Committees and Advisory Councils

RCC’s member-only committees meet on specific retail issues. These groups offer the opportunity for unique collaboration with industry peers to help shape policies that affect retail. Network, share ideas, establish best practices and grow your career.

Interested in participating in one of RCC committees? Click the button below.

National

Animal Health and Welfare Committee

The Animal Health and Welfare Committee is a member working group comprised of retail members working within roles that include government relations, public affairs, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, ethical sourcing and public relations. The committee’s aim is to help retail members grow and develop their respective animal health and welfare programs; to facilitate the sharing of pre-competitive best-practices between members; and to learn about animal-care programs within the protein-commodity industries that members sell within their businesses. Join this committee

ESG and Climate Action Committee

Governments around the world, including Canada’s federal government, are participating in global efforts to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5C. Moreover, ESG reporting frameworks and rating agencies have emerged as an important area for corporates to both monitor and inform. This committee is looking to help facilitate best practice sharing, monitor policies/trends, explore collaborative opportunities and develop related resources.. Join this committee

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) / Stewardship Committee

The EPR/Stewardship Committee is actively engaged in advocacy efforts around extended producer responsibility and supports members with program compliance for the various recycling and stewardship programs across Canada. The committee reviews proposed regulatory changes to ensure industry’s need and concerns are front-and-center while supporting RCC volunteers and staff who sit on stakeholder and advisory/consultative bodies. Beyond this, the committee guides RCC staff in the development and presentation of RCC positions to provincial and federal governments. Join this committee

Food Safety and Nutrition Committee

The Food Safety and Nutrition Committee is comprised of RCC members that sell food as part of their business. The committee helps members to stay ahead of issues related to food safety, recalls, nutrition labelling and consumer education, liaising between industry, NGOs and government to help shape government policy and regulation in a way that makes sense from a business and consumer perspective. The committee also assists with real-time ongoing issues management and helps set the direction, policy and overall framework and approach to food safety and nutrition labelling, helping members navigate and manage related issues. Join this committee

Human Resources Advisory Council

The Human Resources Advisory Council is comprised of retail HR leaders and helps to identify federal and provincial policy, regulatory, and administrative issues of interest to the retail sector. The council assesses the significance of these issues for retailers; provides executive-level perspective and advice to RCC staff in the development, presentation and advancement of RCC positions on HR and employment issues to governments and other interested parties. Join this committee

Human Resources Networking Committee

The Human Resources Networking Committee includes all levels retail HR professionals and meets on a regular basis to exchange perspectives on various HR topics, network and share best practices in the industry and discuss HR and employment issues of interest to the retail sector. Join this committee

Legal Committee

The Legal Committee brings senior retail in-house lawyers together to discuss current and emerging legal issues affecting the trade. Legal resources in retail businesses — small and large — are often stretched to the limit as the issues they deal with become more complex when new legislation, regulations and by-laws come into effect. This committee provides a forum for retail counsels to network and share concerns and best practices on retail-specific legal issues ranging from international trade to copyright to human resources. The Roundtable also provides RCC with guidance and insights relating to legal issues affecting the industry. Join this committee

Loss Prevention Advisory Council

The Loss Prevention Advisory Council is comprised of retail loss prevention leaders who discuss loss prevention practices and procedures that are relevant to retail. The council shares best practices, working together to better understand issues around shrink, theft, organized crime, gift card fraud and more, collaborating to shape loss prevention policies and procedures in retail. It also works closely with law enforcement across the country, sharing with members information around trends that include cyber security, data breach, active shooter situations and more. Join this committee

Plastics Committee

The Plastics Committee is actively engaged in monitoring single-use plastics bans across the country to support member compliance while exploring packaging and material alternatives (e.g., reusable options, compostables, etc.). The committee also focuses on best practice sharing for a range of topics, including eco-design, recycled content, and improved vendor/customer communications. Committee members help advise RCC volunteers and staff who sit on stakeholder and advisory/consultative bodies and guide RCC staff in the development and presentation of RCC positions on plastics issues to all levels of government. Join this committee

Privacy Committee

The Privacy Committee is comprised of retail professionals interested in and responsible for the areas of data governance and privacy. The purpose of the committee is to share best practices and information related to data governance and privacy and to help members stay ahead of the curve on issues that impact the industry, including Canadian privacy and data governance regulatory changes. Join this committee

Product Safety and Recall Committee

The Product Safety and Recall Committee is comprised of senior retail professionals with an objective to stay ahead of the curve on key issues and to help shape industry standards. The committee also develops and shares best practices through working groups and gives members the opportunity to be heard by Health Canada officials concerning the issues impacting their businesses most. Join this committee

Responsible Sourcing Committee

The Responsible Sourcing Committee is a member working group comprised of retail members with roles that include government relations, public affairs, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, ethical/responsible sourcing, public relations, etc. The purpose of the committee is to help retail members grow and develop their respective responsible sourcing programs; and to facilitate the sharing of pre-competitive best-practices between members concerning issues including human rights, child labour, working conditions in factories, human trafficking, modern-day slavery, fair/living wages, worker safety, factory structural issues, living conditions and more. The Committee also works to communicate the commitment of Canadian retailers to responsible trade and consults and builds alliances with consumers, NGOs, academics and other industry partners. Join this committee


Regional

Atlantic Member Council

The Atlantic Member Council is comprised of retail leaders operating in the Atlantic provinces, providing an opportunity for them to network and share ideas and best practices. The group also provides members with information concerning trends and issues impacting retailers in Atlantic provinces, keeping them up to date with guidance and direction concerning government regulations and legislation impacting their businesses. Join this committee

Ontario: Health & Safety Excellence Program

The Health & Safety Excellence Program provides retailers with a network of resources and consultations to reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Together, members pool resources, share best practices and help each other develop and manage effective health and safety programs. Along with improving workplace safety, they can reduce their WSIB premiums and earn financial rebates. Join this committee

Quebec: Food Caucus – Grocery

The Quebec Food Caucus – Grocery is the voice of the Quebec food industry and is comprised of retail members in Quebec that sell food as part of their business. It is the first drop point for all files relating to the food industry in Quebec. The Caucus works to establish global strategies (e.g. industry guidelines, public intervention strategies), developing lines of communication when necessary, prioritizing issues related to the food industry within the province. Join this committee

Quebec: Food Waste Committee

The Quebec Food Waste Committee is comprised of retail members in Quebec that sell food as part of their business. The committee defines industry guidelines on the issue of food waste, shares best practices and aims to achieve better synergies regarding initiatives. The Committee also helps establish industry messages and facilitates the creation of common tools related to inventory management, food donation and organic matter management. Join this committee

Quebec: Food Safety Committee

The Quebec Food Safety Committee is comprised of retail members in Quebec that sell food as part of their business. The committee helps members to stay ahead of the food safety curve, liaising between industry and government to shape government policy and regulation in a way that’s retail friendly and ensures food safety. The committee also assists with real-time ongoing issues management, helps set up the direction, policy and overall framework and approach to food safety, helping members navigate and manage related issues specific to the province. Join this committee

Quebec: Human Resources Networking Committee

The Human Resources Networking Committee includes all levels retail HR professionals and meets on a regular basis to exchange perspectives on various HR topics, network and share best practices in the industry and discuss HR and employment issues of interest to the retail sector. Join this committee

Quebec: Public Affairs Committee

The Quebec Public Affairs Committee provides a unified voice on issues affecting the image, reputation and business practices of the retail industry within the province of Quebec. The Committee provides advice on various communication strategies affecting the retail trade, and creates a forum for RCC members in Quebec to network and discuss common public relations issues specific to the province. Join this committee