Advocacy Updates
The latest on our advocacy efforts.
Read the highlights of CICC’s ongoing advocacy efforts across Canada. Updates are added regularly and reflect our work on behalf of the convenience industry.
-
Western Canada
-
Ontario
-
Quebec
-
Atlantic Canada
CICC continues to engage Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal government on our key issues. In the coming weeks, we will be meeting with key staff on our priority files, including the Minister of Health’s office and the Tobacco Control Directorate, to discuss contraband tobacco and to end the ban on nicotine pouches in our channel. CICC has also participated in government consultations ahead of the Carney government’s fall 2025 budget, asking the government to tackle credit card fees, increase funding for the RCMP to combat contraband tobacco, address interprovincial barriers, streamline small business regulations, and harmonize the rules our members face daily.
CICC’s President and CEO, Anne Kothawala was invited to attend the Council of the Federation’s dinner during the 2025 Summer Meeting of Canada’s Premiers, hosted by Ontario Premier Doug Ford from July 21 to 23 at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario. This exclusive event brought together provincial and territorial leaders to discuss key national issues. Anne had the opportunity to represente the industry with several Premiers.
Baskets featuring an assortment of new and innovative products were also delivered to each Premier’s room.
Contraband tobacco remains a serious public safety, economic, and community issue in Canada — and a priority for CICC’s advocacy efforts. In her latest Toronto Sun column, Anne Kothawala reinforces the urgent need for stronger enforcement and collective action to address this ongoing problem.
In early January, CICC received confirmation from BC’s Attorney General that Bill 24: Vaping Product Damages & Health Care Cost Recovery Act does not apply to retailers.
CICC is also working to refine our proposal for beverage alcohol sales in Saskatchewan. This advocacy effort will take some time and we dont’ expect immediate changes but are hopeful a new Minister and some polling data will led to a concrete framework.
We welcome the Government of Alberta’s bold new steps to fight contraband tobacco, including tougher penalties, increased enforcement and coordinated seizure reporting. These actions are a big win for legitimate retailers, public safety and fair competition.
Read the full press release here.
CICC presented to legislative committee on Bill 8 dealing with beverage alcohol licenses in Manitoba. It was a great opportunity to reiterate our industry’s record for compliance with the sale of age-restricted products.
The B.C. government unexpectedly tabled a Bill on October 9 proposing to recover health care costs for vaping. We are monitoring and trying to assess its impact on members.
The BC Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services released their Budget 2026 consultation report in August. The report highlights CICC’s recommendations, including action on contraband tobacco, a moratorium on tobacco taxes, and support for production innovation, such as beverage alcohol sales in BC convenience stores.
Sara MacIntyre, CICC’s VP for Western Canada attended the Saskatchewan Party’s Regina Golf Tournament, spending the day discussing the illegal tobacco issue in Western Canada with Justice Minister Tim McLeod (who proved to be a great golfer!). She also followed up with Minister Ross regarding beverage alcohol sales in convenience stores, with a follow-up meeting with SLGA and the Minister scheduled for this fall.
In addition to several ministerial conversations, Sara MacIntyre, CICC’s VP for Western Canada, had the opportunity to speak with Premier Smith. She reiterated our industry’s support for the Alberta government’s action on contraband tobacco and encouraged continued leadership on this issue across provinces.
There also appears to be some early interest from the B.C. government on this file (finally). Sara is scheduled to meet with B.C.’s Public Safety and Attorney General later this month.
In Ontario, CICC is still pushing for stronger action on contraband tobacco, building on recent commitments in the 2024 and 2025 Budgets, while working with law enforcement partners to secure additional resources. We’re also maintaining dialogue with provincial officials to ensure regulations regarding modern oral nicotine products remain on the government’s radar.
We’re using pre-budget submissions to raise awareness of credit card fee challenges and advocate for tax credits to support retailers. CICC is also monitoring public safety measures and advocating stronger policies to protect retail workers.
September marks one year since alcohol became available in Ontario convenience stores, and what a year it’s been! Stores have seen an average sales increase of 12%, with long weekends like Victoria Day and Canada Day driving a 33% boost in traffic. Ontario’s craft breweries, wineries, and cideries have benefited too, while customers enjoy the convenience of buying alcohol closer to home, beyond traditional retail hours.
