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Ratna Omidvar

Senator, Senate of Canada0 communications in the past year

Lobbied by

Canadian Bureau for International Education

4

Advocating for easier exchange of students between foreign countries and Canada

Discussion on how immigration policy and programs relating to international students can be improved to meet Canada’s economic and foreign policy goals and sharing the impacts of policy and program changes on the education sector in Canada. Advocating for the role of international education in advancing Canada’s international trade, development and diplomatic goals.

Canadian Red Cross

4

Increase support and funding on issues related to global migration and forced displacement, including on operational responses to new arrivals in Canada. Engage in governmental dialogue on issues related to international humanitarian law (IHL), with specific reference to ensuring the protection of populations experiencing increased vulnerabilities and the delivery of humanitarian assistance during times of armed conflict. Build support and obtain grant funding for community service organizations in Canada. Build support for health and public initiatives, including but not limited to supports targeted to mental health and seniors. Increase support and investment in diverse programming for indigenous communities, including preparedness, risk reduction, emergency response and recovery. Secure investments in readiness for all-hazard response, including health emergencies and public health crises in Canada and around the world.

Imagine Canada

4

Communications about the review of the Lobbying Act, including the Commissioner of Lobbying’s recommendations to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. Discussion about the impact of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review on the Nonprofit sector Preparation for e-filing webinars for charities; Discussion about the Comprehensive Expenditure Review Supporting implementation of Senate Committee recommendations on the charitable sector. Addressing disruptions to donations due to postal strikes; tax credit timing adjustments. Advocating for financial relief and policy responses to emergencies and rising issues (e.g., tariffs). Inclusion of charities in SME-focused programs like Mitacs and BDC advisory services. Budget consultations re: charitable giving incentives, regulatory reforms, and program access. Bill S-222 and S-216: Amendments enabling partnerships with non-qualified donees. Support for the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience and digital skills development. Supporting sector-wide digital capacity and transformation. Advancing reform of the disbursement quota for registered charities. Improving access and equity in federal funding programs for nonprofits and charities. Strengthening workforce supports for paid and unpaid nonprofit labour. Supporting federal data collection (e.g., Satellite Account, national nonprofit surveys). Advocating for a federal “home” in government for the nonprofit sector. Building knowledge on the activities of the nonprofit sector.

WORLD VISION CANADA

4

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.

Canadian Federation of Agriculture

2

National Food Security Strategy - Agriculture should be treated as a national priority, given its central role in food security, economic growth, and global stability. A national food security strategy should put farmers and food production at its core by improving access to capital, protecting farmland, stabilizing input supplies, accelerating innovation through more efficient regulation, expanding value-added processing, addressing labour shortages, and modernizing transportation and supply chain infrastructure through a whole-of-government approach. Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) – with respect to the upcoming 2026 review of Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, the priority for Canadian agriculture is a full 16-year renewal without reopening existing provisions, while preserving science-based rules, particularly SPS, biotechnology, and technical barrier provisions, strong dispute settlement, and predictable market access that support farmers, trade, and food security. Dedicated Agriculture and Agri-Food Infrastructure Funding Stream - to establish a dedicated agriculture and agri-food infrastructure stream within federal programming to improve access, coordination, and impact of national infrastructure projects for the agricultural sector. A persistent gap exists for mid-scale, regionally specific projects that fall between innovation programming and large-scale infrastructure programming. Key needs for agriculture include logistics corridors, processing and storage capacity, water and irrigation systems, energy infrastructure, and digital connectivity. Bill C-273, An Act to amend the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Seeds Act, the Pest Control Products Act and the Food and Drugs Act - with respect to the need to accelerate access to new tools and technologies by leveraging trusted jurisdictions' risk and science-based decisions to streamline approval timelines and use use mechanisms such as conditional approvals to bring safe, innovative products to market faster for the agricultural sector. Plant and Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Capacity - Calling on the Government of Canada to increase investment in prevention, surveillance, and response capacity for major plant and animal disease threats, including financial preparedness, international zoning agreements, coordinated federal-provincial-industry response plans, and updated regulatory frameworks, which would help producers maintain export market access, and ensure the resilience of Canada's food system. Expanded Eligibility for Farm Rollover Provisions - expanding farm rollover provisions to a broader range of family members, including nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and stepchildren, to reduce tax barriers to intergenerational farm transfers and sustain investment in the sector as Canada's farm population continues to age, while recognizing the multi-family nature of many farming operations in Canada Critical Farm Input Strategy - to establish a coordinated approach to ensuring Canadian farmers have reliable and timely access to essential inputs such as fertilizer, crop protection products, energy, and veterinary tools that are fundamental to food production, yet availability is increasingly vulnerable to supply chain volatility, geopolitical instability, and regulatory barriers. Tariffs on Critical Farm Inputs: Ensure critical farm inputs are not subject to any potential future countermeasures imposed by the Government of Canada in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. These products include, but are not limited to, certain fertilizer products, farm equipment and machinery, seed (including low erucic acid rape or colza seeds) as well as feed ingredients and veterinary products. Labour Disruptions: Launch consultations with industry representatives and implicated stakeholders to explore options to address the root causes of labour disruptions. Modernize labour laws to establish a clear, transparent, and expedited process for resolving

• EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA – Labour Market Agreements and Labour Market Development Agreements, in respect to improving the ability of the Canadian agricultural industry to continually improve the skills of farmers, and have access to skilled, competitive labour. • TRANSPORT CANADA and CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION AGENCY - - In respect to review of Canada Transportation Act, to ensure that crop farmer and shipper needs are addressed in light of chronic grain rail transportation problems in Western Canada • CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY – Safe Food for Canadians Act, in respect to regulatory modernization within Canada’s food inspection regime and how changes may affect agricultural producers. • HEALTH CANADA/PEST MANAGEMENT REGULATORY AGENCY - Grower Request Own Use Program, in respect of improving the competitiveness of Canadian agriculture by working to reduce the high cost of some crop protection products in Canada vis a vis other countries. • CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY – Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, in respect to food labelling, statements and claims. • HEALTH CANADA/PEST MANAGEMENT REGULATORY AGENCY – Pest Control Products Regulations, in respect of ensuring the science-based assessment and registration of pest control products is carried out in a competitive, healthy and environmentally safe manner that offers agricultural producers with economical input choices. • CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION – Canada Grains Act regulations, in respect to ensuring payment security mechanisms provide adequate protection to producers facing instances of non-payment and/or late payment • AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD CANADA - In respect to review of Canada Transportation Act, to ensure that crop farmer and shipper needs are addressed in light of chronic grain rail transportation problems in Western Canada • AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA/HEALTH CANADA - regulations concerning biotechnology that ensures innovation within the agricultural industry, protection of the health and environment of Canadians, ensures competitive behaviour with regards to the results of biotechnology development, and maintains the rights of farmers to save seed. • AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD CANADA – Growing Forward 2, obtaining contributions for the Federation through funding programs (AgriRisk); ensuring that Canadian farmers are adequately protected from production and market risk. • ENVIRONMENT CANADA – Invasive species programs and policies that aim to mitigate and reverse the threat posed to working landscapes from invasive species. • CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CANADA – Express entry programs, encouraging sufficient avenues to permanent residency for experienced, temporary Canadian farm workers. • STATISTICS CANADA – Census on Agriculture, ensuring accurate data for the Canadian agriculture industry. • CANADA REVENUE AGENCY – Farm Income Reporting, ensuring that financial reporting for farm businesses does not undermine competitiveness. • CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY – Feed regulations, in respect to new and innovative ingredients and ensuring competitiveness. • AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD CANADA – Growing Forward 2, ensuring that Canadian farmers are adequately protected from unforeseen, uncontrollable falls in income due to weather, insects, disease, trade action, market failure or international trade distorting subsidies; and ensuring all cost-shared programming supports continued success in the Canadian agriculture industry. • AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA – Pesticide Risk Reduction Program – to reduce the risk of pesticides and promote alternative approaches to pest management. • STATISTICS CANADA – Crop Production Surveys, ensuring accurate production estimates for the Canadian agriculture industry. • EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA – Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, in respect to ensuring the Canadian agricultural industry has access to skilled, competitive labour. • AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD CANADA – in respect

