Policy committees and working groups focus on legislative policy agendas to shape and inform policy positions across Canada’s tech ecosystem.

Committees and Working Groups

Public Policy and Advocacy Committee (PPAC)
PPAC reports on impactful policy developments impacting the broader tech ecosystem. From trade agreements, digital sovereignty, immigration policy, privacy legislation, tax measures, AI policy and upskilling initiatives aimed at reinforcing Canada’s digital workforce, the PPAC committee helps keep members up-to-date on all impactful policy developments impacting the tech sector in Canada. Advocacy is directed at the federal level with participants working together to shape and update TECHNATION’s public policy positioning.

AI and Privacy Policy Working Group
The AI and Privacy Policy Working Group provides strategic guidance on shaping Canada’s federal approach to AI governance, with a focus on key initiatives such as a renewed approach to federal AI legislation. As well, the working group will address efforts to update Canada’s privacy legislation and assess and provide guidance on Canada’s commitments on data protection and cross border data flow. The focus of this working group’s advocacy is directed at the federal level.

Priorities

• Legislative campaigns
• AI, cyber and privacy policy
• Trade and tariffs

Procurement committees and working groups drive the modernization of IT and cyber procurement and related policies.

Committees and Working Groups

Federal Public Sector Business Committee (PSBC
Our Federal Public Sector Business Committee brings together senior corporate business leaders whose companies focus on sales to government. The committee meets monthly to monitor, assess, and advise on procurement policies and practices. Government officials are regular participants of the meetings and on developments with tech procurement initiatives.

Ontario Procurement Working Group
The mandate of the Ontario Procurement Working Group is to bring together senior corporate business leaders whose companies focus on sales to government in Ontario. The working group meets to monitor, assess, and advise on procurement policies and practices in Ontario.

Priorities

• Socio-economic procurement
• Contract terms and conditions
• Procurement modernization and policy

Health committees advance national health policy and procurement to build a more innovative, digitally enabled, connected and patient-centric healthcare system.

Committees and Working Groups

Health Advocacy Committee
Develops research and position papers that support industry partners as they make their case to various levels of government. Procurement issues are often front and center in committee work.

Health Interoperability & Standards Committee (ISC)
The mandate of this committee is to promote the adoption of internationally accepted standards for technology, nomenclature, data, and interoperability in the health sector; and to ensure our membership’s interests are being represented in key areas related to standards and emerging Provincial and Federal regulation.

Priorities

• Interoperability and standards
• AI in health
• Federal-provincial-territorial collaboration

For more information on TECHNATION Health Committees, contact Elaine Huesing at eheusing@technationcanada.ca.

Cybersecurity Talent Alliance

TECHNATION’s Cybersecurity Talent Alliance (CTA) provides national leadership and guidance on the development of a sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem – including the creation of accelerated learning programs, career pathways and collaborative initiatives – to close the talent gap across Canada.

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The HR Forum

The HR Forum is a peer-to-peer networking group that allows for information sharing and discussion of the latest HR trends, views, best practices, and challenges within the tech community. An excellent professional development opportunity for HR professionals or those in managerial positions within the tech industry, meetings are typically roundtable and supported by peer and expert presentations in an informal and privileged platform environment.

You can also earn re-certification points for your CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) and CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) designations by attending the TECHNATION HR Forum meetings.

The Future Workforce Development Strategic Advisory Group

This Strategic Advisory Group consists of a small selection of senior thinkers/ strategic HR leaders from some of our key TECHNATION members. The objective of this group is to identify collaborative opportunities that will influence better national workforce outcomes and drive change in the workforce development eco-system. Small, medium and large organizations are intentionally represented. Participation is by invitation only. If you have a strategic role in your organization that ties to national education or workforce objectives, please contact us.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)/ Employer Readiness

Canada needs skilled talent with practical experience to support leadership in the digital economy. TECHNATION engages in multi-stakeholder partnerships and works collaboratively to create quality WIL opportunities for young Canadians and better align work-ready skills development to ensure that students are better positioned to secure meaningful employment opportunities across all tech enabled disciplines.

The TECHNATION Work Integrated Learning program is anticipated to grow to include:

• Opportunities for students to gain the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in ICT WIL placements.
• Employer readiness activities that will provide learning opportunities and guidance to help businesses prepare for and provide students with a rewarding WIL experience.
• Additional support and guidance for small and medium business who may not know what type of placement would best suit their goals or how to get the most out of the WIL experience.
• Development of a platform to help deliver on the above requirements.

In addition, TECHNATION will collect data and provide insights on:

• How it can improve the WIL experience for both students and employers;
• Alignment of educational and training programs to industry roles; and
• Industry recruiting practices and trends.

Cybersecurity Task Force (CTF)

TECHNATION’s CTF works across all pillars to advance coordinated action on cyber challenges and strengthen provincial and national resilience against ever-evolving threats.