The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) engages with federal and provincial governments across Canada to advance public policy that supports franchise businesses and the broader small business economy. Through formal policy submissions, the CFA provides evidence-based recommendations on key issues including taxation, labour policy, environmental regulation, trade, and franchise legislation.
Proposed targeted tax and labour measures, including increasing the small business deduction threshold and enabling tax-free capital access for business investment. Positioned franchising as a key driver of SME growth and national employment.
Focused on productivity, workforce development, and regulatory parity to support the growth and sustainability of franchised SMEs. Reinforced the need for targeted tax tools and streamlined compliance frameworks.
The CFA provided comprehensive recommendations to modernize Ontario’s franchise legislation, aiming to improve clarity, consistency, and fairness for both franchisors and franchisees. The submission addressed key issues, including disclosure requirements, liability exposure, and regulatory alignment to support investment and reduce unnecessary legal risk.
The CFA provided foundational input during the development of Saskatchewan’s Franchise Disclosure Act, advocating for a balanced legislative framework that protects prospective franchisees while maintaining a viable environment for franchisors. The submission focused on aligning Saskatchewan’s approach with other Canadian jurisdictions, ensuring consistency, clarity in disclosure obligations, and avoiding overly prescriptive requirements that could inhibit franchise growth.
The CFA recommended targeted amendments to improve clarity, consistency, and alignment with other provincial franchise frameworks. The submission focused on reducing regulatory burden while maintaining strong protections for prospective franchisees.
The CFA responded to proposed employment standards for app-based workers, emphasizing that franchisors and franchisees should not be classified as employers of platform workers. It recommended clear legal definitions and a four-factor test to prevent unintended liability and protect the integrity of the franchise model.
The CFA supported proposed amendments delaying compliance timelines while advocating for the removal of Section 12, which unfairly classifies franchisors and franchisees as a single entity under Extended Producer Responsibility rules. The submission emphasizes regulatory fairness, reduced compliance burden, and recognition of franchisee independence.
The CFA supported enhanced oversight and transparency in Ontario’s circular economy framework while cautioning against increased administrative burden on franchised small businesses. It also advocated for removing provisions that create legal risk and unfairly treat franchisors and franchisees as a single entity.
The CFA emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable and predictable North American trade environment to protect franchised small businesses. It also advocated for restoring the de minimis threshold and minimizing tariff-related disruptions to support competitiveness and supply chain stability.
The CFA recommended clarifying employer definitions to explicitly recognize franchisees as independent employers and introducing a four-factor test to prevent unintended joint employer liability. It also advocated for simplified compliance and a greater focus on education and guidance to support small business compliance with employment standards.
The CFA signed on to a policy paper spearheaded by the Federal Commissioner of Employers. This joint policy paper outlines a comprehensive proposal to modernize Canada’s immigration system by introducing a new Canadian International Workforce Program (CIWP) to address persistent labour shortages across all skill levels. It recommends creating dedicated pathways for both temporary and permanent low-skilled workers, while strengthening worker protections and improving system efficiency to support long-term economic growth.
Provided recommendations to improve access to financing, including clearer lending criteria and better recognition of intangible assets in franchise systems. Positioned franchising as a lower-risk lending category.