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Advocacy Updates

The latest on our advocacy efforts.

Read the highlights of CICC’s ongoing advocacy efforts across Canada for the month of October. 

Last updated October 23, 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.

Atlantic Updates

Three regulatory reviews under way in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia could affect motor fuel retailers’ profitability and the way regulated pump prices are calculated.

In Prince Edward Island, IRAC’s pricing and margin review (PMC25-01) is examining retail margins, the pricing benchmark and other elements of motor fuel pricing, including federal Clean Fuel Regulations compliance costs. The Commission’s consultant’s report has undergone written questioning by Commission staff and interveners, including the CICC. The review remains ongoing, and the CICC has been urging timely completion to reduce uncertainty for the industry.

In Nova Scotia, the Energy Board’s retail margin review (M12800) is examining  whether regulated margins adequately reflect retailers’ operating costs and profitability, together with a market adjustor allowance for credit card fees. Interim increases took effect on May 29, 2026, including a 1.7 cent-per-litre increase in the minimum self-service margin. A Board consultant’s report was released on October 20 with a recommendation for a 45.5% increase in margins over the last margin setting in 2021. This is just a recommendation and the review proceeding must still be completed.

The Board is also conducting a separate clean fuel adjustor review (M12909) examining how federal Clean Fuel Regulations compliance costs are reflected in regulated fuel prices. An interim methodology change took effect July 3, using the Argus Canada compliance cost measure while the broader review proceeds. The Board consultant’s report has been published and information requests from interveners have been submitted with responses due October 22. The Board has not determined yet whether there will be a public oral hearing or a “paper” hearing with summary arguments submitted by interveners.

Mike Hammoud will be meeting with New Brunswick and PEI Finance Ministers in the coming weeks to discuss strategies for curtailing black market nicotine products, and the opportunity for beer and RTD’s to be retailed in local corner stores. Mike will also be meeting officials in the Province of Nova Scotia, with a view to re-engaging on the discussion of broader access to beverage alcohol.

Quebec Updates

The CICC’s advocacy during Québec’s election campaign helped bring the regulatory burden facing convenience stores into the political debate, with tangible results. All five major political parties responded to the CICC’s questionnaire, with the Parti Québécois committing to ease regulation on convenience stores and the Québec Liberal Party and Conservative Party expressing support for regulatory relief.
 
The campaign also raised the visibility of convenience store closures and their consequences for local communities, securing front-page coverage in regional newspapers, radio interviews and media reach across approximately 75 ridings. These efforts helped elevate deregulation as an election issue and created opportunities for continued engagement under the minority government.
 
Next steps: The CICC will meet with elected officials to follow up on their commitments, seek a timeline for the PQ’s proposed deregulation secretariat and continue advancing key priorities, including flavoured vaping products, expanded beverage alcohol access, fair commercial terms for ready-to-drink beverages and clear, fair enforcement of new energy drink regulations. The CICC will also continue advocating for meaningful consultation and keep members informed of progress.

The CICC continues to work with the Québec government to seek clarity on Bill 9, particularly regarding which products fall under the new energy drink restrictions, the rules for online and remote sales, age-verification requirements and implementation timelines. We will continue advocating for clear, practical guidance to help retailers understand and comply with the new requirements.

Ontario Updates

CICC met with the Chief of Staff in the Minister of Finance’s Office last week to address our concerns about an unviable wholesale distribution program and push to harmonize the 20% local craft shelf-space requirement.

CICC is also advocating for action on contraband nicotine and treating it as a zero-cost revenue generator for the province. Our recommendations include cross-deputizing local police, transferring Tobacco Tax Act enforcement powers to the Ministry of Solicitor General while Finance retains revenue authority, and allowing police agencies to retain proceeds of crime.

CICC is finalizing research into contraband nicotine from EY and KPMG. Given Ontario’s substantial illicit market, CICC plans a targeted Ontario media release and op-ed in the coming weeks highlighting the resulting fiscal deficit.

Western Canada Updates

In early June, CICC’S VP for Western Canada, Sara MacIntyre presented our Budget 2027 recommendations to the BC Finance Committee in Kelowna.
 
Although our allotted presentation time was just 10 minutes, we were able to emphasize our industry’s top issues: contraband tobacco, the case for beverage alcohol sales and retail safety and theft in the province.
 
Our recommendations included a B.C. Contraband Tobacco Program and highlighted the progress made in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. 

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