Lobbying registration dated 2026-02-16
Registrant: Paul McCarthy
Client: Cannabis Council of Canada
Targeted institutions:
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat (IGA)
Justice Canada (JC)
Finance Canada (FIN)
Export Development Canada (EDC)
House of Commons
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
Rural Economic Development (Minister’s Office)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Senate of Canada
Health Canada (HC)
Public Safety Canada (PS)
Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Acts: Cannabis Act
Excise Tax Act
Excise Act
Government funding received:
Lobbying activity details:
Calling for enhanced inclusion in Government Agency Programs at Business Development Bank (BDC) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) as well as Export Development Canada (EDC) for the Cannabis Sector.
Calling on the Government to develop a comprehensive strategy to eradicate the illicit market. This involves coordination with the PTs to tackle illegal production, illegal sale (both bricks and mortar and online), interdict the shipment of illegal product through legal means and to launch a public awareness and education campaign on the dangers of buying illegal product.
CRA Excise stamp logistics and placement on adult consumer use cannabis products and co packing supply chain realities that run up against the Excise Tax Act.
The Cannabis Council of Canada seeks to assist its members with International Trade issues, specifically, to help navigate unclear issues around exporting cannabis to various locations around the world.

Israel recently issued a determination in an anti dumping case which lacked transparency, fairness and due process among other concerns. The Cannabis Council will work with government partners to defend the cannabis industry and it's world class reputation - as well as pursue all possible avenues to remedy the situation.
Seeking to eliminate the 2.3% regulatory fees charged by Health Canada.  Working to improve the service standards for license changes, security clearance, export permits.
Cannabis Economic Development. The cannabis industry is engaging with ISED which has a new mandate to promote economic development activity stemming from the legalization of cannabis and the emergence of a robust eco system across the country.
Excise Tax Framework on Cannabis products was fashioned on a premise of $ 1 in $ 10 as tax whereas in practical reality the tax is far more aggressive than planned, often coming in at or nearly 3 times higher at 30 %. This is severely compressing the financial viability of many licensed producers and processors, while keeping product prices high in comparison to competition in the legacy, illicit marketplace.
Cannabis Amnesty. The Council is actively engaged in encouraging government officials to take a proactive stance in the elimination/  expungement of Canadians with Criminal records for the posession of Cannabis for personal consumption.
The Cannabis Act: Working to develop an appropriate marketing and branding regime that allows for producers to Differentiate their products through communication with consumers about product attributes.
Helping to highlight the need for Diversity, Inclusion and Gender strategies within the cannabis sector. We are seeking to gain encouragement from the Government for progress in these areas.
Regional Economic Development. Seeking to build awareness about the sector and to encourage support from government regional and rural economic development programs.
The Cannabis Council is looking to actively engage the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and to gain support for efforts to improve consistency and quality of the value - added agricultural crop cannabis.
The Cannabis Act and Excise Act: Revising the application of excise tax on medical cannabis.