Rechie Valdez

CFIB supports the principle behind the Canada Jobs Grant but encourages flexibility in its implementation and consideration of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)' needs. For example, introducing a permanent refundable tax credits for co-op and internship hires and reducing red tape from programs like Canada Summer Jobs to make it easier for small businesses to continue hiring youth. Advocating on behalf of small and medium-sized businesses to facilitate trade between Canada and other countries (CAN-US tariffs, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Chinese tariffs). Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shares its suggestions for Budget 2026 focusing on: reducing the small business tax rate from 9% to 6% and increasing the small business deduction (SBD) threshold to $700,000 and index it to inflation going forward. Canada is experiencing an “entrepreneurial drought”: a sustained period where business closures consistently outpace new business starts, leading to a shrinking entrepreneurial base and declining confidence in entrepreneurship. CFIB recommends that reversing this trend should be treated as a national economic priority. Sharing small businesses' views on Labour Code changes, impact on small businesses and the need to ensure the fluidity of the supply chain. Sharing survey results on improving CFIA customer service to encourage the review of their operations to better meet the needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) - reducing red tape and facilitating food mobility within Canada. Sharing data information and recommendations related to the state of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) overall and for specific sectors which could also include provincial data. Promoting reforms to the Competition Act that will ensure small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete in today’s economy, especially as small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have noted an increase in large corporate giants within Canada. Shipping costs pose a significant barrier for small business, as such we continue to advocate for favourable shipping rates with carriers (including the cost of shipping along with better service levels and addressing the work stoppage at Canada Post). Presenting the views of small business owners based on our survey data to the Canada Revenue Agency to share ways of improving customer service interactions with small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to ease the tax burden on small business owners as well as increase accountability within the agency. CFIB continues to monitor the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Act on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and other issues raised related to the mandate of Health Canada. We also continue to monitor customer service interactions between our members and Health Canada. Any issues are raised with officials. CFIB advocates for simplification to the federal procurement process on behalf of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Lobbying to reduce Red Tape by focusing on removing interprovincial trade barriers, facilitating labour mobility and improving government customer service. This includes providing input for the consultations on the Annual Regulatory Modernization Bill. Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax Administration with regards to Transitional Rules, Out of Province Sales Rules, Point-of-Sale Rebate, and fillings. Retirement Income Policies, and proposed Canada Pension Plan increases. CFIB is against mandatory increases in Canada Pension Plan, and has provided alternative approaches. CFIB has also shared recommendations to reduce disincentives to work for older workers. Presenting the views of small business owners on infrastructure spending through member survey results, mandate votes and other CFIB research. Offering funding solutions and alternatives to government proposals on transit and infrastructure expansion. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

Advocating for upholding Canada's commitments to international human rights. Advocating for the protection of freedom of religion in Canada and with respect to the reasonable accommodation of religious observances. Advocating for stronger legislation to address hate crime and online hate. Advocating for policy initiatives related to combating Islamophobia and discrimination; Supporting various programs to protect fundamental freedoms in Canada. Advocating for policies to enhance the security and safety of Canadian Muslim communities and other at-risk communities given the rise in hate crimes; countering supremacist violent extremist groups

Strategies to prevent gender-based violence through firearm safety measures, including national firearms buyback program Advancing investments, policies and programs around caregiving and the care economy with a gender equity focus, including supporting the majority-women community services workforce. Investments in Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care, rollout of childcare agreements across Canada. Women's Housing and Homelessness, ensuring a gender equity lens in federal housing policy and affordable housing investments, and the renewal of funding for housing dedicated to women. We are seeking investments in women's labour market participation, including investments in re-skilling programs that are gender-responsive. Advancing policies, programs and investments in gender-based violence prevention and intervention, including the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Federal budget with respect to investments in the social service sector for funding the supports the mental health of frontline community service workers. Addressing online hate and technology-facilitated violence through online safety legislation, policies or regulations.

