Pre-Budget Consultations: RCC Calls for Measures to Strengthen the Domestic Market in the Face of the U.S. Crisis
February 19, 2025Montreal, February 19, 2025 – Quebec’s retail industry is facing an unprecedented threat. The U.S. president’s desire to impose exorbitant tariffs on all Canadian products imported into the United States is shaking up our business environment. It makes it imperative to strengthen our internal market, but also to act on several fronts now to better protect our retailers, guarantee our economic autonomy and preserve Quebecers’ access to essential goods.
The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has called on the Government of Quebec to adopt concrete measures as part of the 2025-2026 pre-budget consultations to ensure the resilience of our economy.
“The looming crisis is weakening our access to essential everyday goods. To help us clothe ourselves, feed ourselves, house us, and make our daily lives easier, we must be able to count on merchants who have all the tools in hand to be solid and resilient. This requires rules that are better aligned, more consistent and easier to apply in order to strengthen the competitiveness of our domestic market without unnecessarily burdening businesses,” said Michel Rochette, President of CCCD – Quebec.
RCC’s four priorities are:
Regulatory harmonization and strengthening of the internal market
Ensure greater consistency between municipal, provincial and federal regulations to avoid contradictions that complicate procurement and increase costs.
Reducing costs related to new environmental regulations
Implement support mechanisms to help retailers adapt to the requirements, without creating undue pressure on their operations and consumers.
Fight against theft, fraud and cybersecurity issues
Increase police resources and improve coordination between law enforcement and merchants to reduce theft and ensure a safe environment for employees and customers.
Support for the sector’s workforce and skills
Promote the hiring of workers and training in collaboration with institutions and companies to better meet the needs of the retail sector and guarantee quality service to consumers.
In its next budget, the government has the opportunity to take concrete action to ensure that Quebec’s retail sector remains strong and accessible to all, in the face of an economic crisis that is forcing us to act.
To view our full recommendations, click here (in French).
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About the Retail Council of Canada
Recognized as the Voice of Retailers™ in Quebec and Canada since 1963, the Retail Council of Canada is an industry-funded, not-for-profit association that represents small, medium and large retail businesses that are embedded in people’s daily lives. The organization has more than 17,000 businesses and establishments, including the largest banners in Quebec – and nearly 60,000 in Canada –; from department stores to food distribution, specialty stores, pharmacies, independent retail and online stores. RCC is a hub where unique expertise converges, developing guides, tools and certified training, in addition to being a true source of data and analysis. The retail sector employs more than half a million Quebecers and generates sales of nearly $110 billion (2022).
For more information, please contact:
Elysa Adornato
Executive Assistant & Member Services
Retail Council of Canada
EAdornato@cccd-rcc.org
514 816-1876
