Gervais Coulombe

Work with the Federal Government to promote responsible consumption of beverage alcohol and the appropriate use of Food & Drug Regulations, pertaining to beer and alcoholic beverage labeling. Work with the Federal government to improve domestic trade agreements for craft brewers. Improve existing internal trade agreements and modernize the excise tax structure to better support job creation, investment and economic growth across Canada. Respond to legislative efforts such as Bill S-254 (warning labels on alcoholic beverages) and M-61, that pertain to new labelling regulations for alcoholic products. Food and Drugs Act and Safe Food for Canadians Act as they pertain to the regulation of beer and alcoholic beverages.

Governmental policy towards medical cannabis research, product quality standards, medical cost coverage, and displacement of harder and more addictive drugs Regulations affiliated with Bill C- 45 regarding the legalization of cannabis. Formerly known as Bill C-45: An Act Respecting Cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts. Formerly known as Bill C-45: An Act Respecting Cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts. Cannabis Act SC 2018 S16 Cannabis Act; phased implementation of the Act and its impact on medical patients; development of regulations for the industry and the resulting tax implications of these regulations. Canada's policy regarding the rules governing the legalization of marijuana

Notice of Intent Surtax on China Steel & Aluminum under Section 53 Customs Tariff; International Trade - United States Surtax Orders 2025 under the Customs Tariff Act Communicating with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in regard to the 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), to inform discussions and to encourage Government of Canada alignment with the key principles of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy, WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030, and the UN 2018 Political Declaration on NCDs. Under the Excise Act, seeking the repeal of the automatic annual escalator on the federal excise duty and the introduction of new excise tiers with reduced rates for lower alcohol content beers. Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, pertaining to beer and alcoholic beverages. Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act as it pertains to internal trade of beverage alcohol. Food & Drugs Act and Safe Food For Canadians Act as they pertain to the regulation of beer and alcoholic beverages. Food & Drug Regulations, pertaining to beer and alcoholic beverages. Federal Budget as it pertains to beverage alcohol taxation or regulation. Communicating on proposed restrictions on the use of certain single-use plastics. Communicating on beverage alcohol drinking guidance and labelling. Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 as it pertains to use of certain single-use plastics.

Providing feedback and recommendations to Bill C-56, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act, as it relates to property owners, landlords and tenants. Engaging with government on policy related to housing, housing affordability, rental markets, and rental availability including economic impacts, tax policy and infrastructure.

The Cannabis Council is looking to actively engage the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and to gain support for efforts to improve consistency and quality of the value - added agricultural crop cannabis. The Cannabis Act and Excise Act: Revising the application of excise tax on medical cannabis. The Cannabis Act: Working to develop proposed amendments to the Legislation using the Statutory Review of the Act that was initiated in the Fall of 2022. The Cannabis Act: Working to develop proposed amendments to the Legislation using the Statutory Review of the Act that was initiated in the Fall of 2022. The Cannabis Act: Working to develop an appropriate marketing and branding regime that allows for producers to Differentiate their products through communication with consumers about product attributes. Seeking to eliminate the 2.3% regulatory fees charged by Health Canada. Working to improve the service standards for license changes, security clearance, export permits. Regional Economic Development. Seeking to build awareness about the sector and to encourage support from government regional and rural economic development programs. Helping to highlight the need for Diversity, Inclusion and Gender strategies within the cannabis sector. We are seeking to gain encouragement from the Government for progress in these areas. Excise Tax Framework on Cannabis products was fashioned on a premise of $ 1 in $ 10 as tax whereas in practical reality the tax is far more aggressive than planned, often coming in at or nearly 3 times higher at 30 %. This is severely compressing the financial viability of many licensed producers and processors, while keeping product prices high in comparison to competition in the legacy, illicit marketplace. CRA Excise stamp logistics and placement on adult consumer use cannabis products and co packing supply chain realities that run up against the Excise Tax Act. Cannabis Economic Development. The cannabis industry is engaging with ISED which has a new mandate to promote economic development activity stemming from the legalization of cannabis and the emergence of a robust eco system across the country. Cannabis Amnesty. The Council is actively engaged in encouraging government officials to take a proactive stance in the elimination/ expungement of Canadians with Criminal records for the posession of Cannabis for personal consumption. Calling for enhanced inclusion in Government Agency Programs at Business Development Bank (BDC) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) as well as Export Development Canada (EDC) for the Cannabis Sector. The Cannabis Act: Working to develop an appropriate marketing and branding regime that allows for producers to Differentiate their products through communication with consumers about product attributes.

Providing recommendations to support policy development for talent and research initiatives in key priority areas, such as defence and artificial intelligence, particularly in regards to coordination with provincial and industry stakeholders. Related to various FedDev and FedNor programs and universities' role in regional economic and community development. Related to international study permits, provincial allocations and permit processing backlogs. Issues of federal - provincial cooperation relating to funding of postsecondary education and the provision of financial assistance to postsecondary students. Increased scholarship funding for domestic and international graduate students. Funding university research. Funding would be used by universities to facilitate medical or scientific research. Funding for universities to construct new buildings, housing and residences or upgrade existing facilities. Eligibility of universities for green funding to reduce GHG emissions.

The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) has significantly expanded the gatekeeper obligation through recent enforcement decisions in a way that departs from historical practice, creating uncertainty, fairness concerns, and increased risk for investment dealers. We argue that any change to the gatekeeper standard should be made transparently through formal rulemaking or policy development (not through enforcement) so the industry has clear, consistent, and workable guidance. Pre-budget consultation: Suggesting that the government create a more attractive investment environment by streamlining regulatory processes and reducing bureaucratic hurdles that often deter both domestic and foreign capital. Pre-budget consultation: Suggesting implementing a program that promotes entrepreneurship; Suggesting a Pro-Canada Investing program; Suggesting implementing a targeted foreign direct investment program. Pre-budget Consultation: Suggesting encouraging capital investment in early-stage “junior” companies listed on Canada’s two venture exchanges (TMX-V and CSE) by allowing capital gains on these investments to be tax-free; Suggesting implementing reforms to existing tax-assisted retirement savings programs; Suggesting a federal tax system and spending comprehensive and independent review. GST/HST on Trailer Commissions. CRA has reversed its longstanding position on GST/HST on Trailer Commissions (mutual funds). We believe the reversal does not take into account the negative impact on Investment Dealers, does not benefit CRA or investors, and should be reassessed.

Organize meetings and hold discussions with public office holders to express the ineffectiveness of requiring tobacco manufacturers to pay for the cost of federal public health investments in tobacco control considering that the federal government already collects billions of dollars annually from the sale of legal tobacco products in Canada. This commitment is reflected in the mandate letter of the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.

Discuss Canadian Centre on Substance Use suggestions for safe drinking guidelines. Ensure gov't policy is based on more than one study. Responding to Finance Canada's countermeasures action against the United States in response to tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum products. Advocating for exemption or other relief. Excise Escalator Tax. Advocating for repeal of the automatic annual escalator to the federal excise duty.