Yesterday, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) proudly hosted its 5th Annual Franchise Awareness Day at Queen’s Park—an energizing day that brought together franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers from across the country to champion the value of franchising with Ontario’s political leaders.
Franchise Awareness Day is a cornerstone of the CFA’s advocacy efforts. It offers a unique opportunity for members of the franchise community to connect directly with Ministers, MPPs, and senior government staff to discuss issues that matter most to franchised small businesses—and to advocate for policy changes that will help our industry grow and thrive.
Breakfast Networking and Honorable Encounters:
The day began with the Franchise Awareness Breakfast Reception, generously sponsored once again by The UPS Store Canada. Now a fixture at Queen’s Park, the reception welcomed elected officials from across the political spectrum and offered a vibrant space to network and share insights on the economic and social contributions of franchising.
Among the notable guests was Hon. Nina Tangri, Ontario’s Associate Minister for Small Business, Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security, Hon. Todd McCarthy, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Impactful Meetings with MPPs:
Meaningful Engagements with Decision-Makers
Throughout the day, CFA members took part in a full schedule of 19 strategic meetings with MPPs, Cabinet Ministers, senior policy staff, and political advisors, including with the Premier and Minister of Finance. These conversations were purpose-driven, focusing on how franchising creates jobs, drives local investment, and provides aspiring entrepreneurs with pathways to business ownership.
Here are the Members we’ve met:
- Hon. Doug Ford – Premier of Ontario
- Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy – Minister of Finance
- Hon. Doug Downey – Attorney General of Ontario
- Hon. Andrea Khanjin – Minister of Red Tape Reduction
- Hon. Nolan Quinn – Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
- Hon. Nina Tangri – Associate Minister of Small Business
- Hon. Michael Tibollo – Associate Attorney General
- Stephane Sarrazin | MPP Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Brian Riddell | MPP for Cambridge, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Ernie Hardeman | MPP for Oxford, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Deepak Anand | MPP for Mississauga – Malton, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Natalie Pierre | MPP for Burlington, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Laurie Scott | MPP for Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Aislinn Clancy | MPP for Kitchener Centre, Green Party of Ontario
- Navreet Hundal, Director of Stakeholder Relations for the Minister of Finance
- Sydney Pothakos, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks
- Karam Sodhi, Senior Policy Advisor for the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
- Manish Sawhney, Director of Operations and Public Appointments for the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility
- Chris Esposto, Director of Stakeholder Relations for the Associate Minister of Women’s Social & Economic Activity
The Power of Collective Advocacy
Franchise Awareness Day reaffirmed the strength of a united franchise community. By speaking with one voice, CFA members helped shape policy conversations and raised awareness about the real-world challenges facing franchise businesses—from labour shortages to regulatory burdens.
And the momentum continues.
The meetings sparked new relationships, created opportunities for follow-up dialogue, and set the stage for ongoing engagement with decision-makers in the weeks and months ahead.
But advocacy doesn’t end when the meetings do. Every CFA member can contribute to this critical work—by sharing their stories, participating in future events, and supporting the CFA’s mission through donations that directly fund our government relations initiatives.
Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient franchising ecosystem in Canada.
Franchise Awareness Day: A Catalyst for Change
Franchise Awareness Day 2025 was a resounding success—reinforcing the CFA’s role as the national voice of franchising and highlighting the power of collaboration to drive positive change.
Whether you’re a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier, your involvement matters. This event was more than a day of meetings—it was a powerful reminder that when our community comes together, we can influence policy, strengthen our industry, and shape a brighter future.