Rachel Thomas

CYBER SECURITY - Encourage the government to invest in cybersecurity innovation, talent, and infrastructure; 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. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - Advocate for future-proofed, globally competitive, and interoperable policies that position artificial intelligence as a positive economic driver, and support the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI in business. PRIVACY AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION - Ensure that the modernization of Canada’s privacy legislation strikes the right balance between protecting consumers and promoting the ability of firms to innovate and compete by responsibly and securely using data. HOUSING - Support policies that enable the creation of more housing supply, incentivize investment in residential construction, and restore housing affordability for Canadian families. NATIONAL SECURITY/ECONOMIC SECURITY - Advancing policies related to enhancing Canada’s economic and national security. Key priorities include strengthening economic resilience, prudently navigating geopolitical challenges to trade and international relations, safeguarding business operations against new and emerging threats, and fostering conditions for economic growth. TRANSPORTATION - Regarding the consistent funding of trade-enabling infrastructure projects; the development of a competitive and efficient transportation network including all modes of transportation. TELECOMMUNICATIONS - Creating the right investment incentives to foster vibrant competition in the sector as a whole; responding to decisions regarding third-party access that will impact the deployment of internet services in rural and remote communities; and responding to regulatory proposals re: cell phone pricing. TAXATION AND FINANCE – With regard to undertaking a comprehensive and independent tax system review. 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; removing tax barriers for childcare expenses; addressing the taxation of family business transfers; and mobilizing private capital for recovery and growth. TAXATION AND FINANCE - With regard to modernizing our financial systems through open banking and digital currencies TAXATION AND FINANCE - Responding to proposals addressing taxation of digital services. TAXATION AND FINANCE - Maintaining and expanding real-time data made freely available to Canadian businesses, municipalities, academic researchers, and community groups. SMALL BUSINESS – Legislation, regulations and support programs that give Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the tools to grow in Canada and internationally, including reducing their red tape and compliance burden. PRIVACY AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION - Improving digital privacy legislation to meet the needs of industry. PENSIONS - Treatment of corporate pensions in the event of bankruptcy. NATURAL RESOURCES - Support for the adoption of policy recommendations to strengthen Canada’s world-leading position in the mining industry, oil and gas, and forestry products. OPEN DATA - Maintaining and expanding real-time data made freely available to Canadian businesses, municipalities, academic researchers, and community groups. 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. INTERNATIONAL TRADE – With respect to issues relating to import and export controls INTERNATIONAL TRADE - Negotiating bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements and promoting them to Canadian businesses. INTERNATIONAL TRADE - Improving federal laws and regulations pertaining to responsible business conduct r

As per the Government of Canada's commitments related to children's health and well-being and the protection of their rights, the object of Children First Canada's lobbying is to build support for policies and investments that improve the lives of 8 million young Canadians.

DWCC is actively seeking grants to support programs that improve wireless communication access and services for Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing Canadians. These efforts aim to advance equitable access to telecommunications through sustainable funding for accessibility-focused initiatives.

Review of CRTC Roadmap Workforce Development and Training supports - requesting partnership for a workforce needs assessment of the film and TV sector and the stage and stage craft sector. Ongoing concerns with CUSMA; Canada/US trade relationship Seeking a change to the Income Tax Act to amend the definition of "labour expenditure" and "Canadian labour expenditure" in the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. Development of a Labour Based Live Performance Tax Credit;

We plan on engaging the government to provide more pathways to safety for LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, plus) persons/refugees. We plan on engaging government to provide a policy for internally displaced LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, plus) persons to be refugees to Canada.

Implications of lawful access legislation, C-22 on telecommunications service providers Provide information on the consultation processes between the CRTC and telecommunication providers. Government measures to combat financial crimes and fraud Matters related to internet connectivity for new housing developments in Canada and Build Canada Homes. Lawful access requirements of Electronic Service Providers as outlined in Bill C-2, "Strong Borders Act." Policies and regulations relating to First Nations identification and eligibility for affordable telecommunications services. Policies and regulations related to the operation of Rogers Bank, with respect to financial sector regulations governing the Bank including issues under the Bank Act and consumer protection regulations. Matters related to Rogers’ acquisition of further shares in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Canada, US, Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA), specifically provisions related to copyright, culture, telecommunications and broadcasting. Matters relating to Canada’s cybersecurity, specifically issues relating to public/ private partnerships designed to prevent the disruption of critical infrastructure and cyber systems. Policies, consultations and regulations related to the Broadcasting Act, Online News Act, Telecommunications Act, Copyright Act, and PIPEDA, the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Spectrum and telecommunications policies including wireless networks and roaming, spectrum auctions and digital economy, satellite to mobile technology, as well as public safety broadband network. Commitments related to the acquisition of Shaw Communications. Policies and programs that promote equity of opportunities and address accessibility issues for Canadians. Issues pertaining to professional sports and sport programs in Canada, alongside policies related to a growing Canadian sports economy. Broadcasting policies and regulations related to a modernized broadcasting system that fosters competition in the Canadian industry. Broadband policies and regulations, including rural broadband, the measurement of internet performance, competitive dynamics of broadband and availability of wholesale internet access and affordable internet. Bringing awareness of rising rates of network theft, tampering and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, retail robberies and sharing industry experiences of a need for criminal justice responses. Implementation of Bill C-18, the Online News Act, which gained royal assent in June 2023, as well as production supports for Canadian local news. Marketing of food and beverages to children as it relates to Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), specifically provisions related to copyright, culture, telecommunications and broadcasting. Telecommunications industry experiences with emergency outages and resolutions in the context of Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012. Single event sports betting, as it relates to the impact on gaming in Canada. Safety Code 6, limits for exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy Radiocommunications Act, specifically sections related to satellite signal theft. Procurement policies, specifically polices related to mobile devices and associated support services and solutions. Policies related to the adoption of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) by Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs). Corporate taxation under the Income Tax Act, specifically the calculation of tax on digital infrastructure, the calculation of Capital Cost Allowance (“CCA”) and the calculation of country-by-country (“CbC”) reporting. Copyright Act, specifically sections related to fairing dealing, anti-piracy and claimed infringement. An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act and the Personal Information and Date Protection Tribunal

Educating on the unique challenges and opportunities, such as housing, infrastructure, and community development, faced by rural Alberta municipalities. Seek opportunities for the development and construction of climate-resilient infrastructure in rural Alberta communities.