Thomas Simpson

Makes representations to the government on Bill C-4 as it relates to its impact on persons with disabilities Work with the Government of Canada to promote the Rick Hansen School Program to promote the adoption of this already existing program in every school in Canada and maintain funding for this purpose and seek future funding. Work with Government of Canada to endorse and support the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program as the national standard to assess and certify the built environment, by working to maintain or expand government funding. Work with the various government programs that support accessibility, inclusion, and a world without barriers, particularly in the built environment around an accessibility Certification Program which will assess and rate the built environment of Canada against a common standard (example Canadian Standards Association). Work with the Government of Canada to seek funding and support for RHF national initiatives designed to educate and engage Canadians about the importance of promoting accessibility, in coordination with National AccessAbility Week. Communication with the Government of Canada, to keep them informed of the use and outcomes of their investment in spinal cord injury research, as well as the outcomes of any projects around which we collaborate in order to maintain funding and to seek future funding.

Work with the various government programs that support accessibility, inclusion, and a world without barriers, particularly in the built environment around an accessibility Certification Program which will assess and rate the built environment of Canada against a common standard (example Canadian Standards Association). Work with the Government of Canada to seek funding and support for RHF national initiatives designed to educate and engage Canadians about the importance of promoting accessibility, in coordination with National AccessAbility Week. Work with the Government of Canada to provide leadership in salmon and sturgeon conservation and related initiatives and research. Work with the Government of Canada to promote the Rick Hansen School Program to promote the adoption of this already existing program in every school in Canada. Work with Government of Canada to endorse and support the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program Program as the national standard to assess and certify the built environment. Communication with the Government of Canada, to keep them informed of the use and outcomes of their investment in spinal cord injury research, as well as the outcomes of any projects around which we collaborate in order to maintain funding and to seek future funding.

Advocate for streamlined approval for CUTRIC under feasibility planning streams of the Canada Public Transit Fund. Within Canadian Transportation Innovation & Industrial Development Strategy, Canada needs to identify a clear mandate for Alternative Propulsion & Smart Mobility Innovation focusing on mechanisms that create IP and new jobs in the low-carbon transportation innovation industry, building globally relevant large scale integration trials and industry-academic collaborations through innovation consortia for alternative propulsion and smart vehicle technologies in shared mobility systems applications (e.g. public transit and shared private fleets). This Strategy must include battery electric propulsion and charging systems (heavy-duty and light-duty; vehicular and rail-based), hydrogen fuel cell electric propulsion systems and fuelling systems (heavy-duty and light-duty; vehicular and rail-based), renewable natural gas propulsion and fuelling systems (heavy-duty and light-duty; vehicular and rail-based), and automated and connected vehicle systems for public fleet systems applied to heavy- and light-duty vehicles, including bus, coach, and rail. To present the Foreign Affairs, Commerce & Trade (FACT) Task Force, a multi-stakeholder working group established by the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC). Its purpose is to support Canada's transit manufacturing sector in navigating international trade challenges, particularly in light of recently imposed U.S. tariffs and anticipated Canadian countermeasures. The Task Force serves as a forum for manufacturers, suppliers, transit agencies, labour representatives, and academic experts to share insights, assess risks, and collaboratively develop policy recommendations. Its objective is to mitigate negative impacts on Canadian jobs, production capacity, and public mobility outcomes. The FACT Task Force advocates for tariff exemptions on transit-related goods and services, and for policy supports that protect domestic supply chains and sustain Canada's zero-emission transit goals. The Government of Canada must launch the development of a robust Canadian Transportation Innovation & Industrial Development Strategy. The Strategy would require a “hub” marriage between Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), Innovation, Science and Industry and Environment Canada, and Transport Canada on the transportation innovation file. The Strategy should be launched with a federal Task Force with the support of Members of Parliament, mobility manufacturers, integrators, fleets/transit systems, and alternative fuel providers to generate programming aimed at future low-carbon smart mobility infrastructure integration, innovation and technological advancement in transportation. Support CUTRIC’s development of a Joint Procurement Initiative that improves transit by moving people more efficiently across Canada using the most cutting edge zero-emissions technology projects available worldwide. CUTRIC’s Joint Procurement Initiative will support the launch of zero emission buses CUTRIC across Canada, with a focus on the GTHA. Support CUTRIC’s application to ensure the federal government invests $10M in start-up seed financing for the development of a cutting edge (and publicly-controlled) ACES Big Data Trust (“Autonomous, Connected, Electric & Shared” Big Data Trust), which would ensure standardized data collection, aggregation, sharing and use for optimized decision-making for fleet procurements of electric, hydrogen electric, and autonomous, i.e. “smart”, transportation fleets across Canada. The ACES Big Data Trust will help to reduce taxpayer losses due to inefficient and unempirical procurement decision-making across Canada’s public fleets, by ensuring public fleet procurement bodies and agencies have access to the real-time, accurate, precise and immediately accessible performance data they need to hold manufacturers to acc

