Sophie Martel

Discussions with government officials regarding procurement through the Office of Digital Transformation, the Defence Procurement Agency, and new procurement vehicles as a result of the new federal government’s procurement reform policies

Monitoring, interaction and advocacy regarding policy and programs supporting the growth of Canadian startups by means of government procurement of research, development, prototype development and testing. Continuation of contracted support from Innovative Solutions Canada, specifically procurement of research and development by DND research and/or NRC for concept and future product development and testing in areas of Q-Block’s expertise. These include quantum computing and communication devices, components and prototype systems.

Quantum industrialization: Support for quantum R&D and commercialization funding for Canadian quantum companies. Monitoring, interaction and advocacy regarding policy and programs supporting the growth of Canadian startups by means of government procurement of research, development, prototype development and testing. Discussions with government officials regarding procurement through the Office of Digital Transformation, the Defence Procurement Agency, and new procurement vehicles as a result of the new federal government’s procurement reform policies

Discussions with government officials regarding procurement through the Office of Digital Transformation, the Defence Procurement Agency, and new procurement vehicles as a result of the new federal government's procurement reform policies

Cybersecurity capacity development Discuss public safety related initiatives including border security Cybersecurity laws, policies and regulations National Security Technologies and Solutions International Trade to help expand Canadian trade internationally Trade Policy, with respect to BlackBerry market access issues experienced internationally, specifically tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers Strategic Innovation Fund, specifically application for funding for corporate R&D project Investment Canada Act - specifically with respect to technologies Intellectual property - specifically related to IP policies that encourage private investment in development of technologies that support supply chain resiliency Innovation - discussions regarding the Canadian government's Innovation Agenda; including programs government may be considering to foster innovation in the Canadian ICT industry (e.g. skills & training, centres of excellence, R&D funding and incentives, government use of technology) Government Procurement - specifically Government priorities and role for private industry in helping to achieve government objectives - e.g. remote work, IT modernization, innovation and R&D intensive products, and crisis communications Government funding for private sector R&D technology projects Discuss Canada's Defence and Procurement Strategies

Looking to raise profile within the Canadian Government and more specifically seek procurement opportunities to build digital imaging and information management solutions.

Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-8 (An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts). Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-22 (An Act respecting lawful access) Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill formerly known as C-27 (Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022), more specifically the creation of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-2 (An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures). Work with government to promote and support Canada’s digital economy, including ensuring the availability of a high-skilled tech workforce. Seeking to influence policy direction related to cloud based services. Seeking government contract with multiple government departments and institutions with regards to Amazon Cloud based solutions and related support services.

Discussions regarding procedures and policies as well as best practices and reducing costs in procurement associated with end user devices, networks, support services and solutions, including development and deployment of sovereign AI capacity. Seeking to raise awareness about Bell’s technological innovations, including AI, with an aim to convey how policies affect investments in innovation and research. Copyright Act amendments affecting internet service providers and/or broadcasting distribution undertakings and/or broadcasting programming undertakings Discuss and sharing of best practices with respect to Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative. Proposed government broadband programs, policies and initiatives including in rural and Northern Canada. The Comprehensive Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), provisions related to copyright, culture, telecommunications and broadcasting. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), provisions related to copyright, culture, telecommunications and broadcasting. Spectrum policy framework with respect to technological and financial implications of government policies. Replacement Worker Legislation - legislation that bans replacement workers during a labour dispute hindering our ability to operate our networks and serve our customers Regulatory modernization of the Canada Labour Code. Proposing amendments pursuant to Income Tax Act. Potential Amendments to the Broadcasting Act. Potential Amendments to the Broadcast Act and Telecommunications Act as per legislative review. Policies relating to signal piracy, and copyright infringement Policies Relating to Broadcasting Distribution Undertakings with regard to the terms of carriage of our services by terrestrial and satellite television distributors Pension plan regulations with regard to their impact on the solvency funding and other requirements for Bell as a plan sponsor Legislation regulation or policies focused on critical infrastructure, cyber security and lawful access Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) labour force -- policies related to increasing the talent supply in Canada Broadcasting Policies Relating to Specialty and Pay Television Broadcasting Policies Relating to Conventional Television Broadcasting Policies Relating to Commercial Radio Broadcasting Licence Fee Regulations, 1997 under section 11 of the Broadcasting Act. An Act to amend the Consumer Privacy Protection Act and the Personal Information and Date Protection Tribunal Act, as well legislation, policies or regulation having impact on Bell customers from a privacy perspective, and with respect to obligations imposed on carriers with respect to intercept and subscriber information. Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada

Cisco is seeking opportunities to engage with Shared Services Canada as it relates to their new procurement model and enterprise efficiencies. Cisco is seeking opportunities to engage with the Government of Canada on programs and policies related to innovation and the adoption of information and communication technologies.

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is engaging with government officials to discuss the alignment between CCI’s priorities and the federal government’s efforts to foster innovation in Canada. These discussions focus on ensuring that government programs and policies effectively support high-growth Canadian technology firms and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem. Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy: advocacy was focused on bringing domestic firms into the value chain through policies and measures that provide equal opportunity for Canadian Head Quartered companies. Discussion on the intangible economy, SR&ED, and economic growth as it relates to domestic expenditures for intellectual property filing, as well as a focus on small and medium-sized companies. US Trade - discussed Tariffs and handling of Canada US Mexico Trade Agreement. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Small Business and Tourism, Changes to Canadian Export Program (CanExport) so it allows more technology companies to apply Procurement – Changes to Request for Proposal (RFP) process to break down large bundles into smaller amounts for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) can apply Health Canada: advocate for an increase of resources for Therapeutics Canada for them to speed up processing times and efficiencies within their department; create working groups and framework with industry leaders and health Canada on digital and data health, and create a therapeutics working group with industry and health Canada. Finance – Changes to Scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentive program to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to further increase the maximum a SME can apply for Export Development Canada (EDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Environment and Climate Change Canada, give input and feedback on the PanCanada Framework, Canada-China agreement for scientific and technological cooperation, and the relationship between Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emitters & CO2 Reducers. Our focus is on involving Canadian high-growth firms in the policies and programs the government is working on regarding climate change and the greening of government. Discussions on international trade, specifically on the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to data localisation, labour mobility and tariffs. Defence & Security: advocate for a domestic-focused cybersecurity ecosystem that has Canadian companies at the centre of a national cybersecurity defence policy. Citizenship and immigration – Change the current work visa time lines, seek changes to the the Labour Market Impact Assessment for expatiating and a faster process Changes to Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to Increase the maximum amount a SME can apply for Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - changes to (scientific research and experimental development) SR&ED program with how it is administered and reviewed. Discussed companies SR&ED claims and issues with their processing. Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy.

Communicating with government officials about greater cooperation between government and Indigenous business ventures. The goal of these communications is to raise awareness of Indigenous business ventures, including of Des Nedhe Development LP.

Engaging with various government departments, agencies and personnel pursuing opportunities to sell HashiCorp's secure cloud provisioning and management suite of tools.

Communicating with government officials about new approaches to procurement, more specifically new models of procurement. The goal of these communications is to increase efficiency. Communicating with government officials about investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and high performance computing as a means of (i) promoting research and development and (ii) increasing economic development, competitiveness and innovation. Communicating with government officials about potential collaboration between the Government of Canada and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co. in the areas of network architecture, computing solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), remote access points, and digital transformation.