Sarah MacEachern

Securing funding to expand CMHA programs, funding for mental health and mental health research Development of national standards for access to mental health services. Arranging meetings and outreach with public office holders to discuss mental health and addictions policy, service delivery, and programs.

Establishing a Federal Co-operative Investment Plan, inspired by the one in Quebec. Educating Parliamentarians, staffers and public servants on the co-operative model, the advantages and challenges faced by co-ops. Lack of awareness causes oversight and issues in programs and policies, when co-operatives should have access to the Business support and other programs offered by, or supported by, the government. Ensuring increased support to co-operatives and social enterprises, as underserved business models, by the BDC. As per the recent Legislative Review, co-operatives are significantly underserved by the BDC. Carbon Rebate for Small Business - Ensuring that co-operatives and credit unions are qualify, as they are currently excluded. Discuss the pro-active inclusion of co-operatives and social enterprises, in the procurement process. CMC would like co-operatives to be both eligible and prioritized in government procurement programs. Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy. Advocating for renewal of commitments related to the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy, such as the Investment Readiness Program and SISF-related funding for co-operatives. Promoting Business Conversions to Co-operatives as a means of safeguarding jobs and economic drivers in communities Harmonizing tax rules and incentives related to Employee-Ownership Trusts, to ensure that business succession (conversions) to employee-owned worker co-operatives are eligible. To review and propose possible changes to the Canadian Co-operative Act To promote the renewal of the Tax-deferred Co-operative Share Program to help agricultural co-operatives meet their capitalization needs and remain a viable option for agribusinesses while allowing Canadian co-operatives to be stronger in the face of international competitors. To expand the definitions and exemption criteria so that all qualifying co-operatives can remain eligible for the Small Business Deduction (SBD). Support or investment in the Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund which provides patient capital and lending to finance the capitalization of new and emerging co-operatives. The fund exists and was set up with $25 million from the co-operative sector. Review and propose changes to the Income Tax Act, in terms of the treatment of Indivisible Reserves in co-operatives. Amounts earmarked for Indivisible resserves cannot return to members and as such those amounts are thus outside the governments' definition of "for-profit", Investments in co-operative-led programs to provide bridges to employment, support entrepreneurship, safeguard local businesses, create jobs and make life more affordable for Canadians, in particular women, newcomers, Indigenous people, youth, and Canadians living in rural communities. Establishing a Canadian Co-operative Capacity Building Program (CCBP) equipped with federal funding to help co-operatives either start up, scale up, gain skills and expertise, and or prepare for their next steps.

The overreliance of the federal government on the use of temporary help agencies, consultants and contracting out to agencies rather than using the talents, skills and expertise of indeterminant federal public service workers. The changes to the Public Service Superannuation Act which increased the retirement age for federal public service workers from 60 to 65 years as of 2013. Public-private partnerships and privatization/contracting out public government services and asset. Pay equity including improvements to pay equity legislation, and with respect to the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act. Labour Program with respect to health and safety. Federal public service payroll and compensation systems including: Phoenix pay system; damages/compensation in connection with Phoenix pay system (including the taxability of such damages/compensation); all other matters related to Phoenix and pay; the development of a new generation pay system Federal public service group insurance benefit plans including; health and dental care benefits, disability insurance, and life insurance and how these benefits are administered. Federal pension law reform including rules and regulations with respect to solvency requirements, and protection against the conversion of defined benefit plans to target benefit plans. Enhancements and improvements to federal women's programs by Women and Gender Equality Canada, including the funding of women's advocacy groups. Also, engaging with the federal government on pay equity issues. Employment Insurance with respect to coverage, benefits, premiums and service delivery. Child care with respect to a national, publicly-funded child care system Changes to the Employment Equity Act, improving equity and inclusion within the public service and overall human rights application within places of work. Canada Post Corporation with regard to the privatization of Canada Post and with respect to the Canada Post Pension Plan. Canada Pension Plan/Québec Pension Plan: improvements, including in benefit levels and expansion of coverage. Anti-scab legislation and the Canada Labour Code in respect of replacement workers, minimum employment standards and health and safety.