Justin Weir

Legislative proposals and policy changes affecting local economies, the investment climate and general competitiveness of the beverage sector in Canada, including tax, tariff advertising, CUSMA, labelling and pre-budget consultations. Matters regarding the regulation of environmental labelling, recycled content and single-use plastics; discussion about the collection and recycling of beverage containers. Improving regulatory interpretation (guidance) development to enhance regulatory transparency and outcomes Food and Drug Regulations as it pertains to food ingredients, food additives, food labelling, food advertising and food safety. Beverage container recycling programs, recycling targets for beverage containers, a federal plastics registry, national standards for extended producer responsibility reporting, environmental labelling, recycled content requirements, microplastics, single-use plastics, and international plastics policy and agreements.

Provide support to the CBA who works on behalf of its members in collaboration with key stakeholders to strengthen, protect and promote a competitive business environment that inspires responsible and sustainable innovation and growth while contributing to a strong Canadian economy. Our work also supplements the CBA, who is committed to supporting the leadership of non-alcoholic beverage producers in driving Canada’s beverage container circular economy, meeting regulatory obligations through proactive stakeholder education and policy development.

Lobbying to advocate for a refundable tax credit for persons diagnosed with Celiac.

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.

CFIB supports the principle behind the Canada Jobs Grant but encourages flexibility in its implementation and consideration of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)' needs. For example, introducing a permanent refundable tax credits for co-op and internship hires and reducing red tape from programs like Canada Summer Jobs to make it easier for small businesses to continue hiring youth. Advocating on behalf of small and medium-sized businesses to facilitate trade between Canada and other countries (CAN-US tariffs, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Chinese tariffs). Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shares its suggestions for Budget 2026 focusing on: reducing the small business tax rate from 9% to 6% and increasing the small business deduction (SBD) threshold to $700,000 and index it to inflation going forward. Canada is experiencing an “entrepreneurial drought”: a sustained period where business closures consistently outpace new business starts, leading to a shrinking entrepreneurial base and declining confidence in entrepreneurship. CFIB recommends that reversing this trend should be treated as a national economic priority. Sharing small businesses' views on Labour Code changes, impact on small businesses and the need to ensure the fluidity of the supply chain. Sharing survey results on improving CFIA customer service to encourage the review of their operations to better meet the needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) - reducing red tape and facilitating food mobility within Canada. Sharing data information and recommendations related to the state of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) overall and for specific sectors which could also include provincial data. Promoting reforms to the Competition Act that will ensure small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete in today’s economy, especially as small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have noted an increase in large corporate giants within Canada. Shipping costs pose a significant barrier for small business, as such we continue to advocate for favourable shipping rates with carriers (including the cost of shipping along with better service levels and addressing the work stoppage at Canada Post). Presenting the views of small business owners based on our survey data to the Canada Revenue Agency to share ways of improving customer service interactions with small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to ease the tax burden on small business owners as well as increase accountability within the agency. CFIB continues to monitor the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Act on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and other issues raised related to the mandate of Health Canada. We also continue to monitor customer service interactions between our members and Health Canada. Any issues are raised with officials. CFIB advocates for simplification to the federal procurement process on behalf of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Lobbying to reduce Red Tape by focusing on removing interprovincial trade barriers, facilitating labour mobility and improving government customer service. This includes providing input for the consultations on the Annual Regulatory Modernization Bill. Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax Administration with regards to Transitional Rules, Out of Province Sales Rules, Point-of-Sale Rebate, and fillings. Retirement Income Policies, and proposed Canada Pension Plan increases. CFIB is against mandatory increases in Canada Pension Plan, and has provided alternative approaches. CFIB has also shared recommendations to reduce disincentives to work for older workers. Presenting the views of small business owners on infrastructure spending through member survey results, mandate votes and other CFIB research. Offering funding solutions and alternatives to government proposals on transit and infrastructure expansion. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

Engaging with government on policy related to housing, housing affordability, rental markets, and rental availability including economic impacts, tax policy and infrastructure.

Funding for Canada's Black Justice Strategy Funding for the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and the Federal GBV Strategy Bill C-9, with respect to gender-based hate Bill S-205, with respect to judicial oversight for segregation/isolation, and eligible community-based supports for prisoners facing systemic discrimination Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), with respect to the second-generation cut-off, the 1985 cut-off; and the two-parent rule Supports for workers in the care economy in Canada Establishment of a guaranteed livable basic income Artificial intelligence, including legal and policy responses and a range of legal and non-legal survivor-centred tools to intervene and remedy AI harms Bill C-225 (An Act to Amend the Criminal Code), regarding criminalization of acts related to gender-based violence Provision of operational funding of $50 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, to support national gender equality organizations advancing systemic change for women, girls, trans and non-binary people in Canada Bill C-223 (Keeping Children Safe Act), with respect to precluding reliance on myths and stereotypes, replacing the maximum contact assumption, modifying the best interests of the child test, and the need for judicial education Bill C-16 (Protecting Victims Act), with respect to access to testimonial aids, restorative justice, deepfakes, coercive control, femicide, mandatory minimum penalties, procedural rules in sexual assault trials, criminal harassment, and delays in the criminal justice system Bill C-14 (Bail and Sentencing Reform Act), including effects on women, trans, and non-binary people Bill C-12 (Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act), including proposed section 101(1)(b.1) and explicit exemptions for survivors of gender-based violence and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals facing persecution Restorative and transformative justice for sexual violence - increasing access and support for initiatives Creation of a federal Gender-Based Violence Commissioner Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), including the creation of an independent regulator and the enactment of obligations for technology companies in addressing TFGBV Addressing gender-based discrimination in the Employment Insurance Act