Richard Davis

New funding programs created by Canada Council for the Arts. Examination of funding opportunities for facility improvement under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. Creation of new cultural export programs under the Budget plan for Showcasing Cultural Exports Abroad. Advocating for a $20 million annual increase to Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives component. Advocate for COVID-19 economic supports to incentivize charitable donations and support operating expenses for the arts and culture sector.

Eligibility and application to funding programs created by Canada Council for the Arts Examination of funding opportunities related to infrastructure, tourism, and regional development. Creation of new cultural export programs under the Budget plan for Showcasing Cultural Exports Abroad Advocating for an annual increase to Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives component.

Pursue infrastructure funding through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for the redevelopment of the Canadian Opera Company's Front Street, Toronto location. Increased funding for the Canada Cultural Investment Fund

Advocating for financial supports from the federal government that will support Domingos Meats with their expansion efforts, allowing for the onshoring of pork processing in Ontario and reach of new markets, including across Canada and international.

Arts funding including funds to keep the organization viable, to fund new revenue streams (tax credits for live performance industry) and tourism recovery/growth efforts; increased funding for the Canada Council for the Arts. Source of the funding may include: Heritage, Tourism, Economic Development, CRA/Revenue.

Discussion of upskilling cyber security capabilities within the workforce of law enforcement to combat domestic and transnational crime. A conversation regarding AI-focused data centre infrastructure in Canada, including dedicated sovereign capacity, to retain economic value, strengthen domestic innovation capacity, and reinforce Canada’s position as a global AI leader. Introduction to the Rogers' Cybersecure Catalyst's mandate and scope of work across cybersecurity training, entrepreneurship, research, policy development, and public education for individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations of all sizes. Discussion to support robust government regulation to curb harmful content, with calls for measures addressing online harms such as removing child sexual abuse material, labelling AI-generated content, and increasing parental controls. Discussion regarding the development of an AI Intelligence Unit to supplement the work of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology Measurement Program (TechStat) Briefed about community based seniors services sector. Discussed Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements. Suggested amendments on Bill C-16 about coercive control to include non-intimate partner relationships (relatives and caregivers) to ensure equal protection for older adults. Email with an endorsed letter supporting TMU's National Institute on Aging's proposal for amending the Canadian Pension Plan to implement a Pension Delay Guarantee policy Conversation about TMU's Creative School and the implications of Artificial Intelligence and workforce development, SME adoption, applied research, and sector-wide innovation in the creative sector Conversation about TMU's National Institute on Aging's proposal for amending the Canadian Pension Plan to implement a Pension Delay Guarantee policy Discussion about the innovation economy, emerging technology, and business adoption with government leaders as part of the Innovative Economy table with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Discussion of National Cyber Strategy and its integration with specific needs for small and medium businesses related to workforce development Discussion of cyber capacity building in Indo-Pacific Region and Latin America Conversation about innovation in housing as a follow-up to funding that was received from Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario for the Centre for Housing Innovation Conversation regarding the development and adaption dual-use technology Conversation about IP Clinic Program, specifically regarding client and student experiences within the program and about Canada’s IP landscape. Conversation with FedDev ON to discuss a funding proposal for building national defence capacity and a discussion about programming to include supporting ON based SMBs to position themselves to sell into Canadian defence supply chains Discussion to introduce the Diversity Institute and it's work to the policy team at WAGE Conversation about the Industrial Research Program with the new advisor to help with advice, connections, and to help with Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity. Discussion about a potential project at TMU's School of Engineering Discussing artificial intelligence, adoption, and impacts on workforce skills/labour market. Conversation about veteran transition and mental health initiatives that the university offers Conversation about financial literacy and tax education research Conversation about arctic and northern community research Conversation about workforce development to drive innovation and collaboration in the labour market by developing digital solutions and fostering partnerships that enhance connectivity and inclusivity and creating Northern Ontario partnerships Conversation about the modernization of student financial aid and digital inclusion Discussion about school of medicine and health force expansion Conversation around capital funding and student housing Conversation about primar

Government funding for the orchestra sector, notably through the Canada Council for the Arts, Department of Canadian Heritage, and FedDev Ontario.

Promoting Business Sustainability and Industry Competitiveness – TIAC promotes optimal forms of government intervention that support the competitiveness of Canada’s tourism companies via public grants, tax credits, repayable financing contributions and policies and programs that augment entrepreneurship, innovation and commercial protections. During this critical period as the sector looks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, TIAC is working to ensure that government loans provided through the CEBA, RRRF, HASCAP and related initiatives have an optimal impact through guidelines and repayment conditions that are conducive to business growth. Improving Access for Visitors to and within Canada – TIAC supports the efficient movement of travellers to and within Canada through enhancements to the visitor visa process in order to meet international demand for travel to Canada. TIAC also works to ensure that regulations and policies related to transportation, air travel, waterways and ports of entry are developed and implemented to optimally connect, and not impede, domestic and international travellers to urban and rural destinations, key attractions, sporting events, and business meetings in Canada. Developing and Promoting World-class Tourism Assets – Ensuring Canada maintains and promotes the development of world-class tourism assets requires considerable investment from both public and private sources. TIAC advocates for continued investment, particularly in respect to under-serviced communities, and effective promotion of existing assets as well as the development of new, more competitive ones for both Canadian and world travellers to discover and experience. TIAC’s efforts on this front include monitoring and raising policy issues that directly affect Indigenous tourism development with a goal of empowering Indigenous communities in generating their own economies while also providing Canadians and foreign visitors alike the opportunity to connect with Indigenous peoples and to experience their unique and diverse culture in a deeply meaningful way. Building a Regenerative and Inclusive Tourism Industry – TIAC works with government to support a tourism sector that is more resilient, sustainable, and equitable through priority investment in regenerative tourism and specialized recruitment programs for equity seeking groups. Attracting and Retaining a Sustainable Tourism Workforce – TIAC supports the creation and optimization of policy and programs aimed at addressing the significant labour shortages that now exist in the tourism sector due to the affects of restrictive public health measures, border closures, and increased operational costs that were related to the COVID-19 pandemic. TIAC also advocates for a strong tourism workforce via regulations and policies in regard to immigration, including issues related to pathways to permanent-residency and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.