Advocacy Updates
The latest on our advocacy efforts.
Read the highlights of CICC’s ongoing advocacy efforts across Canada for the month of February.
Last updated February 25, 2026.
Federal Updates
The federal government has updated the Contraventions Regulations, making more offences under the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act ticketable and increasing associated fines. This does not change what products are legal, but they change how rules are enforced.
What has Changed
- More offences are now ticketable.
- Inspectors can issue tickets instead of warnings or court action.
- Fines have increased.
- The contraventions framework has been expanded to cover more provisions.
Impact for Retailers
Compliance vigilance is essential. Previously warning-level situations may now result in a fine. Focus areas include ID checks, staff training, product compliance, and display requirements.
CICC is monitoring implementation and engaging federal officials to ensure enforcement is practical and targeted.
Atlantic Updates
In what many are calling the “toughest” provincial budget it in years, the Nova Scotia government is significantly altering the vape and tobacco markets for CICC retailers.
- Vape Tax Surge:
A new provincial vaping duty aligns with federal rates at $1.12 per 2ml/g for the first 10ml/g and per additional 10ml/g, effective April 1, replacing prior taxes. This near-doubling elevates retail prices—e.g., a 30ml bottle jumps to almost $5— undoubtedly boosting the black market.
- Tobacco Tax Outlook:
Forecasted tobacco tax revenue plummets to $73.9 million in 2026-27 from $93.3 million, demonstrating the government expects lower tobacco sales due to an already strong illicit market.
- Quiet on Beverage Alcohol:
The budget didn’t address any future actions to fulfill its commitment to introduce beverage alcohol to c-stores in the province. As a major priority, CICC continues to advocate on this issue.
CICC has been advocating for a rebate of the consumer carbon price that retailers paid before March 31, 2025, which was cancelled by the new Carney government on April 1. Before that date, gas stations and wholesale fuel providers bought fuel with the carbon price included resulting in unexpected losses.
The uncompensated cost for retailers is estimated at $100 million. CICC has recently discussed the issue with Atlantic MPs and local retailers and is encouraged that lawmakers recognize the concern with compensation expected soon.
In Prince Edward Island, Rob Lantz was elected permanent leader of the PC Party and Premier of PEI. CICC VP for Atlantic Canada, Mike Hammoud, is expected to meet with Premier Lantz in the near future. Meetings are also being arranged with Newfoundland and Labrador Finance Minister Craig Pardy. In Nova Scotia, Finance Minister John Lohr and colleagues have been invited to attend CICC’s Atlantic Retail Convenience Awards on April 13th.
Quebec Updates
On Tuesday, February 24, the Minister Delegate for the Economy and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Samuel Poulin, announced amendments to Bill 11 on deregulation, allowing both types of ready-to-drink beverages to now contain the same alcohol content (maximum 7%).
This means that, in addition to ready-to-drinks made from malt alcohol available outside the SAQ, those made from distilled alcohol will now also be permitted.
The Minister is responding to one of the priority requests submitted by the CICC. Details regarding distribution still need to be clarified. We are requesting that these products be made available in retail alongside other beer products.
A follow-up meeting is planned shortly with the Minister’s office to present our recommendations.
In Quebec, the recent by-election in the provincial riding of Chicoutimi provided CICC an opportunity to submit our proposals on our advocacy priorities with the candidates of all political parties. Candidates were invited to respond to a questionnaire on priority regulatory changes affecting the 43 convenience stores in the riding including the ban on vaping flavours, the repeal of the carbon tax, and several others).
CICC also took part in interviews with local media. This political initiative is the first step of a broader strategy that will allow us to advance our files over the coming months with the leadership of all political parties, in advance of the provincial election scheduled no later than October 5.
Listen to the Interview here (In French) and read the Press Release here (in French).
Ontario Updates
CICC continues to work closely with the provincial government to ensure that the newly announced LCBO wholesale pricing model benefits our retail members, recognizing that convenience stores have a limited ability to absorb higher costs under a one-size-fits-all system.
Additionally, we continue to highlight and reinforce the uniqueness of our channel, including our significant concerns around marketplace imbalances that disproportionately disadvantage our operators compared to larger footprint retailers.
To level the playing field, we are actively advocating for changes, including implementing interim stockpiling measures to protect stores from inventory shortages during the upcoming LCBO FSM system transition.
We are also thrilled to highlight a major advocacy win regarding our distribution change requests. During Monday’s Quarterly Trade Update call, the LCBO confirmed that we would be getting the distribution changes we had been lobbying for.
In an excerpt lifted from their slide presentation: “Convenience Store Distributors: Due to the unique challenges of convenience stores, LCBO is developing a new program to work with authorized distributors to improve service to these retailers by allowing products to be warehoused and delivered along with other non-alcohol products.” This victory also demonstrates that our ongoing advocacy has resonated with the government and the LCBO, leading them to adopt our “unique” messaging on the distinct challenges our sector faces.
On the issue of contraband tobacco, CICC is pushing for concrete action to disrupt the illicit market and enhance public safety. In addition to our ongoing asks for increased enforcement and funding, we are continuing to push the government to expand enforcement authority by deputizing a broader pool of municipal and provincial police officers to directly administer the act without first contacting the Ministry of Finance. Alongside these enforcement measures, we are strongly urging the government to mandate standardized certification and training for any store selling nicotine products, including tobacco, vapes, and pouches. Specifically, we recommend implementing the ID Please training program, or a similar standard, to ensure that only trained and certified individuals handle age-restricted sales.
With Queen’s Park returning on March 23rd and the 2026 Budget expected to be presented shortly after, we are pushing to ensure that these critical items—across both beverage alcohol and contraband tobacco—are included in the upcoming budget.
In Ontario, CICC submitted their pre-budget recommendations to call on the Ontario government to support local convenience retailers.
Key priorities shared were:
- Continued beverage Alcohol Reforms
- Contraband tobacco and underground economy issues
- Mandatory training for nicotine sales
- Retailer tax credit
Western Canada Updates
Edmonton Police recently seized 4,200 cartons of contraband cigarettes, highlighting how illegal tobacco fuels crime and threatens communities. Strong enforcement and support for legitimate retailers are key to keeping our neighborhoods safe.
The BC Government delivered a disappointing Budget recently. Luckily, the government did not hike tobacco taxes, but every income earner will be hit with higher taxes as the lowest income tax bracket increased 5.06% to 5.6%. The government is also pausing indexing for income tax brackets until 2030. This was certainly not an election budget, but it is not a given that it will pass the legislature either. We expect a very bumpy spring in BC politically speaking and will be pushing to get our issues into the fray.
In Alberta, the legislature resumes this week and CICC and Wellington Advocacy hosted a welcome back reception with c-store goodies to take home (thank you 7-Eleven Canada for the support)!
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.