Stephanie Muccilli

Ongoing government engagement activities related to any future legislative changes impacting long-term care and seniors’ housing, including national standards, affordable, and supportive housing.

Remove the requirement that employees of the federal public service must get a referral from a medical doctor before qualifying for reimbursement for physiotherapy services under the Public Service Health Care Plan. Raise awareness about the role of physiotherapy within a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare and educate policymakers on how physiotherapy can help reduce healthcare costs, support preventative care and contribute to a healthier Canadian population at all stages of life. Internationally Educated Health Professionals: Monitoring issues related to emerging needs of profession and population. Improving access to safe and effective pain management, such as physiotherapy, as an upstream response to the opioid crisis Health Human Resource Strategy: Explore opportunities to develop health human resource strategy for the profession of physiotherapy. Enable support and funding for those communities that could potentially benefit most from telerehabilitation services, including Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit and Metis and rural and remote populations, where infrastructure may presently exclude them from access (no cellular or internet service/access) Caseload Guidelines: Joint application for funding from Health Canada for Caseload Guidelines development for Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy. and Speech Language Pathology. Canada's response to COVID-19 pandemic: ensure personal protective equipment is available to physiotherapists working in all health care settings. Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan - changes to financial supports provided in response to COVID-19 pandemic to ensure physiotherapists are included in supports, regardless of business models in place. Programs of interest include Canada Emergency Response Benefit, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, Canada Emergency Business Account and Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program. Adult physiotherapy services covered under the Non-Insured Health Benefits program

Youth employment with respect to the Youth Employment Strategy and Canada Summer Jobs. Seeking funding to support front line workers in the charitable sector with mental health and burnout Seeking funding from the Public Health Agency for a food literacy program Seeking funding for mental health training for front line staff working with children and youth to better support youth mental health outcomes Seeking funding for impact evaluation for out of school programming for children and youth Seeking funding for before and after school programs for children, youth and families Seeking funding for a program that introduces young people to the science, technology, engineering, arts/design, and math fields. Federal budget with respect to investments in the social service sector, and programs for children and youth Child and youth mental health, with respect to prevention and early intervention Canadian government's policies and programs with respect to crime prevention and restorative justice for youth. Canada's policies and programs with respect to programs and supports for Indigenous children and youth. Advocate for the adoption of Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program, with respect to the implementation of a countrywide school food program Advocate for the adoption of Bill C-273, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Corinne’s Quest and the protection of children), in order to repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code Advocate for policies and programs concerning child and youth rights, including to prevent identity-based hate and corporal punishment Adoption and implementation of the Spirit Bear Plan

To advocate for future budgetary funding for the Canadian Association for Long Term Care, including funding for health human resources and long-term care infrastructure support, as well as funding and other supports for COVID-19 related challenges. Connect the Canadian Association for Long Term Care with government officials to discuss opportunities to support Canada's health care system and to improve seniors care in Canada.

Pursue meetings with respect to new financial institutions legislation covering fraud and consumer protection as it may impact seniors and their families. Advocate for government leadership to find a solution to the ongoing Canada Post strike. Lobby for changes to financial policies, programs and legislation relevant to older Canadians and seniors advanced in budget 2024 and the fall 2024 economic statement. To hold discussions regarding the importance of RRBs in protecting the retirement benefit security of Canadians and potential legislative and policy changes. To discuss the dental program and specifics related to older Canadians and seniors To discuss changes to the policy that will not permit International Students to work additional hours off campus, beyond 24 hours per week, as it relates to the homecare labour market. To coordinate meeting related to programs and policies related to the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) mandate including CARP calls for mandatory RRIF withdrawals to be waived; that the government boost Old Age Security (“OAS”) by 10% for people 65 to 74 and that the government increase the Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”) Survivor Benefit by 25% for people 65 and older—from 60% to 75% and remove the benefit ceiling that negatively impacts a surviving spouse. Represent the client at meetings during the regulatory phase associated with Bill C-22 and hold discussions with officials on how this benefit should be designed for the benefit of disabled older Canadians and seniors. Organize discussions related to policy suggestions and programs suggested by the National Seniors Council and be a part of feedback given to the National Seniors Council. Organize and lead meetings related to Budget 2024, the post budget respone and policies relevant to CARP. Manage discussions related to dental care programming and policy. Manage discussions and engagement with officials around all aspects of policy, relevant regulations and decision making related to older Canadians and seniors wellness, health care and all relevant pharmacare, healthcare, long term care and caregiver programs and policies. Lobby federal health officials to align provincial and territorial partners and stakeholders and ensure national longterm care standards are adopted and implemented. Lead meetings with all relevant parties, particularly the FINA Committee and all Members of the House of Commons and Senate, to ensure more cash flows to Canadian seniors now and in future budgets. This includes advocating for increasing the OAS by 10% for those 65- 74; exempting homecare services from HST, increasing the survivor benefit from 60% to 75% immediately and permanent elimination of the current mandatory RRIF withdrawal rules. Lead meetings related to pharmacare and the inclusion of drugs used to treat diabetes. Lead invites for speaking opportunities at Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) events for Leaders of all Parties, Ministers, Critics and members of the House of Commons, Senate, staff and senior officials. Lead discussions with the relevant federal Ministers on a potential wage enhancement for Canadian personal support workers from federal departments. Lead discussions with officials on preventing US drug imports of key Canadian medications. Lead discussions related to older persons, Canadian seniors and financial issues relevant to the cost of living. Lead discussions related to changes to the building code that may facilitate policy/regulatory changes to co-housing policies Lead discussions and meetings related to economic and social issues impacting women (older Canadians/seniors/their families). Lead and coordinate meetings related to seniors and older Canadians health and wellness policies and associated regulations. Hold meetings to advance discussions related to a potential Canada Caregiver Tax Credit. Explore policy related to seniors mental health and well being. Engage officials on the topic of housing, communities and

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)

Create and fund a Vision Health Desk and Chief Vision Officer at Health Canada or the Public Health Agency of Canada. Develop and implement a National Strategy for Vision Health

Budget 2026: Presenting solutions to the federal government relating to assisting Canadians with planning for health and mortality risks, investment planning, retirement planning, employee group benefits, small business owner taxation, and issues relating to dental care and pharmacare.

Grant or contribution - funding support for delivery of technology training and support for older adults, empowering them to use technology safely and effectively to help them engage with loved ones and enhance their quality of life.

Seek funding for research and knowledge mobilization relating to neurodevelopmental disabilities in children and youth under the age of 14 through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund (SSF). Engagement with the Senate of Canada and the Government of Canada on Bill S-253, National Framework on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Act. Engagement with the Senate of Canada and the Government of Canada on Bill S-203, Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder Act. Engagement with the Government of Canada and the Senate of Canada on Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act. Advance initiatives towards comprehensive, coordinated national framework on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDDs).