Attention Alberta retailers, businesses and residents: Rural crime in Alberta is a pressing issue for businesses and residents in the province. In response, the Alberta Government has committed $4.3 million to bolster surveillance and crime reduction efforts. This significant investment has led to the creation of new plainclothes surveillance teams, led by the Alberta Sheriffs, in both northern and southern Alberta. These teams will provide crucial support to police, enhancing surveillance on criminal targets, and addressing the surge in property crime and organized crime activity in rura ..read more

Attention electronics retailers and manufacturers: Saskatchewan is reviewing changes to The Electronic Equipment Stewardship Regulations with the intent of including more types of electronics. They’re looking at nationwide programs, with a particular focus on end-of-life management for cell phones, small appliances, power tools, and more. RCC will draft a submission for member review before the September 13, 2024 deadline based on the Summary of Proposed Changes.  The post Province Eyes Expansion of Electronics Recycling Rules appeared first on Reta ..read more

Attention compliance and sustainability professionals: Today, RCC responded to the B.C. Government’s discussion paper on the management of non-residential packaging and paper product waste. RCC wants to protect members from a obligation to manage on-premise waste through a costly extended producer responsibility (EPR) program. In response to the government’s discussion paper, RCC advocates for: a material list of recyclable packaging and paper products, province-wide landfill bans for that listed waste, an obligation for businesses to recycle listed waste, and limited changes to the resid ..read more

Attention sustainability teams: Last week, country negotiators received their first formal correspondence for the UN Climate Summit, COP29, happening from November 11-22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The letter urges governments to submit revised climate plans to meet the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement by February. Additionally, setting a new annual climate finance goal for 2025, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), is a top priority. With the US election in early November, potential changes to US Paris Agreement commitments are anticipated. RCC will monitor interna ..read more

Attention retailers and manufacturers: On June 20, 2024, the Competition Act was updated with new provisions to combat greenwashing. Businesses must now have substantiated evidence to support their environmental claims. On July 22, 2024, the Competition Bureau began a public consultation to gather feedback on these new provisions. Given the importance of these changes to retailers, RCC will be preparing a submission that pushes for sensible rules that work for industry. The deadline for submissions is September 27, 2024 and RCC will be reaching out to members for their ..read more

Attention food supply chain stakeholders: RCC is pleased that after several years of working with various stakeholders in the food supply chain on the development of a Grocery Code of Conduct, our grocers are joining together to participate in this endeavour. We understand there is more work to be accomplished to bring the Code to life and our grocers are committed to be at the table to assist in the development of all necessary procedures and processes that are required to ensure the Code is implemented efficiently and effectively. We thank the FPT Ministers for their support and for bel ..read more

Attention business owners, financial analysts, and policy makers: Uncertainty and cost pressures remain top concerns for firms, driven by domestic factors such as economic growth, costs, interest rates, and tax policies. Businesses tied to discretionary spending reported particularly weak sales expectations, while those tied to essential spending see population growth continuing to benefit their sales. Notably, tax and regulation concerns have surged, with firms pointing to red tape and regulations as slowing their plans, and to taxes, predominantly the carbon tax, as incre ..read more

Attention retailers selling batteries, lighting, oil, glycol and electronics: After years of RCC advocacy, New Brunswick amends the Designated Materials Regulation, introducing extended producer responsibility (EPR programs) for batteries and lighting, and expanding existing ones for oil, glycol, and electronics. Government listened to RCC and included a producer hierarchy for all waste diversion programs that fall under the Regulation.  The new producer hierarchy takes effect January 2026, with program launches expected by summer 2025. All PROs must update and resubmi ..read more

Attention all Nova Scotia employers: As of July 15, 2024, employers that want to hire a worker under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program for a job in Nova Scotia, must include a copy of a valid provincial certificate of registration or proof of exemption along with their Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Please remember this is a federal under Service Canada. For more details, please see the following: Business legitimacy (TFW Program) Apply for a Certificate of Registration (Nova Scotia) For further details regarding the TFW Program, please visit C ..read more

Attention Ontario retailers and grocers: Over the past year, Ontario consulted on a Deposit Return System (DRS) to explore the feasibility of a take-back system for non-alcoholic beverage containers, possibly to retailer stores. Last week, the government decided to discontinue these consultations, opting instead to focus on the curbside Blue Box recycling program, which spares grocery retailers and consumers significant costs. Retail Council of Canada is very supportive of the government’s direction on this file; this move allows producers to focus on Blue Box and achieve the high be ..read more