Renew CUTRIC's role as the Preferred Non Profit Provider of Planning Services under the Canada Public Transit Fund to provide feasibility studies and empirical analysis for transit agencies across Canada to advance their fleet decarbonizations. Launch Canadian Cybersecurity Innovation Initiative for Rail and Transit (CCIIRT) with funding of $50 million over eight years. The increasing digitalization of our transit systems offers numerous benefits to passengers and freight alike but it also presents growing cybersecurity risks which pose threats to transportation and national security. The CCIIRT addresses gaps in Canada's rail and transit cybersecurity by establishing a federal regulatory framework with mandatory compliance guidelines for transit operators and vendors. Establishing the need for the heavy duty transit manufacturing sector to have a seat at the table in Canada-US trade negotiations so that any renegotiation of CUSMA (Canada-US-Mexico Agreement) recognizes the jobs-at-risk within the Canadian manufacturing landscape. Positioning Canada’s North American-leading transit manufacturing sector (bus, coach, shuttle, rail and public mobility) at the heart of industrial policy mechanisms as part of the Canadian job growth strategy to benefit from support to manufacturing that other sectors and verticals will benefit from. Advocating to maintain and grow the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) to at least $5 billion per year as part of Prime Minister Carney’s initiative to Build a Stronger Canada and based on key performance indicators associated with the Zero Emissions Transit Fund (ZETF). The Government of Canada must launch the development of a robust Canadian Transportation Innovation & Industrial Development Strategy. The Strategy would require a “hub” marriage between Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), Innovation, Science and Industry and Environment Canada, and Transport Canada on the transportation innovation file. The Strategy should be launched with a federal Task Force with the support of Members of Parliament, mobility manufacturers, integrators, fleets/transit systems, and alternative fuel providers to generate programming aimed at future low-carbon smart mobility infrastructure integration, innovation and technological advancement in transportation. Recognize that the transition to zero-emissions transportation, including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric transit, coach and rail systems, will require an energy “systems overhaul of entire fleets and infrastructural systems, meaning that incentives and funding programs designed and launched by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), Environment, Climate Change Canada and/or Transport Canada will need to support coordinated energy systems integration efforts (i.e. both vehicle and fuelling ends of the equation) with consortia of partners to be effective, immediate and long-term from an economic sustainability standpoint. 1) Recognize that fleet adoption – specifically heavy duty vehicle fleet adoption in the public sector, including bus, coach and rail systems – offers more immediate and substantial emissions reductions opportunities for taxpayers compared to individual passenger car incentives over the next four year period. To present the Foreign Affairs, Commerce & Trade (FACT) Task Force, a multi-stakeholder working group established by the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC). Its purpose is to support Canada's transit manufacturing sector in navigating international trade challenges, particularly in light of recently imposed U.S. tariffs and anticipated Canadian countermeasures. The Task Force serves as a forum for manufacturers, suppliers, transit agencies, labour representatives, and academic experts to share insights, assess risks, and collaboratively develop policy recommendations. Its objective is to mitigate

Policy and program recommendations regarding the government's priorities in delivering major transportation projects. Communications with public office holders regarding provision of consulting and operational services (solutions) for transportation infrastructure projects. Communications with public office holders regarding funding programs which support infrastructure projects, research and development and training, and economic opportunities in the transportation and rail space.

Lobbying to advocate for better, fairer and smarter change at CHMC rules for funding supportive housing projects that support both housing needs and mental health.

Promotion de l'avancement de la cybersécurité dans les transports publiques. Advocating for the rail sector in relation to changes to clean technology investment tax credit. Recherche de financement via le programme de fonds stratégiques pour l'innovation (FSI) afin d'offrir des solutions ferroviaires innovantes. Establishment or modification of appropriate regulations regarding trade. Research and Development funding for advanced manufacturing and developing mobility low to zero carbon technologies. Infrastructure projects related to transit systems, including rolling stocks and signalling. Establishment or modification of appropriate regulations regarding public transportation.

Secure infrastructure funding for Arts Centre Transformation (ACT) initiative.