Colleges and Institutes Canada

2

Targeted federal transfer payments for postsecondary education. Review of the SR&ED Tax Credit Program to encourage greater participation of small and medium-sized businesses and providing mechanisms for colleges and institutes to assist them in the process. Review of the Canada Student Loan Program with respect to increased grants, modernization and simplification measures and increased flexibility for students in debt repayment. Research integrity related issues with respect to the review of the federal granting agencies' policiy framework for research integrity and the Tri-Council Memorandum of Understanding on roles and Responsibilities in the Management of Federal Grants and Awards. Modification of the Employment Insurance Program to enable workers currently in the workforce to access funding for skills upgrading. Introduction of new tax measures to encourage employer/employee based training, address literacy training and essential skills as well as an increase in internships and apprenticeship opportunities. Increase domesting and international student mobility to the mid-point of other OECD countries. Increased federal investments with regard to college and institute costs of supporting applied research through the Indicrect Costs Program. Harmonization and simplification of immigration policies with respect to facilitating study and work permit processes. Federal Investment for a national college and institute mobility program for faculty and student exchanges between Francophone Institutions and Anglophone Institutions. Extension of the 100% GST exemption that has been afforded to municipalities to postsecondary institutions as recommended by the Standing Committee on Finance Expansion of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council College and Community Innovation Program Examination of all federal training programs with the goal of eliminating fragmentation, short term funding and inequities for learners. Enhancement of the federal infrastructure policy with respect to college and institute infrastructure and acquisition of leading edge technology. Enhanced opportunities for Aboriginal learners, immigrants and disadvantaged groups to access postsecondary education and training and labour market. Discussions underway with the Global Affairs Canada regarding a proposal for a new partnership between colleges and institutes and the Pacific Alliance with respect to education and training. Discussions underway with the federal government for recognition of college and institute applied degrees as equal to university degrees as stipulated in a statement by the Council of Ministers. Discussions underway with Statistics Canada for current college and institute data. Discussions underway for a new international partnership program - Education for Employment which will support educational reform of technical education in Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania. Direct 5% of federal investment in research to applied research, product development and commercialization carried out by colleges and institutes and their private sector partners Dedicated funding of college and institute facilities, technology and equipment Creation of a college and Institute Internship Program to expose more students to private sector research challenges. Changes to amend the Copyright Act with respect to support colleges and institutes in their mandate to provide advanced skills and to enable them to better respond to the skills shortage.

Islamic Relief Canada

2

Women and Gender-Equality (WAGE) - Discussion on the gender-based violence (GBV) grant concerning changes to budget line items, extensions on timelines, and updating WAGE staff on the project as needed. Special Representative on Islamophobia - As it related to any suffering/issues our community is facing Global Affairs Canada: Humanitarian assistance and Development grants, women and security policies and programs, humanitarian access policies as it relates to NGO operations Foreign Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety, and Justice as it relates to international development, specifically looking at legislation and policies relating to humanitarian access and humanitarian work (For example, Canada's criminal code and sanctions regime) Canada Revenue Agency Rules and Regulations as it pertains to auditing charities

Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims

1

Advocate to government for justice and truth for victims of flight PS752 and their families.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

1

Youth employment with respect to the Youth Employment Strategy and Canada Summer Jobs. Seeking funding to support front line workers in the charitable sector with mental health and burnout Seeking funding from the Public Health Agency for a food literacy program Seeking funding for mental health training for front line staff working with children and youth to better support youth mental health outcomes Seeking funding for impact evaluation for out of school programming for children and youth Seeking funding for before and after school programs for children, youth and families Seeking funding for a program that introduces young people to the science, technology, engineering, arts/design, and math fields. Federal budget with respect to investments in the social service sector, and programs for children and youth Child and youth mental health, with respect to prevention and early intervention Canadian government's policies and programs with respect to crime prevention and restorative justice for youth. Canada's policies and programs with respect to programs and supports for Indigenous children and youth. Advocate for the adoption of Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program, with respect to the implementation of a countrywide school food program Advocate for the adoption of Bill C-273, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Corinne’s Quest and the protection of children), in order to repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code Advocate for policies and programs concerning child and youth rights, including to prevent identity-based hate and corporal punishment Adoption and implementation of the Spirit Bear Plan

Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network

1

Assist CanFASD in advocating for the development of a National FASD Strategy.

Recent activity

Sep 26, 2024
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Jul 9, 2024
Jul 8, 2024
Jul 6, 2024
Jason Tuffs contacted Ratna Omidvar on behalf of MNP
May 27, 2024
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