Organization
Polytechnics Canada
- Meetings this Parliament
- 102
- With MPs
- 19
- Since Nov 2021
- 263
- Active registrations
- 1
Most recent reported meeting: Sep 29, 2026.
Lobbying by Polytechnics Canada: its registrations, its lobbyists, the bills it has named and every meeting it has reported with federal office holders since November 2021.
← LobbyingRegistrations in effect
In-house (organization) In effect since Sep 11, 2026
Filed by Sarah Watts-Rynard, Chief Executive Officer
Lobbyists
- Alex Hornby · Manager of Operations
- Diana Trudel · Policy Analyst
- Kamila Graczyk · Communications Coordinator
- Margaret Myers · Junior Communications Coordinator
- Ricardo Arena · Director of Policy
- Sarah Watts-Rynard · Chief Executive Officer
Institutions they may lobby: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Canadian Heritage (PCH), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev), Finance Canada (FIN), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Health Canada (HC), House of Commons, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), National Defence (DND), National Research Council (NRC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Privy Council Office (PCO), Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC), Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), Senate of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Statistics Canada (StatCan), Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Women and Gender Equality (WAGE)
What they're lobbying on (12)Hide details
- Tax policy affecting philanthropy, small business innovation and post-secondary institutions; tax benefits and credits for apprentices; tax benefits and credits for employers.
- Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics.
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, College and Community Innovation Program; tri-council structure and funding; eligibility of polytechnics and colleges for research funding and research support; Horizon Europe and opportunities for polytechnics to engage in international research partnerships.
- Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations.
- Supports, programs and policies designed to boost innovation and productivity; technology adoption; respond to skills needs; polytechnics and colleges as innovation intermediaries.
- Student housing; funding to support equipment purchase for training in high-demand fields, infrastructure programs geared to the post-secondary sector.
- Respond to consultations and advocate for change to international student policy; consider how polytechnics/colleges support inward and outward student mobility; consider international best practices for workforce development and applied research; better integration of newcomers through credential recognition, prior learning recognition and upskilling.
- Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
- Adequate financial support for learners through the Canada Student Loan Program and other student-centered programs; Edu-Canada marketing and branding initiatives.
- Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations related to productivity, business innovation, technology adoption and artificial intelligence.
- Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
- Canada Foundation for Innovation - Seek ongoing infrastructure support for the applied research conducted by colleges and Polytechnics.
Registration 940122-12991-79. Look it up in the official Registry
Reported meetings
Spreadsheet-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Paul Thompson · Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Kristina Namiesnoiwski · Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Atiq Rahman · Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Catherine Demers · Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
and 2 moreShow fewer
- Lori Brooks · Director General, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Helen Smith · Director General, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations. Read more
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- steven coté · Director General, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- David hartnett · Manager, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Jean-François LaRue · Executive Director, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations. Read more
Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Barbara Haidn · Senior advisor, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
- jacqueline cuffley · Manager, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations related to productivity, business innovation, technology adoption and artificial intelligence. Read more
Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations.
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Francis Bilodeau · Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations related to productivity, business innovation, technology adoption and artificial intelligence. Read more
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics.
Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Edward Irving · Director, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Manal Bahubeshi · Associate Vice-President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Supports, programs and policies designed to boost innovation and productivity; technology adoption; respond to skills needs; polytechnics and colleges as innovation intermediaries. Read more
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, College and Community Innovation Program; tri-council structure and funding; eligibility of polytechnics and colleges for research funding and research support; Horizon Europe and opportunities for polytechnics to engage in international research partnerships.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Sarah Strapps · Director, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects. Read more
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Iqra Khalid · Member of Parliament
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics. Read more
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations related to productivity, business innovation, technology adoption and artificial intelligence.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Rhonda Fernandes · Director of Operations, Privy Council Office (PCO)
Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations. Read more
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Tom Kmiec · Member of Parliament
Respond to consultations and advocate for change to international student policy; consider how polytechnics/colleges support inward and outward student mobility; consider international best practices for workforce development and applied research; better integration of newcomers through credential recognition, prior learning recognition and upskilling. Read more
Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations.
Tax policy affecting philanthropy, small business innovation and post-secondary institutions; tax benefits and credits for apprentices; tax benefits and credits for employers.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Randy Hoback · Member of Parliament
Supports, programs and policies designed to boost innovation and productivity; technology adoption; respond to skills needs; polytechnics and colleges as innovation intermediaries. Read more
Tax policy affecting philanthropy, small business innovation and post-secondary institutions; tax benefits and credits for apprentices; tax benefits and credits for employers.