Advocating for the federal government to support standards development as a means of supporting workforce development activities Advocating for support for standards development in sport sector such as safety, wellbeing, technology, sustainability, management, and infrastructure Advocating for federal support for CSA's work in artificial intelligence and cyber security. CSA has a suite of standards work in Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, ICT Code, Intelligent Building Systems and smart manufacturing. CSA is looking for government support through funding support and incorporation by reference of this suite of standards. Collaboration and funding support for the education, development and implementation of relevant codes and standards for the end use of clean fuels, such as for transportation, appliances and equipment, power generation, or industrial use. Collaboration and funding support for the education, development and implementation of relevant codes and standards for distribution and delivery of clean fuels, such as by pipeline or over-the-road transit, and for above-ground and underground storage. Collaboration and funding support for the education, developemnt and implementation of relevant codes and standards for production and generation of clean fuels, such as hydrogen (e.g., electrolysis and fuel processing), bioenergy (e.g., solid biomass, biogas, biomethane), carriers (e.g., ammonia, methanol), and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Discussion with representative(s) of Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regarding advisory services Collaboration, funding support, and referencing of standards and research related to fusion energy Discussion with representative(s) of Canada Energy Regulator and Natural Resources Canada regarding collaboration, funding support, advisory services, and referencing of research, standards, and education products related to oil and gas infrastructure safety and environmental management Collaboration and funding support related to small modular reactor and microreactor research, standards and education products. Advocating for the federal government to support standards development as a means of supporting the implementation of the National School Food Program. Advocating for the federal government to support standards development related to language testing for the purposes of immigration processing across streams (permanent residency, start-up visas, etc). Advocating for the federal government to support standards development as a means of supporting the implementation of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program. Advocating for the federal government to support standards development as a means of supporting Veterans by helping organizations become more Veteran-ready, both as employers and as service providers. Advocating for the federal government to support standards development as a means of supporting the effective management of international education and international students studying, or applying to study, in Canada. Seeking funding to develop standards in the agriculture and agri-food sector regarding topics such as science and technology, environmental/sustainability, labour. Seeking funding from source to be determined on possible funding for a new standard on cisterns for potable water. Seeking funding from source to be determined for the development of standards, and related product testing and certification programs, to support industry, that could potentially be regulated to enhance the safety and performance of medical grade personal protective equipment. Support for small to medium businesses looking to increase trade of their goods through CSA testing, certification or inspection services in collaboration with PrairiesCan. Seeking funding from Public Services and Procurement Canada for development of blast standard. Seeking funding from Health Canada for the Product Safety Project Committee. Seeking funding for Canadian Standards Association's facilit

Advocate for changes to facilitate adoption of auto features for retirement savings. Advocate for legislative or regulatory changes to allow for automatic features in workplace pension plans. Discussions related to the implementation of CRA Notice 344 Consultation on the National Strategy on mental health of men and boys Discussions related to Bill S-5 Connected Care for Canadians Act. FCAC direction to update complaint-handling information for insurers Discussions related to drug pricing, including decisions, policies and processes of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Discussions related to supply and shortages of drugs in Canada, including the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee. Discussions related to regulatory burden, including “cutting red tape”. Impacts on Canadian insurers of proposed U.S. tax measures. Discussions relating to the efficiency and effectiveness of the financial sector regulatory system as it pertains to insurance companies. Discussing plans on the Data Collection Modernization initiative Promotion of a broader range of investments by insurance companies (e.g., farmland, timberland, fintechs) Statutory review of the Insurance Companies Act as it relates to insurance products and investments. Discussions related to the implementation of national pharmacare including bilateral agreements with provinces and territories; the committee of experts on the implementation of pharmacare and the advisory panel on bulk purchasing. Promotion of pension products, including decumulation solutions. Discussions related to the implementation of the Interpretation letter on the Canada health act related to physician equivalent services. Inter-provincial harmonization and trade barriers as it relates to insurance products. Discussions related to the financial sector policy review. Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). Guidelines related to risk management, capital and accounting for insurance companies. This includes capital charges for infrastructure investments under the LICAT. International Trade with respect to opening trade relations, regulations, foreign ownership and national treatment in foreign markets, with regards to India, Europe, China, Japan, Trans-Pacific partnership (TPP), Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Plurilateral Trade In Services Agreement (TISA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Work to ensure that the income tax act does not put insurance companies at a competitive disadvantage. Promotion of risk-based and principles-based regulation for financial institutions regulations. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act: seeking workable approaches to privacy rules affecting life and health insurers when the Act is updated. Income Tax Regulations (section 6(1)(f) as it relates to income tax withholding on wage loss replacement plans (disability income benefits). Income Tax Regulations, Part XIV. Income Tax Regulations, Part III: Updating income tax rules for life insurance policies. Income Tax Act, Section 146: Retirement income recommendations regarding the treatment of life insurance companies; Section 146.2 (TFSAs); Section 146.3 (RRIFs). Income Tax Act, Part VI as it relates to capital tax on financial institutions. Financing infrastructure projects, as it relates to investments by insurers Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) risk-based guidance as it relates to life insurance Employment Insurance (EI) reform as it relates to disability benefits; and EI Premium Reduction Program issues. Amendments to Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing rules as they affect insurance companies

Recommendations for national policies including high-speed rail transportation, home building, electric grid expansion, resilience strategies and changes to current industry tax allowances. The importance of building an East-North-West clean electricity grid as a federally-mandated, nation-building project. Public transportation, including high-speed rail. Seeking funding for local governments to implement climate change programming and initiatives in their communities that relates to adaptation, mitigation, climate staff positions, climate planning, pilot projects, and feasibility studies. Policy and program recommendations that relate to and impact local governments and their ability to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to the changing climate. This includes programming for GHG reductions and to implement local adaptation measures.

To provide advice, counsel and expertise to assist EllisDon in marketing its products to Government of Canada departments.