Buried within an 89-page omnibus budget bill presented before the legislature Monday, May 6 – Manitoba’s NDP government has introduced labour friendly legislation that would ban the use of replacement workers during labour disputes and eliminate the use of a secret-ballot during workplace unionization campaigns that secure over 50% support. While RCC and other business groups have for many years and with all political parties argued against the disruption of a balanced approach to labour regulations that favours neither the employer nor workers, with the election of the new NDP government labo ..read more

Attention retailers in New Brunswick who manage extended producer responsibility programs:  Following almost eighteen months of consultation, the New Brunswick government has outlined the changes it wishes to make to its Designated Materials Regulation – Clean Environment Act (N.B. Regulation 2008-54). These draft regulations cover all extended producer responsibility (EPR), waste diversion programs in the province (e.g. paint, used oil and glycol, packaging and paper products, electronics, beverage containers, pharmaceutical products / medical sharps) . The proposal is to create a common ..read more

Attention Manitoba employers: The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Manitoba has announced it will be issuing credits back to employees whose premiums fund the system. This month, eligible employers will receive a credit equivalent to 50 per cent of their 2023 premium. It is the fifth time in the past six years surplus funds have been distributed to employers. The post Manitoba Workers Compensation Board Rolls Out Surplus Credits appeared first on Retail Council of Canada ..read more

Attention retail loss prevention teams: RCC and members of the Manitoba RCC Retail Crime Working group recently participated in a Safety Summit hosted by Premier Wab Kinew and members of his Cabinet, that brought together a variety of stakeholders representing business, law enforcement, restorative justice, indigenous leadership, municipalities and others, to discuss shared priorities, retail crime, and how to address the root causes of crime. Feedback from the public safety summit will be incorporated into a provincewide strategy to reduce crime and make communities safer, which will be relea ..read more

Attention all employers in Saskatchewan: On May 17, 2024, amendments to the occupational health and safety provisions of The Saskatchewan Employment Act will come into force requiring all provincially regulated workplaces, including retail and restaurants, to have a violence policy and prevention plan in place. The amendment also ensures that students and post-secondary students, volunteers and contract workers are covered under the provisions regarding violence. The policy statement and violence prevention plan must include a number of elements that have been outlined in a ..read more

Attention retailer legal, privacy, and marketing teams: A standing committee of the Alberta government has launched a review of the Personal Information Protection Act, the data privacy law that is designed to keep Albertans safe from the misuse of their identities and other personal data by providing private sector organizations with a framework for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. RCC’s Kate Skipton, Senior Policy Analyst, will be preparing an RCC submission in advance of the May 31, 2024 deadline. The post Personal Information Protection Act Consultation Begi ..read more

Attention retail merchandising and legal teams: The City of Vancouver will consider a bylaw on May 8, 2024, to ban continuous-flame butane lighters. Items which require holding a finger or thumb on the switch are not impacted. The ban only impacts those where there is a lock to ensure a continuous flame such as:  Micro torch lighter: handheld torch lighters are predominantly used for smoking.  Butane table-top torch: butane torch for personal use, primarily smoking, handiwork or small culinary.  Industrial culinary torch: two-part handheld device is a standardised but ..read more

Attention RCC members’ legal and sustainability teams: The B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy released updated policy documents on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on May 2, 2024. These revisions reflect RCC’s input from March 2023, particularly on financial reporting where RCC advocated for more detailed reporting by PROs. RCC successfully influenced the language to ensure increased transparency and accountability by PROs. However, challenges remain regarding consultation with specific PROs. Despite this, the updated documents mark significant progress towards achi ..read more

Attention retailers managing supply chain logistics: RCC is closely monitoring looming labour disruptions across Canadian ports, rail networks, and the specter of a strike from 9,000 Canadian Border Services Agency workers. Any one strike is debilitating to retail supply chains, let alone multiple strikes, all at once. RCC is urging government action, coordinating with partners, and rallying industry voices. Stay tuned for exclusive briefings through RCC’s meetings with senior officials who will share vital intelligence to help retailers prepare.   The post Labour Disruptions Th ..read more

Member only content This content is locked. Please sign in to access this content. LOGIN Find out more about RCC Membership The post RCC Provides Analysis on B.C. Government Update to Extended Producer Responsibility Policies appeared first on Retail Council of Canada ..read more