Reports and stances of the Quebec Retail Council

On February 3, 2023, the Quebec Retail Council submitted a brief to the Quebec government on a number of issues affecting the retail sector as part of the government’s 2023-2024 pre-budget consultations. There are two parts to this brief. First, it was necessary to update certain essential elements of the economic context of Quebec’s retail sector in light of the upheavals experienced during the pandemic. Second, the Council wishes to share its vision on three main issues: labor shortages, credit card transaction fees and support for local purchasing, the proximity economy and the circular economy.

As part of the Government of Quebec’s 2022-2023 pre-budget consultations, the Quebec Retail Council (CQCD) submitted a brief on February 17, 2022 to make several recommendations to the government on several issues affecting the retail sector. This document contains 10 concrete proposals relating to measures to promote the resumption of activities, tackle head-on the challenges of the workforce in the retail industry and continue supporting the digital shift of retailers.

This report presents the Quebec Retail Council and its implication in francization, as well as some data related to our sector. More general comments related to the bill are then set out. Finally, specific comments are made with respect to some of the provisions of the bill for which modifications or clarifications should be made.

This report, presented on September 10, 2021, offers the Quebec Retail Council’s recommendations on the subject. The CQCD’s position on credit card transaction fees has been clear for several years. These are too high in Canada and unfairly penalize retailers and their customers. We want these to be capped at 0.5% on average for all card types. As part of this report, you will discover the arguments and justifications that support this position.

As part of the 2021-2022 pre-budget consultations of the Quebec Ministry of Finance, this document presented on January 29, 2021, presents the Council’s recommendations regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on retail sector and it’s recovery. (sustainable development and circular economy, digital shift and eCommerce).

The Quebec Retail Council (CQCD) has carefully taken note of the bill mentioned in the title and worked closely with Éco Entreprises Québec (EEQ) to analyze it. The CQCD welcomes the tabling of this bill, fully subscribes to EEQ’s conclusions and unreservedly supports its report, which you can consult below.

As part of the federal government’s pre-budget consultations, the CQCD submitted a brief to make several recommendations to the government regarding the interchange fees and the high credit card transaction fees imposed by card issuers on merchants.

As part of the 2020-2021 pre-budget consultations of the Quebec Ministry of Finance, this document presented on January 14, 2019, presents 6 recommendations from the Quebec Retail Council (CQCD) pertaining to various challenges of the sector: tax fairness for Quebec retailers, the gradual increase of the minimum wage, improve the workforce training, lowering the tax burden by abolishing the payroll tax as well as improving innovation and expertise sharing in the retail sector.

Report presented on May 25, 2018 to the Committee on Economy and Labor and tabled as part of the consultation on Bill 176, tabled in the National Assembly by the Minister responsible for Labor, Mrs. Dominique Vien, March 20, 2018.

Report submitted on February 11, 2013 to the Committee on Culture and Education, as part of the consultations on Bill 14.