CVCA previously co-administered the Start Up Visa Program's Venture Capital stream in partnership with the IRCC. The program allowed Venture Capital funds in CVCA's membership to apply for designated entity status and recommend entrepreneurs and start ups in their portfolio to apply for Canadian permanent residency. Throughout CVCA's contractual relationship with IRCC, the program led to a select and curated number of entrepreneurs growing businesses in Canada with financial backing. CVCA engaged in ongoing conversations with IRCC and provided regular reports. IRCC terminated all SUV contractual relationships in 2024, however, CVCA remains engaged in proactive conversations with IRCC Program officials who oversee the SUV program and who have relationships with CVCA's designated members. CVCA sees value in this program and maintains communication with IRCC on possible future improvements. The CVCA advocates for policies and a regulatory environment that is conducive to stimulating investment. A competitive tax and investment regime that rewards the risks associated with the private capital asset?class is vital for the growth of private equity and venture capital across economic sectors. CVCA’s efforts ensure Canadian companies can access necessary funding amidst challenges such as tightening credit markets, competition for capital, and economic uncertainties, to drive innovation and economic growth, ultimately fostering a resilient and diversified economy for future generations. CVCA also advocates for sustained and predictable access to capital, championing public-private co-investment initiatives. The Venture Capital Action Plan/Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative is still rolling out, matching private capital allocations to disbursed government dollars. CVCA continues to engage with industry and government to ensure awareness within the VC ecosystem and monitoring the flow of funds, underscoring the importance of Canada's VC Emerging Managers and their important role in allocating capital to riskier and underserved corners of the innovation ecosystem. The CVCA actively advocates for a strong and competitive tax and investment environment that attracts and rewards private investment in Canadian entrepreneurial ventures. We provide valuable insights and data to support effective tax policies. Strategically crafted policies can ensure that Canada remains an attractive destination for private capital, which is necessary to drive economic growth, job creation, and innovation. CVCA engages with policymakers to convey perspectives from the private capital industry, and the current economic context.

CEFA is aiming to engage federal elected officials to build awareness for their brand and presence across Canada. Specifically, they are aiming to build awareness for the facilities in communities in which they operate.

Advocacy related to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, as it pertains to youth employment in the restaurant industry. Advocacy related to the National Food Security Strategy, as it pertains to food cost drivers affecting restaurants, food loss and waste, and domestic production capacity and supply chain barriers. Advocacy related to enhancing accelerated investment incentives and seeking modifications to small business deduction eligibility, to better support capital investments for restaurants. Advocacy related to the renewal and continued federal funding of the International Convention Attraction Fund, including a request for a commitment of $10 million annually over four years. Communicating with and arranging meetings with Public Office Holders to discuss the benefits of removing GST on all food in Canada Communicating with the Government of Canada regarding Budget 2026 as it pertains to immigration cuts affecting labour shortages. Engaging the Government of Canada on US led tariffs and the Government of Canada's response as they impact the foodservices industry. Tax policy on alcohol (escalator excise tax). Taxation policy with regard to corporate, small business and personal income taxes Regulations and policies regarding fees to SOCAN and ReSound Regulations and policies pertaining to Canada Pension Plan employer/employee premiums Regulation of financial institutions with respect to credit card fees Nutritional labeling policy with respect to provision of nutrition information Immigration policy with respect to workers programs and permits Healthy Eating Strategy - to ensure that policy and regulation proposals on the restriction of unhealthy food and beverage marketing to children, sodium reduction initiatives, menu labelling requirements, related initiatives are balanced, reasonable and science-based. Providing input into Health Canada's Healthy Eating Strategy consultations. Environmental regulations regarding plastics and recycling Employment Insurance with respect to policy for establishing premium rates Economic Strategy Tables - Continue to work closely with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in contributing to Canada's Economic Strategy Tables by ensuring the discussion help reflect the concerns of our industry Chicken and Turkey Tariff Rate Quota Advisory Committee (TQAC) regarding import quota Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) regarding annual dairy pricing Amendments to the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act to exempt wines purchased by restaurants regarding the transportation and sale of beverage between provinces. Agriculture trade policy with regard to trade liberalization opportunities

