Jean-Francois Marion

General discussions related to health policy developments of importance to the spirits sector. Advocating for the continued protection and enforcement of the term “Rye” under the Canada–EU Agreement, ensuring that products labeled as Rye whisky in the EU are made in Canada. Engaging with the Government of Canada and relevant departments to discuss the impact of Canada-US tariffs on Canadian spirits in light of the new U.S. administration. Address the exclusion of spirits from the temporary tax exemption measures announced for the period of 14 December 2024 to 14 February 2025.

Advocating for the continued protection and enforcement of the term “Rye” under the Canada–EU Agreement, ensuring that products labeled as Rye whisky in the EU are made in Canada. Engaging with the Government of Canada and relevant departments to discuss the impact of Canada-US tariffs on Canadian spirits in light of the new U.S. administration. Working with the Department of Finance to limit the escalator on Excise taxes for alcoholic beverages to 2% for 2 years Federal budget, taxation and or regulation of distilled spirits. Food and drugs act, excise tax 2001 as they pertain to the regulation and taxation of spirits. Consumer packaging and labeling act as they pertain to labeling requirements for spirits. Working with the Department of Health to assure that safe drinking standards are based in science. International trade: specifically, as at impacts both importers and exporters of spirits in Canada and internationally. Internal trade: specifically, encouraging the adoption of policies that support local producers across Canada to get their products more easily to consumers in other provinces. Food and drug regulations as they pertain to the production of spirits. Excise regulations as they pertain to the taxation of spirits.

Providing industry input to Senators on Bill S-202 and its proposed alcohol health warnings, focusing on scientific accuracy, consumer impacts, and economic considerations. Monitoring and engaging on labour, trade, and supply chain issues affecting beverage alcohol. General discussions related to health policy developments of importance to the spirits sector. Advocating for the continued protection and enforcement of the term “Rye” under the Canada–EU Agreement, ensuring that products labeled as Rye whisky in the EU are made in Canada. Engaging with the Government of Canada and relevant departments to discuss the impact of Canada-US tariffs on Canadian spirits in light of the new U.S. administration. Address the exclusion of spirits from the temporary tax exemption measures announced for the period of 14 December 2024 to 14 February 2025.

Engaging with the Ministry of Transport on supply chain matters and impact on business operations. Trade policy as it relates to the import and export of spirits (EU and UK Free Trade Agreements; Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) Tax policy on alcohol related to the enabling environment and competitiveness of spirits (addressing the impact of the escalator excise tax on the alcohol industry) Policy affecting women and gender equality, as it relates to empowering women and promoting the representation of women in the food & beverages industry Interprovincial trade barriers related to the spirits business, including e-commerce/direct-to-consumer Environmental policy as it relates to the alcohol industry; measures on plastic/polyethylene terephthalate, carbon, recycling (extended producer responsibility programs) Engaging with Ministry of Transportation, Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada and Foreign Affairs on WHO’s Global Alcohol Strategy and actions undertaken by the industry in Canada to reduce harmful drinking Agriculture policy as it relates to promoting sustainable agriculture

Alcohol Harm Reduction National and international policy and regulations to reduce harmful alcohol consumption Tariff relief or remission orders associated with international trade. Economic Development of wine country cluster growth Monitor the World Wine Trade Group Labelling Agreement. Monitor the Income Tax Act in relation to replant expenditures, tax deductions, tax credits Monitor the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act in relation to inter-provincial trade issues Monitor the Excise Tax Act as it pertains to tax issues affecting the Canadian wine industry Monitor the Canadian Free Trade Agreement as it pertains to interprovincial direct-to-consumers shipping of Canadian wine Monitor international trade challenges to Canadian wines in Canadian market Monitor international free trade agreements discussions as it pertains to international wine trade issues. Icewine Regulation (SOR/2014-10) Food and Drug Regulations Part B - Alcoholic Beverages Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Chapter 10 - Guide to the Labelling of Alcoholic Beverages Awarded funding to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriMarketing Program for export programming support for 2023-2026 activities. Application to obtain contribution from the AgriMarketing Program to be directed to export promotion of Canadian wines and internationally-related issues affecting the Canadian wine industry