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Sheila Kennedy · A/Director, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations related to productivity, business innovation, technology adoption and artificial intelligence. Read more
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Karen Vecchio · Member of Parliament, House of Commons
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects. Read more
Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Edward Irving · Director, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics. Read more
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, College and Community Innovation Program; tri-council structure and funding; eligibility of polytechnics and colleges for research funding and research support; Horizon Europe and opportunities for polytechnics to engage in international research partnerships.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Tracy Gray · Member of Parliament, House of Commons
Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations. Read more
Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Michelle Gravelle · Director General, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics. Read more
Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Bryce McRae · Manager of Stakeholder Relations, House of Commons
Highly skilled workforce; in-demand occupations. Read more
Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work-integrated learning; upskilling and reskilling policies, programs and funding; apprenticeship training, attraction, retention and completion, including on federal projects.
Participate in all relevant policy discussions and consultations about academic research funding, business innovation and applied research; how businesses, non-profits and other enterprises benefit from innovation supports from academic institutions/polytechnics.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Edward Irving · Director, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, College and Community Innovation Program; tri-council structure and funding; eligibility of polytechnics and colleges for research funding and research support; Horizon Europe and opportunities for polytechnics to engage in international research partnerships. Read more
Seeking funding for the activities of polytechnics and colleges in areas including workforce development, applied research and infrastructure/equipment.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Bryan May · Member of Parliament, House of Commons
Innovation - participate in all relevant policy discussions on applied research and commercialization, including discussions on including innovation in federal procurement. Read more
Seeking increased funding for NSERC's College and Community Innovation program; equitable treatment and financial support for apprenticeship students; and harnessing the experience and potential of underemployed foreign trained professionals living in Canada.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council - Changes to the College and Community Innovation Program and other NSERC programs to allow for additional proposals from each institution.
Education - Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work integrated learning.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Matthew O'Connell · Senior Policy Advisor, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Innovation - participate in all relevant policy discussions on applied research and commercialization, including discussions on including innovation in federal procurement. Read more
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Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Nipun Vats · Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Innovation - participate in all relevant policy discussions on applied research and commercialization, including discussions on including innovation in federal procurement. Read more
Seeking increased funding for NSERC's College and Community Innovation program; equitable treatment and financial support for apprenticeship students; and harnessing the experience and potential of underemployed foreign trained professionals living in Canada.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Valerie Bradford · Member of Parliament, House of Commons
Policies relating to international student recruitment and student visas. Read more
Seeking increased funding for NSERC's College and Community Innovation program; equitable treatment and financial support for apprenticeship students; and harnessing the experience and potential of underemployed foreign trained professionals living in Canada.
Innovation - participate in all relevant policy discussions on applied research and commercialization, including discussions on including innovation in federal procurement.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Alejandro Adem · President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Manal Bahubeshi · Associate Vice-President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Robbyn Plumb · Associate Vice-President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Edward Irving · Director, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Innovation - participate in all relevant policy discussions on applied research and commercialization, including discussions on including innovation in federal procurement. Read more
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council - Changes to the College and Community Innovation Program and other NSERC programs to allow for additional proposals from each institution.
Seeking increased funding for NSERC's College and Community Innovation program; equitable treatment and financial support for apprenticeship students; and harnessing the experience and potential of underemployed foreign trained professionals living in Canada.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Francis Bilodeau · Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Seeking increased funding for NSERC's College and Community Innovation program; equitable treatment and financial support for apprenticeship students; and harnessing the experience and potential of underemployed foreign trained professionals living in Canada. Read more
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council - Changes to the College and Community Innovation Program and other NSERC programs to allow for additional proposals from each institution.
Innovation - participate in all relevant policy discussions on applied research and commercialization, including discussions on including innovation in federal procurement.
Education - Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work integrated learning.
-
Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Paul Thompson · Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Education - Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work integrated learning. Read more
Edu-Canada branding and marketing initiatives with respect to promoting Canadian college and polytechnic education in foreign markets.
Timely, relevant collection of post-secondary education and research data, and labour market information, with respect to analysis and current and possible future initiatives in the college/polytechnic sector.
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Reported by Sarah Watts-Rynard · In-house (organization)
- Jasraj Hallan · Member of Parliament
- Marty Morantz · Member of Parliament, House of Commons
Education - Participate in all relevant policy discussions about skills training and work integrated learning. Read more
Seeking increased funding for NSERC's College and Community Innovation program; equitable treatment and financial support for apprenticeship students; and harnessing the experience and potential of underemployed foreign trained professionals living in Canada.
Timely, relevant collection of post-secondary education and research data, and labour market information, with respect to analysis and current and possible future initiatives in the college/polytechnic sector.
Innovation - participate in all relevant policy discussions on applied research and commercialization, including discussions on including innovation in federal procurement.
Policies relating to international student recruitment and student visas.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council - Changes to the College and Community Innovation Program and other NSERC programs to allow for additional proposals from each institution.
From the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying's open data, published November 5, 2026. Reports cover oral, arranged meetings with designated public office holders since November 22, 2021; lobbyists file them by the 15th of the following month. Names of MPs are matched to the current House of Commons, and bills are linked when the lobbyist's own description makes clear which bill it means. Contains information licensed under the Open Data Licence Agreement — Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying. Licence. PolitiKit is independent and is not endorsed by the Commissioner of Lobbying.