While much has been achieved, there’s still work to do to ensure broader distribution and availability across all communities. Read Anne Kothawala’s statement here.
The first year of success hasn’t gone unnoticed—here’s some of the media coverage highlighting this milestone:
Here’s to continued growth for convenience stores across Canada!
The ability to sell beverage alcohol in our channel has been great for the industry, but many issues still need to be addressed. CICC continues to collaborate with the Premier’s Office, the Minister of Finance’s Office, and the Attorney General to address the various items that we have identified. CICC continues to advocate for changes to the existing distribution system, as well as ensuring that pricing considers the distinct nature of our industry.
Following CICC’s budget wins on contraband tobacco in the spring, we continue to work closely with the Solicitor General’s office to keep moving the file forward. Earlier this month, CICC President and CEO, Anne Kothawala, wrote the Minister asking him to increase funding to expand the pool of eligible law enforcement officers who are designated and able to respond directly to tobacco enforcement matters.
In the lead-up to the 2026 Quebec election, CICC is advancing a focused advocacy and mobilization plan to improve business conditions for convenience stores. Our priority is to encourage the CAQ government to introduce regulatory relief measures before the election, while also engaging opposition parties to ensure convenience retail is clearly reflected in their platforms.
Key requests include easing the ban on flavoured vaping products, allowing convenience stores to sell smoking cessation products, and eliminating measures such as the carbon tax, minimum gasoline pricing, and real-time fuel price display.
To support this work, CICC will concentrate efforts in approximately 25 strategic ridings, including those represented by cabinet ministers, opposition critics, and regions with a strong concentration of convenience stores and local businesses.
By summer 2026, we expect to see concrete regulatory relief announced ahead of the election, as well as clear commitments to support local commerce included in the platforms of at least two provincial political parties.
Following the October 29 press conference at the Québec Parliamentary Press Gallery and meetings with MNAs from the CAQ and PLQ, we recently sent follow-up messages to 25 strategic MNAs and ministers to maintain pressure on the Quebec vaping products file. Our focus remains on reversing the unintended impacts of the blanket flavour ban, which has shifted legal sales to the black market and hurt retailers across the province.
The Premier’s Office has designated Minister Samuel Poulin as our point of contact on this issue, an important step forward. We are requesting a meeting to discuss three priority regulatory changes:
- allowing adult vaping flavours,
- permitting sales of smoking-cessation products
- easing fuel-related regulations and carbon pricing.
Watch the full press conference here (in French).
The CICC will mark the second anniversary of the flavour ban in vaping products by issuing a press release on October 31, highlighting the government’s lack of enforcement of this regulation, as no inspections have been conducted since its introduction.
Recent data shows a steady increase in youth vaping over the past two years, with many obtaining products from the illegal market. These figures underscore the unintended and negative consequences of this regulation.
In an effort to reverse the CAQ (Coalition Avenir Quebec)’s declining poll numbers one year ahead of the provincial election, François Legault has announced significant cabinet changes and outlined new government priorities.
CICC plans to engage with the Premier and all members of his new cabinet to propose a series of measures aligned with these priorities — aimed at supporting the recovery of the convenience sector and safeguarding the regions that depend on its services.
On June 2, Quebec officially abolished the minimum price on gasoline, a regulation in place since 1997. This decision was part of an amendment to Bill 69 on Energy, adopted under closure. Despite our joint advocacy efforts with the Association des Distributeurs d’Essence du Québec (ADEQ) during the Commission hearings, the government remained firm in its intent to deregulate, particularly in the context of maintaining the federal carbon tax exclusively in Quebec.
In addition, a new requirement will soon come into effect mandating all fuel retailers to display real-time price changes on their own websites. This measure, set to be enforced by the Régie de l’Énergie starting next year, adds to the administrative responsibilities of retailers.
We remain actively engaged on this issue and will continue to advocate for streamlined regulatory requirements and reduced administrative burdens.
