12-Month Lobbying Summary - Consultant

Subject Matters

• Aboriginal Affairs
• Budget
• Climate
• Economic Development
• Employment and Training
• Energy
• Environment
• Government Procurement
• Immigration
• Industry
• Infrastructure
• Internal Trade
• International Relations
• Labour
• Mining
• Regional Development
• Research and Development
• Science and Technology
• Taxation and Finance
• Transportation

Subject Matter Details

Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution

• Sustainable Resource Development: Seek to ensure that any environmental legislative or regulatory modifications affecting resource development are grounded in the principles of sound science/evidence-based decision-making and efficiency of regulatory process. These include the implementation of the new Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the Fisheries Act, and the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (CNWA), as well as further developments under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Seek also to ensure that a meaningful role is facilitated for local Indigenous communities in the environmental monitoring of resource operations.

Policies or Program

• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC): Seek to ensure that the regulatory process for uranium and nuclear energy development, including environmental monitoring and performance, is as efficient as possible and results in decisions that are based on sound science.
• Climate Change and Low-Carbon Energy: Advocate for the federal government to include nuclear energy as a major component in Canada's greenhouse gas/carbon reduction strategy, and to promote nuclear technology on the global stage as a positive option for combating climate change.
• Duty to Consult: Encourage greater clarity in the requirements and responsibilities of the various parties involved in resource land development as it pertains to the Crown's Duty to Consult and other aboriginal-based rights including considerations or decisions related to the government's interpretation of "free, prior, informed consent" (FPIC) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).
• Foreign-Origin Nuclear Material (FONM): Advocate for the consideration of economic impacts on potential changes in the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's application of Canadian nuclear non-proliferation policy to exports of FONM.
• Infrastructure Programming: Encourage that all federal and federal-provincial infrastructure programs and initiatives include criteria to support public and community/First Nation infrastructure projects in remote northern regions of the country, including the northern portions of provinces.
• International Investment Protection: Encourage the negotiation and implementation of Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements and/or other bilateral investment treaties with countries that currently do not have such agreements in place with Canada to better protect the investments and holdings of Canadian companies and individuals in foreign jurisdictions.
• International Nuclear Co-operation: Advocate for the completion and implementation of Nuclear Co-operation Agreements and related protocols facilitating the export of Canadian uranium, nuclear products and technologies for civilian purposes to countries the Government of Canada recognizes as legitimate participants in the nuclear energy sector.
• International Trade Policy: Encourage the Government of Canada to support Canadian business by fostering positive trade relations and facilitating commercial opportunities with key export markets, and by taking action to protect and defend Canadian companies when foreign governments treat them unfairly.
• National Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou pursuant to the Species at Risk Act (SARA): Advocate for the federal government to incorporate additional science-based data and information into the finalized national recovery strategy for the woodland caribou.
• Non-Resident Ownership Policy: Advocate for the implementation of the policy changes recommended for uranium mining in the final report of the Competition Policy Review Panel.
• Tax Policy, Legislation and Application: Work toward a resolution of issues arising from multiple court rulings in Cameco’s favour following successful litigation to overturn reassessments issued to the company by Canada Revenue Agency for the 2003, 2005 and 2006 tax years.
• Transportation Policy: Advocate that federal transportation policy and legislation must ensure Canada remains competitive in strategic industries like the nuclear energy sector by facilitating the continued transport of these goods via Canadian roads, rail lines and ports. Ensure that the high standards, safeguards and precautions taken in the transport of uranium and nuclear products are understood by federal policy-makers.
• Work permits: Highlight the significant challenges facing industry in securing foreign nationals to fill skilled labour shortages in Canada. Advocate for adherence to stated processing timelines for work permits through Canadian diplomatic missions abroad as well push for improved communication on individual cases.