.18 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits the participation in the activity of a terrorist group. Membership in, recruiting others to become members of, and the promotion or glorification of a listed terror entity should also be criminalized using this section. Explore reformation of section 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code. The defences from prosecution contained in these provisions are being manipulated by bad faith actors who are taking advantage of these sections by misusing their roles as faith leaders to justify their promotion of hatred. Propose amendments to the Criminal Code to criminalize the public display of the emblems and symbols of listed terror entities to effectively prevent the glorification and promotion of the ideologies and actions of listed terror entities. This c

Ensure that digital gaming platforms are regulated as online services under Bill C-34. Application of the Museums Act regarding ministerial oversight of federally funded national museums. Conduct a national review of organizations, networks, and entities that promote, finance, facilitate, or legitimize extremist ideologies Withhold Federal funding from universities and publicly funded institutions which neither protect Jewish students nor enforce policies against harassment, intimidation, discrimination, and hate. Strengthen immigration screening and enforcement to ensure newcomers embrace the democratic values, pluralism, equality, and rule of law that define Canada. Use every available legal mechanism to investigate, prosecute, remove, or deport non-citizens who support terrorism, engage in hate-motivated criminality, incite violence, or threaten public safety. The creation of legislation that will impose a duty to report on AI generators to report when certain user and AI behavior thresholds are crossed. The creation of legislation that will require AI generators to identify AI generative content with watermarks to easily identify human-generated content from synthetic content generated by AI. That the Government of Canada develop and fund a coordinated national youth digital literacy program focused on online harms That the Government of Canada provide permanent and ongoing funding to the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and the Prevention of Violence within Public Safety Canada. Concerns regarding alleged misuse of the CRA charitable complaints process targeting Jewish educational institutions and camps, and application of neutral and consistent enforcement of charitable compliance laws. Assessment of foreign nationals scheduled to speak in Canada and application of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act regarding admissibility and public safety. The Prime Minister must address the nation immediately, acknowledge the crisis of antisemitism, and outline concrete actions to ensure the safety of Jewish Canadians, defend Canadian values, and confront rising extremism threatening the country’s social fabric. Deploy national security resources to protect Jewish institutions. Treat attacks on Jewish institutions as acts of domestic terrorism. That the Government of Canada formally recognize the national crisis of antisemitism by establishing a national antisemitism emergency task force. That the new Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion recognize that Jewish Canadians remain the most frequently targeted group for hate crimes in Canada and ensure this reality informs both its composition and priorities, that individuals tasked with addressing antisemitism reflect the broadly accepted understanding of antisemitism within the Jewish community in Canada, and that support for the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism serve as a foundational element guiding the Council’s work. Establish a Royal Commission on Antisemitism in Canada That Canada takes tangible steps to actuate on the commitments made with regards to social media and online harms in the 2025 G7 Interior and Security Ministers Communiqué. Recommendations for the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places): 1. The Committee should support Section 3 and Subsection 4(2), while maintaining the requirement for Attorney General consent for private prosecutions under the Hate Propaganda provisions; 2. The Committee should reject the proposed Subsection 319(2.2) as drafted, limit it to hate symbols, remove the term “Nazi Swastika,” use the term Hakenkreuz (Hooked Cross), include the Sieg Heil salute, and create a new subsection under Section 83.18 prohibiting the public display of symbols used by listed terrorist entities; 3. The Committee should require that any codified definition of “Hatred” conforms with the Supreme Court of Canada

International development; climate finance and agricultural sustainability; and public engagement and domestic support. Discussions on the clarification of the new trade and development policy. Global Affairs Canada (GAC)'s focus remains on poverty reduction and discussions on tied aid are not a priority. Climate finance should contribute to sustainable agricultural outcomes. There was also a discussion on moving from isolated development interventions toward more integrated systems approaches - silos to systems. With regards to public engagement and support for international development, there was a discussion on potential government support for sector-wide initiatives. Additionally, there was discussion on the possibility of GAC conducting research to understand how civil society organizations (CSOs) engage Canadians on international development issues. International development. Discussion about the strategic importance of international development aid to Canada's economy, national security and values. Additionally, we sought to understand the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC)'s position on aid and asked that resilient food systems be prioritized in the party's international development platform. International development. Make resilient food systems an aid priority and ensure the development-trade approach focuses on poverty reduction. localization and sustainability. Official development assistance should continue to focus on gender and localization. in this regard, at least $5.5 billion of ODA per annum should go towards poverty reduction in developing countries. Climate finance should prioritize vulnerable groups, support biodiversity and minimize debt. Canada should triple climate finance to $15.9 billion for 2026-2031. The 5-year pledge announced in spring 2026 was much lower. We “welcomed” it and will continue to work on quality issues. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Group (HPAG) and position HPAG as a thought-partner and ally for Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, gaining the ear of the Ambassador and his team for future influencing; highlight the prominence of Canadian international non governmental organizations (INGOs) within the humanitarian sector globally, highlighting the proportion and significance of Canadian aid; and to understand the Ambassador’s priorities and key next steps as he embarks on a new mandate. International Development. Discussion showcasing the results from our Nature Positive project which is part of the Partnering for Climate (P4C) program. The project responds to poverty and hunger, addressing climate change and building long-term economic resilience in sub-Saharan Africa. We asked for support in ensuring Canada’s next climate finance commitment prioritizes smallholder farmers and their communities in the Global South in adapting to climate change. International development. Discussion on Canada's official development assistance (ODA) and the need for it to prioritize food security. As a global leader in agriculture and food, Canada should help communities around the world dealing with rising food prices, climate change and conflict by prioritizing support for agriculture and food systems in its ODA. International development and international relations. Discussion on the importance of focusing on food security in humanitarian efforts, in light of the expected cuts to development funding. Additionally, discussion on the importance of official development assistance (ODA), alongside trade and economic stability to Canada, highlighting that ODA facilitates other aspects of international relationships. Discussion about Canada's official development assistance, its value to Canadian foreign policy and an appeal for Canada not to reduce aid but to show global leadership following the USAID cuts and decreases in aid budgets by some donor countries. Discussion about Canada's official development aid (ODA) and its valu

research into blockchain technology in traceability programs, Business risk management programs, Livestock Tax Deferral, Livestock Price Insurance, Agristability, Animal Health programs. Regulations and legislation related to beef cattle and meat production, exports and imports. Market access for beef and cattle, achieving new and defending existing trade agreements. Farm policy and programs with respect to business risk management, innovation, environment, etc. "Taxation policies and programs related to farm income, capital gains, generational transfer of assets, family income sharing, investment income, and tax deferrals for extraordinary revenue due to inventory liquidation during a declared disaster."