Sonia Johnson

Working with The Ministry of Health, The Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of the Environment on Legislative and Regulation proposals relating to vaping products and devices.

Discussion concerning federal vaping product excise tax in annual budget implementation acts as it relates to enforcement, rate, and impact on stakeholders. Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 155, Number 25: Order Amending Schedules 2 and 3 to the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (Flavours) Lobby efforts focus on flavour ban impact to small business, illicit market, and consumer behavior post ban based on lived experience.

Lobbying to build upon the federal Finance Committee's (FINA) recommendation to reform the Excise Act, 2001 by transitioning from a weight-based excise duty model to a value-based framework for cannabis products. This reform aims to align taxation with the market value of products, promoting fairness and sustainability within the industry. Lobbying for the introduction of a tax credit for outdoor cannabis cultivators under the Excise Duties on Cannabis Regulations (SOR/2019-78). Recognizing the environmental benefits of outdoor cultivation, such as reduced energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint. HRC is proposing a tax incentive to encourage sustainable farming practices and combat illicit sales. This initiative aims to foster an eco-friendly cannabis industry while providing financial relief to producers committed to environmentally responsible cultivation methods. Excise Act, 2001 and related federal–provincial coordination agreements. The objective is to advocate for a reduction in the current excise duty rates for nicotine vaping.

ADVOCATE FOR IMPROVED AWARENESS, PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF WOMEN'S HEART AND BRAIN HEALTH RISK FACTORS THROUGH BILL S-243, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH IN CANADA ADVOCATE FOR A MODERNIZED CHARITABLE TAXATION FRAMEWORK THAT STRENGTHENS CHARITIES AND THEIR ABILITY TO MOBILIZE RESOURCES FOR THE BENEFIT OF CANADIANS. FINALIZE REGULATIONS TO RESTRICT VAPE FLAVOURS (INCLUDING MINT/MENTHOL); INTRODUCE PLAIN AND STANDARDIZED PACKAGING FOR VAPING PRODUCTS; INCREASE TOBACCO AND VAPE TAXES; IMPLEMENT A TOBACCO COST RECOVERY FEE; PROTECT EXISTING NICOTINE POUCH REGULATIONS; BAN INTERNET/ONLINE SALES FOR TOBACCO AND E-CIGARETTES; PROHIBIT THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AMONGST INDIVIDUALS BORN BEFORE A DETERMINED YEAR; INCREASE THE MINIMUM LEGAL AGE OF SALE FOR TOBACCO AND VAPING PRODUCTS TO 21 YEARS OF AGE. SUPPORT POLICIES THAT ELIMINATE FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO SPORT PARTICIPATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, WHILE ENSURING SPORT PARTICIPATION FUNDING IS ROLLED OUT IN AN ACCESSIBLE, EQUITABLE, AND INCLUSIVE MANNER. ADVOCATE FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION TO REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF, AND HARMS ASSOCIATED WITH, ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS. ADVOCATE FOR AND FUND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAMS FOR CANADIANS, INCLUDING EQUITY-SEEKING GROUPS. INTRODUCTION OF A NATIONAL PHARMACARE PROGRAM IMPLEMENT REGULATIONS TO RESTRICT COMMERCIAL MARKETING OF UNHEALTHY FOODS AND BEVERAGES TO CHILDREN IMPLEMENT A TAX ON SUGARY DRINKS. REVENUES FROM SUCH A TAXATION STREAM SHOULD BE USED TO SUBSIDIZE HEALTHY EATING INITIATIVES FUND PUBLIC AWARENESS FOR IMPROVED USE OF DEFIBRILLATORS AND CPR. ADVOCATE FOR A TAX-EXEMPTION ON THE SALE OF DEFIBRILLATORS. ENSURE THAT THE DEDICATED FEDERAL ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FUND BECOMES A PERMANENT ENVELOPE IN CANADA'S INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.

Regulations and/or amendments under the Food and Drug Act (Natural Health Products), as it relates to monitoring of nicotine products such as nicotine pouches. Tuberculosis prevention and control in respect of enhanced programs for First Nations peoples and New Canadians. The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan in respect of the vaccination of Canadians and awareness for COPD and asthma patients. Regulations and/or amendments under the Tobacco Act, extend enhanced warning labels to all tobacco products, and control new forms of smoking and nicotine consumption, including water-pipes and e-cigarettes. All Aspects of tobacco control. Regulation of Cannabis with respect to protecting the lung health of Canadians, including second hand cannabis smoke and research on cannabis. Obtain increased funding for research into lung disease from the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health under the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, with a special focus on funding for clinical and translational research. Indoor air quality with respect to the development and implementation of programs to ensure improved indoor air quality in First Nations communities. Indoor air quality with respect to Income Tax Act for a radon mitigation rebate Health Canada's tobacco control program, including sustaining government funding levels, and implementation of effective programs and policies Hazardous Products Act, as it relates to the domestic use of asbestos Grants or contributions for the provision of technical assistance in the design and deployment of new respiratory health safety training programs. Drug cost relief for Canadians with respect to a new national program for catastrophic drug cost coverage. Chemicals Management Plan with respect to ensuring ongoing, adequate funding for the program to achieve reductions in outdoor and indoor toxic air pollutants. Canadian Tuberculosis Committee for Canadian strategies and priorities with respect to tuberculosis prevention and control. Amendments to the Tobacco Act with respect to increasing tobacco taxation and penalties for contraband cigarettes (formerly known as Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts). Amendments to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) with regards to air pollutants. Amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act with respect to increasing federal environmental enforcement powers to ensure better air quality. Amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act in respect of developing a nation-wide Air Quality Management System for Canada to improve air quality. Amendments to the Canada Wide Standard (CWS) for particulate matter and ozone pertaining to wood-burning stoves. Amendments to the Canada Transportation Act with respect to controlling the carriage of pets in airplane passenger cabins to protect the health and safety of individuals with chronic lung disease. Air Quality Management System (AQMS) in respect of approval for the final development and implementation of the proposed system with full involvement of stakeholders. Air Quality Health Index with respect to ensuring the Index is active in every province and major community across Canada.

Excise Tax Act - Increased inspection and enforcement of excise act at vaping products retail level to support compliant businesses that are competing at disadvantage with non-compliant businesses. Nicotine Concentration in Vaping Products Regulations - Increased inspection and enforcement of regulations at retail level to support compliant businesses that are competing at disadvantage with non-compliant businesses. Vaping Products Promotion Regulations - Increased inspection and enforcement of regulation at retail level to support compliant businesses that are competing at disadvantage with non-compliant businesses. Vaping Products Labelling and Packaging Regulations - Increased inspection and enforcement of regulation at retail level to support compliant businesses that are competing at disadvantage with non-compliant businesses. Tobacco and Vaping Products Act - Increased inspection and enforcement of TVPA at retail level to support compliant businesses that are competing at disadvantage with non-compliant businesses. Monitor act for amendments.