We are gearing up for the NBEUB Matter No. PT-005-2025, a review as a consequence of the repeal of the cost of carbon adjustor from the Petroleum Products Pricing Act. It is happening on February 24-25. Our pre-budget submission will be submitted in February.
In January, CICC submitted our pre-budget submission, highlighting the loss of tax revenues due to contraband tobacco and the opportunity for new tax revenue from a new policy to expand beverage alcohol into Nova Scotia Convenience stores. On the latter, more meetings will be planned and executed to advocate for the Government to move forward on their 2025 promise for broader retail access.
PEI is in the middle of a leadership contest to determine who the next Premier will be. There are two candidates, Rob Lantz and Mark Ledwell. Both are pro-business and should be good to work with on CICC files. In addition, we have submitted our pre-budget submission. Provinces like PEI stand to gain back taxes being lost due to contraband.
We have requested a meeting with the new Premier, the Honorable Tony Wakeman to discuss member issues.
In New Brunswick, CICC has secured an important victory for fuel retailers. Following the government’s plan to remove the Cost of Carbon Adjuster from the weekly fuel-pricing formula—which would have resulted in an average loss of 8 cents per litre for retailers—CICC intervened at the recent NBEUB hearing.
CICC demonstrated that the Cost of Carbon Adjuster was never a retailer expense, but a pass-through cost linked to the federal Clean Fuels Regulation. After presenting strong evidence at the November 27 hearing, the Board approved a temporary increase to the wholesale margin until the full hearing on February 24, 2026.
This is an important first step toward securing a permanent, fair solution. CICC will continue to advocate to ensure New Brunswick retailers are protected as the process moves forward.
In New Brunswick, CICC warns that the government’s proposal to eliminate the Cost of Carbon Adjustor could severely impact the province’s motor fuel sector. Industry leaders caution that this move may lead to fuel shortages, increased prices, and jeopardize the viability of local fuel retailers, especially in rural areas. We urge the government to await the Energy and Utilities Board’s ongoing review before making any decisions.
For more details, read the full press release here.
In Nova Scotia, we will work with the stakeholders throughout October and November to encourage the provincial government to move forward with expanding beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverage sales in convenience stores by spring 2026. We are also advocating for improved retail margins for beer retailers in Newfoundland and Labrador.
We’re participating in retail margin regulatory reviews and hearings across all four Atlantic provinces and meeting with Atlantic Finance Ministers to advocate for coordinated law enforcement efforts to curb the flow of contraband tobacco entering through the Quebec–New Brunswick border.
The success of alcohol sales in Ontario has already inspired similar initiatives in other provinces, such as Nova Scotia, to explore how modernized alcohol access through convenience stores can support local businesses and communities.
Learn more here: Modernizing Alcohol Sales: A Win for Nova Scotia.
CICC also continues to advocate with provincial governments for improved margins in stores already licensed to sell beer, wine and RTDs, and for a broader, more open retail channel across the Maritimes.
Over the summer, two wholesale margin reviews were completed in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, along with a retail margin review in New Brunswick, and the industry is now awaiting regulator decisions with optimism for positive results.
As we head into fall, CICC Atlantic is closely monitoring a major potential regulated motor fuel policy change in New Brunswick. This proposal could seriously threaten the province’s motor fuel supply chain. With no logic behind the policy, industry is pushing back strongly to protect the interests of retailers and consumers.
In Nova Scotia, public consultations on the Government’s commitment to explore expanding beer and wine to the convenience channel have concluded. This summer, CICC will focus on engaging stakeholders through meetings and launching a social media campaign to highlight the many benefits of this potential new category. The campaign will emphasize added convenience for shoppers, positive economic impacts for the province, and a valuable new sales channel for local beverage alcohol producers. Read our official release here.
The campaign has already gained strong media attention. Watch Mike’s recent interview with Global News and read coverage from CityNews Halifax, highlighting our ongoing efforts to support this important opportunity for retailers and communities.
The Latest
Get Certified.Sell Responsibly.
Ensure your employees are certified to responsibly sell alcohol with CICC’s ID Please SABR course. CICC Members receive preferred pricing.