Shawn Porter

Communications regarding funding from various Government funding programs, opportunities to improve government activity (funding, tax incentives, clinical trials infrastructure, etc) to encourage the innovation economy in Canada with a specific focus on biotech, and programs around procurement opportunities for the Government of Canada relating to biotechnology products.

The proposed financial sector legislative review focused on the digitalization of money and maintaining financial sector stability and security as announced in Budget 2022. Provisions of Bill C-47 (44-1), the Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1, as they relate to the availability of input tax credits to persons providing digital asset mining. Department of Finance draft legislative proposals (“Legislative and Regulatory Proposals Relating to the Excise Tax Act, the Air Travellers Security Charge Act, the Excise Act, 2001 and the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and Explanatory Notes”) dated February 4, 2022, as they impact the GST/HST treatment of digital asset mining, specifically the availability of input tax credits to persons providing digital asset mining.

Provisions of Bill C-47 (44-1), the Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1, as they relate to the availability of input tax credits to persons providing digital asset mining. Department of Finance draft legislative proposals (“Legislative and Regulatory Proposals Relating to the Excise Tax Act, the Air Travellers Security Charge Act, the Excise Act, 2001 and the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and Explanatory Notes”) dated February 4, 2022, as they impact the GST/HST treatment of digital asset mining, specifically the availability of input tax credits to persons providing digital asset mining.

We are seeking to clarify that changes to the Excise Tax Act in Bill C-47 (2023) about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining do not apply to miners that sell their hashrate to mining pools that are located outside of Canada, and that we will be able to claim Input Tax Credits as a result. Our work has been focused on educating officials and bureaucrats on the nature of our work and the impact the industry has on the global cryptocurrency and digital asset mining climate. Speaking with elected officials and government bureaucrats about bitcoin mining as it relates to taxation. Specifically, the Government of Canada proposed amendments to the Excise Tax Act, in February 2022, which will increase the cost of conducting digital asset mining operation in Canada (i.e. computer and IT technology, energy costs, professional and consulting fees) by five to fifteen percent (5% - 15%) significantly impacting our operations. Our primary focus, working with a coalition, has been to educate public officials and encourage consultation on a new and rapidly evolving industry so that they can effectively take cryptocurrency mining into consideration when prescribing tax policies. Speaking with elected officials and government bureaucrats about bitcoin mining as it relates to energy use. At this time, Hut 8 does not have specific policy aims related to energy use; rather, our primary focus has been to educate public officials and encourage further consultation on a new and rapidly evolving industry so that they can effectively take blockchain technologies into consideration when prescribing policies and maximize economic benefit to Canada.

Advocating for federal support and policies to develop and deploy Small Modular Rectors and promote the nuclear industry to meet Canada's Climate change goals within Canada and assist Canada in its transition to a low carbon economy Bill C-65 - an Act to amend the Canada Elections Act - advocating for amendments to the legislation to allow membership based organizations to be able to have member to member communication during a Federal Election which maybe currently prohibited Conversations with Government and elected officials regarding the use of Temporary Foreign Workers at Stellantis plant in Ontario Foreign Workers Program - with respect to Foreign Credentials and Temporary Workers Federal Budget - with respect to infrastructure funding, tax incentives for skilled labour and funding for union training centres. Discussions on the Employment Insurance system and positive changes that can be made to better protect workers. Conversations with Government around their framework on the Oil and Gas emmissions cap and the impact it may have on workers and the idea of using some of the funds from the cap to go to training for existing and emerging new energy sectors Conversations with Government and elected officials regarding the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) review of possible expansion and future viability of the Baffinland Mine and the impact these matters have on the workers (our members) at the mine. C-59 - An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 21, 2023 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023 - advocating for the quick passage of this legislation Amendments to the Red Seal Program with respect to criteria of certification Advocating that Elections Canada amend or clarify rules around unions ability to communicate with their members during a Federal Election Advocating on behalf of ARC Nuclear Canada Inc. to receive funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) or any Federal Government funding to assist them in building small modular nuclear reactors in Canada. Advocating for increased funding to the apprenticeship incentive grant and completion grant and the Union Innovation Training Program (UTIP) Advocating for Implementation of a national, universal pharmacare program Advocating for a program to promote labour mobility between areas of higher unemployment and labour shortages. This program would grant favoured tax status to participants (workers) in the construction and maintenance sector travelling to obtain full time employment in a trade deemed to be experiencing labour shortages. Advocate for legislation to support the future and livelihood of oil and gas workers and their communities for a Just Transition as Canada moves to a low-carbon economy.