Cannabis industry organizations say they are cautiously looking forward to engaging with the newly elected Liberal government following the April 28 election.

A new Prime Minister and a new cabinet provide an opportunity for a beleaguered industry to renew engagement efforts to highlight issues such as excise tax reform, annual regulatory fees, and market and promotional restrictions, among many others. 

While Health Canada recently released a large package of regulatory changes addressing some long-standing industry issues, many of the larger issues remain long-term goals of the industry, especially the federally licensed cannabis producers. 

Paul McCarthy, President of the Cannabis Council of Canada, highlighted these concerns in a public statement on the election results and the general anxiety within the industry.

“Canada likes to position itself as a global leader in legal cannabis—but since legalization in 2018, the federal government has failed this industry and the tens of thousands of hardworking Canadians it supports,” said McCarthy. “With a new government in office, it’s time for action. The cannabis industry deserves the same attention and support as any sector of our economy.”  

Canada’s cannabis industry is a major driver of economic growth, notes McCarthy, contributing more than $43 billion to the national GDP since the beginning of legalization in 2018, with approximately $7.4 billion contributed in 2024 alone. 

The Council is calling for a change from an excise tax rate of $1 a gram to 10%, moving to a single harmonized excise stamp, and a more concerted effort to take on the still-present illicit cannabis market.

The CEO of New Brunswick’s Organigram Global Inc. also congratulated Carney on the results of the 2025 federal election while urging policymakers to better support Canada’s cannabis industry.

“Congratulations to Prime Minister Carney on his party’s victory and to Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre for his party’s strong showing, as well as all who put themselves forward as candidates,” said Beena Goldenberg, CEO of Organigram.

“In this election, Canadians were asked to embrace a plan to build economic resilience against an increasingly unpredictable United States. Now it’s time for policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to unite behind a shared goal: unlocking the full potential of Canada’s cannabis sector as a driver of innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.”

Like C3, of which Organigram is a member, the company also lists moving from a $1 per gram excise rate to a 10% ad valorem rate, as well as encouraging more opportunities for inter-provincial and international trade. 

At the provincial level, Walker Patton, on behalf of the BC Cannabis Alliance, says the organization is excited to begin connecting with the new government to discuss options for moving the industry forward. Patton is the CcO at Woody Nelson, a cannabis producer based in eastern BC.

“We’re eager to see what an economy-focused leader will bring to the table, but the Liberals have a history of ignoring the challenges their policies have created for our industry, so we have mixed feelings,” Patton tells StratCann. “Regardless, we look forward to engaging with the country’s leadership on these issues in the pursuit of a stronger economy and bringing high-quality jobs back to small rural communities across the country.”

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