First and foremost, on behalf of the hemp and cannabis industry that I represent, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to you and your team on your recent election victory. I would also like to commend all candidates, from every political party, for their dedication and active participation throughout the election campaign.
Canadians have entrusted you with leadership at a pivotal moment—one marked by uncertainty across North America and beyond, where the principles of free trade, the stability of our borders, and the strength of our economy face significant challenges.
On the economic front, the hemp and cannabis industry contributed an impressive $7.4 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2024 through direct economic contributions alone. It also supported over 80,000 direct jobs nationwide and positioned Canada as a global leader in cannabis regulation. This represents a remarkable public policy success—especially for a sector still in its infancy and navigating significant regulatory and market challenges.
It is important to recognize that the strength and long-term viability of hemp and cannabis businesses are critical to achieving the core public health and safety objectives of legalization: minimizing the harms associated with consumption by providing access to high-quality, rigorously regulated products, and steering consumers away from the illicit market. However, a range of regulatory, commercial, and fiscal barriers continues to undermine this progress—perpetuating stigma and allowing the illegal market to persist. These challenges include restrictions on product advertising, tax burdens that give illicit operators a price advantage, exclusion from government support programs, and difficulties accessing essential services such as banking and insurance.
Supporting our industry also means acknowledging the immense potential of medical cannabis and industrial hemp. Hemp, in particular, is an environmentally friendly, pollution-remediating, and highly versatile crop, with applications spanning construction, food, textiles, and bioplastics—sectors that are vital to building a circular and low-carbon economy.
We therefore call on your government to:
As President of the AQIC, I would like to express my full willingness to collaborate with your team and your ministers to ensure that our sector can reach its full potential—advancing public health and safety, protecting the environment, and contributing meaningfully to the strength and resilience of the Canadian economy.
Our citizens support us. A recent poll shows that a majority want concrete action from the federal government to support our industry.
Together, let us work toward the health and safety of Canadians, leveraging the full potential of the hemp and cannabis industries as powerful levers of prosperity, equity, and economic sovereignty for Canada.
Pierre Leclerc
President and CEO
Association québécoise de l’industrie du chanvre et du cannabis (AQIC)
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