Re: Recommendation for further AIDA consultations with industry to refine the legislation and ensure its interoperability

We strongly recommend that the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology takes the time to consider the amendments that we had shared in our letter to the Minister on November 23rd and extends further opportunities for Canadian industry to comment on the draft legislation, including new substantive amendments proposed by Minister Champagne on November 28. [...] We appreciate the engagement and the efforts that the government has taken to develop regulatory frameworks that balance the innovative potential of a rapidly evolving technology with the risks and challenges it could present to Canadians. [...] • In November 2023, the Canadian Chamber sent a letter to the INDU Committee and Minister Champagne’s Office reiterating the importance of consistent dialogue between the Government of Canada and the private sector at a critical period in this legislative process. [...] Given that INDU hearings on C-27 following the Minister’s Amendments pertaining to AIDA are limited to only five hearings in total, with February 7 being the only hearing that businesses were able to testify, we are seriously concerned about the lack of Canadian companies having had the opportunity to testify, particularly SMEs, the backbone of the Canadian economy. [...] This letter, submitted on behalf of the members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, is a request for your Committee to have further consultations and hearings on AIDA to ensure INDU hears from companies of all sizes and sectors of the economy, in particular Canadian companies and SMEs.