Issues that affect the bakery sector in Canada - trade, supply, skilled workers, education Voluntary Sodium Reduction: provide comments and recommendations to Health Canada on adjustments to voluntary sodium reduction targets for baked goods. Providing a baking industry perspective to Health Canada's consultation “Toward Front-of-Package Labels for Canadians”. Grocery Code of Conduct: advocate for introduction of a grocery code of conduct with the objective of bringing fairness into the business relations between large retailers and their suppliers. Environment and Climate Change Canada Zero Plastic Waste initiative which seeks to ban single use plastics. Provide program with information related to the use of single use plastics in the baking industry and rational for their use. Work to seek alternatives. COVID-19: Advocate for bakery workers and their supply chain to receive vaccine prioritization after vulnerable populations, health care workers and first responders. CFIA Openness and Transparency Policy: provide baking industry perspective along with amendments. Canadian Food Inspection Agency Regulatory Modernization Regulations: provide baking industry input on proposed changes

Safe Food for Canadians, Labelling, Ingredients and Product Standards, Food Safety and Food Security, Good Manufacturing Practices, Food Standards (domestic and international alignments and best practices) Financial impacts to the bakery sector: tariffs, input exemptions, cost and federal budget to support bakery and food manufacturing. Policy and Regulatory Harmonization - domestic and international trade regulations - food safety, inspections, ingredients, specifications, customs and borders Issues impacting - Labour and Skills, Labour Policy, Immigration, Foreign Workers, International Students Domestic and International Trade - Policy and Regulations Provide insight and updates on the Canadian bakery sector from an agriculture perspective. Discuss support and impact to address challenges, voiced by BAC members. Public Health Agency consultation Our Health, Our Future: A National Dialogue on Healthy Weights including Curbing Childhood Obesity relating to the role food processors may play in the contribution to healthy diets Provide a baking industry response and input to compliance issues and proposals that impact the industry - food safety, manufacturing changes or requirements, such as Health Canada's proposed new allowable mycotoxin levels in wheat sold for food consumption. Health Canada Serving Size Consultation on proposed Guidance Principle Document. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency review allowable limits of allergens such as soy and mustard allergens in wheat flour Health Canada's Acrylamide Monitoring Program with respect to the Acrylamide levels in select bakery foods. Canadian Food Inspection Agency Regulatory Modernization Proposal: provide baking industry input on proposed regulations Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Imported Food Sector Regulatory Proposal, which would require the licensing of importers of identified foods and food ingredients Canada-European Union Trade Negotiations: providing information and comment to Canadian government regarding potential impact of proposed trade negotiations on Canada's baking sector. Advocate and participate in discussions concerning global supply challenges and issues that impact the baking industry in Canada

Temporary Foreign Worker Program - with respect to meeting the needs of Canada's emerging technology-based businesses. National Research Council Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program – with respect to funding programs supporting small-medium and large sized (SMEs) enterprises Invest Canada - with respect to attracting foreign investors in digital media, information, communications and technology companies International Science and Technology Partnership Program – with respect to exchanging knowledge between Canadian companies and foreign countries Income Tax Act - Amendment to the Income Tax Act with respect to angel investors Global Opportunites for Associations - with respect to facilitating SME experience aboard FedDev Ontario - Regional Innovation Ecosystem Program – with respect to scaleup platform work Employment and Social Development Canada - Opportunities to fund skills and training programs in Waterloo Region Centre of Excellence in Research and Commercialization - with respect to bringing new technologies to market to create more companies, jobs and wealth in Canada. Building in Canada Fund - with respect to Two-way Go Train service linking Waterloo Region to the Greater Toronto Area

Seeking funding for the establishment and scale-up of the First Nations Procurement Authority (FNPA) to enhance Indigenous business certification and procurement participation. Seeking funding to support digital and in-person services for Indigenous entrepreneurs through the national expansion of the Indigenous Business Centre of Excellence. Seeking funding to scale Indigenous-led tourism development through the delivery of the Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream and related initiatives. Seeking funding to advance Indigenous housing finance solutions through support for the Yänonhchia’ model, enabling access to homeownership in First Nations communities. Seeking stable funding and access to capital (loan program) from the government to support Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs), as well as women and youth entrepreneurial programs across Canada.

Seeking stable funding and access to capital (loan program) from the government to support Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs), as well as women and youth entrepreneurial programs across Canada.

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.