Advocacy Updates
The latest on our advocacy efforts.
Read the highlights of CICC’s ongoing advocacy efforts across Canada for the month of June.
Last updated June 24, 2026.
Federal Updates
CICC is Meeting with the Financial Crimes Agency on Wednesday, June 24 to better understand the agency’s mandate and enforcement priorities.
Our objective is to ensure CICC’s priorities and concerns are understood early as the agency is developed.
CICC and CEMA remain engaged with Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions) Wayne Long’s office on the carbon and excise tax rebates, with discussions also taking place with Finance Minister Champagne’s office and the PMO.
Additional information about retailers was requested and provided by staff in the Minister’s office.
CICC continues to closely monitor federal activity related to nicotine pouches. We are awaiting the results of the CICC-commissioned KPMG illicit pouch market analysis and the EY report to seek a meeting with the Health Minister to present updated stats.
Atlantic Updates
New Brunswick Energy & Utilities Board is currently conducting a retail margin review for motor fuels with a formal hearing scheduled for August 10 to 12. CICC is participating as an intervener in collaboration with the Canadian Energy Marketers Association.
The Prince Edward Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission is currently conducting a review of retail motor fuel margins and the regulated price-setting mechanism. A Board consultant’s report has been published, and a proceeding schedule is pending. CICC has been accepted as a recognized intervener in the proceeding.
The annual CICC Maritime Golf Tournament, was held in PEI, at Mill River resort for the first time. The weather was excellent, with a large contingency of participants, and over $12,000 raised for the PEI Boys and Girls club.
While in PEI, both CICC President and CEO, Anne Kothawala, and VP for Atlantic Canada, Mike Hammoud, had the opportunity to have conversations with senior officials in the PEI Government to encourage expanded convenience store beverage alcohol retailing, and more support to fight contraband tobacco and the growing size of the black market.
Nova Scotia Energy Board issued an order in late May increasing motor fuel retail margins on an interim basis to protect continuity of supply. The Board also indicated at the time that it was initiating a formal margin review, and a proceeding schedule is pending.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a meeting is still in the works with new Finance Minister Craig Pardy.
The agenda for the meeting includes contraband tobacco and improved beer margins.
Quebec Updates
On Thursday, June 11, the CAQ government adopted Bill 9, prohibiting the sale of energy drinks to anyone under the age of 16, despite the absence of consultation with retailers.
The measure will come into force around mid-December 2026.
Read our statement here.
A major police operation conducted on Tuesday, June 16, targeting a criminal organization suspected of importing and distributing flavoured vaping products prohibited in Quebec led to the seizure of more than 300,000 vaping devices and refills, as well as cigars, contraband cigarettes and $500,000 in cash. Authorities also froze more than $1.8 million in bank accounts and shut down the website vapme.ca.
The searches, carried out at roughly 20 residences and businesses across the province with the participation of about 120 peace officers, were aimed in particular at reducing young people’s access to these products, as several of the targeted locations were near schools or places frequented by teenagers.
No arrests are planned at this time, but charges related to tobacco legislation, fraud and money laundering could follow.
Ontario Updates
CICC is continuing to press the Minister of Finance and LCBO leadership to resolve issues in the new convenience distribution program that will have an impact on all members.
CICC is actively lobbying for a level playing field by harmonizing shelf space requirements across all products, which disproportionally impacts convenience retailers.
CICC is capitalizing on the momentum of recent major contraband tobacco busts to reinforce the urgency of this file.
We are positioning illicit trade not just as a retail issue, but as a massive hit to provincial tax revenues and public safety.
Western Canada Updates
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