Terrence Cowl
Executive Director, Global Affairs Canada (GAC)·1 communications in the past year
Lobbied by
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
2GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Reform Canadas procurement system to support investment and ensure a competitive business environment. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Ensuring fair and open procurement practices to drive innovation and technology adoption in Canada. HOUSING - Advocate for policies and legislation that enable the creation of more housing supply, incentivize investment in residential construction and housing – enabling infrastructure, and support the development of skilled labour we need, whether domestically or through immigration, to restore housing affordability to Canadian families. TAXATION AND FINANCE – With regard to the measurement and improvement of Canadas tax competitiveness, including: reforming the taxation, remittance, filing and audit processes of Canadian businesses and tax policy which improves the competitiveness of the Canadian business environment INTERNATIONAL TRADE – With respect to issues relating to trade controls, including tariffs, import and export controls, sanctions, and trade remedies. INDUSTRY - Improving the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program to drive innovation; increase the role that the federal government plays in creating opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to digitalize and conduct more business activities online; developing a digital economy strategy for Canada. HEALTH – Ensuring we improve access to necessary medicines by building on rather than displacing the important role of private insurers and respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction. CYBER SECURITY - Encouraging the government to prioritize cybersecurity innovation, talent development, and critical infrastructure resilience; modernize research and development; accelerate commercialization in the space; support the secure digitalization of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and improve the global competitiveness of Canadas cybersecurity industry. IMMIGRATION - Reducing regulatory burdens for employers; promoting immigration to small, rural and northern communities; supporting regional and local community immigration strategies; maintaining and modernizing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program; Facilitating pathways to permanent residency for temporary residents (international students and TFWs; expediting and simplifying foreign credential recognition, calling for an international student and global talent strategy; improving language training as well as settlement and employment supports to newcomers, aligning immigration programs with labour market needs, improving the Start-Up Visa process, improving client services to potential immigrants and newcomers. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING – National Workforce Strategy, programs that support small and medium sized enterprises, improving collection and dissemination of Labour Market Information, establishing the Employment Insurance Council to institutionalize social dialogue between workers and employers on issues related to employment and training needs, addressing barriers to labour mobility, improving effectiveness of employment supports and skills training. EDUCATION - Aligning employer and workforce needs with education and training; expanding skilling, upskilling, reskilling and work integrated learning opportunities. INFRASTRUCTURE – Improvement of Canadas infrastructure through the National Infrastructure Assessment, National Supply Chains Strategy, and establishment of a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan. TRANSPORTATION - Regarding the consistent funding of trade-enabling infrastructure projects; the development of a competitive and efficient transportation network including all modes of transportation; the fluidity and stability of supply chain operations, minimizing disruptions. LABOUR - Ensuring that any changes to the Canada Labour Code are implemented in response to defined and demonstrated issues and not to increase regulatory burdens for employers; minimizing labour disruption impacts on Canadian bus
Business Council of Canada
1INTERNATIONAL TRADE: Legislative proposals, regulations, policies or programs related to Canada's international trading and investment relationship with foreign markets. WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: Input to federal deliberations regarding international negotiations to implement the Doha Round of trade liberalization U.N. CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: Input to federal deliberations on ongoing international negotiations respecting the Convention, as well as decisions about implementation of Convention provisions in Canada TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP: Input to federal consultations re Canada's entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership; and consideration of Canadian interests with respect to increasing economic ties with several nations of the Asia-Pacific, including trade in goods and services, foreign investment protections, intellectual property, immigration, labour mobility, etc. TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY: Federal policy and rules related to provision of telecommunications services in Canada, including competition among service providers, access to wireless spectrum, ownership and foreign investment, and access by new entrants SECURITY AND PROSPERITY IN NORTH AMERICA, with respect to rules governing the flow of goods, services and people across the border; cooperation among agencies in the three countries to streamline and harmonize rules and regulations governing the conduct of business; policies to enhance energy trade and energy security SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY: Input regarding policies that can support research and development of new science and technology and the broader adaptation of advanced technologies across the Canadian economy PUBLIC SERVICE: Rules and regulations governing the conduct of public servants in their relations with corporations and business associations, processes for consulting with business on the impact of new laws and regulations governing the conduct of business in Canada POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: Rules governing federal-provincial financing arrangements for post-secondary education; and development of acceptable national standards for graduate degrees in various disciplines PARLIAMENTARY REFORM: Input regarding changes to rules governing Parliament; Senate reform NORTH AMERICAN LEADERS' SUMMIT: Input to the federal government regarding policy priorities for the annual summit of the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: Amendments, sub-agreements and regulations governing trade relations between Canada, the United States and Mexico; with respect to the enhanced trade in goods and services, regulation of investment between countries, admittance of qualified immigrants and recognition of professional credentials for employment purposes NORTH AMERICAN DEFENCE: Input regarding the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and other means to enhance collaboration among governments regading defence of the North American continent NORTH AMERICAN COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION: Input to federal deliberations regarding possible enhancement and coordination of environmental standards among Canada, the United States and Mexico NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY: Input regarding policies that Canada's national security policies and regulations impacting the private sector. NATIONAL SECURITIES REGULATOR: Supporting efforts by the federal government to work with the provinces and establish a single national regulatory authority for the regulation of corporations which issues shares to the public LOBBYING ACT: Regulations governing the conduct of lobbyists and their relations with the federal government with respect to the rules regarding communications and meetings between senior public office holders and corporations and organizational lobbyists INVESTMENT CANADA ACT: Regulations and policies with respect to the foreign ownership of Canadian companies; takeovers of Canadian companies by foreign corporations or state entities, thresholds that trigger review
Steelworkers Humanity Fund
1Advocating for the creation an independent Ombudsperson for the international extractive-sector in Canada. Introducing mechanisms to ensure government support to Canadian mining, oil and gas companies overseas is conditioned on their respect of international human rights and environmental standards, including the right of indigenous peoples to free prior and informed consent. Introducing regulatory mechanisms in Canada, such as mandatory corporate accountability standards, to ensure respect of human rights by Canadian extractive companies in overseas operations. Introducing reforms to facilitate access to Canadian courts by foreign plaintiffs alleging serious harm associated with Canadian companies operating overseas. Discussing with public officer holders to ensure the application of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and fulfillment of Canada's international human rights obligations.