Legal updates, regulatory guidance and practical perspectives for businesses operating in complex industries.
Tips To Starting a Restaurant in the Greater Toronto Area Market Research and Concept Development Starting a restaurant in Toronto means you’re jumping into a busy food scene. Before you even think about menus or decor, you really need to get a feel for what’s already out there. This isn’t just about seeing what other…
Fortified and Supplemented Foods in Canada: Know the Difference Canada regulates two distinct ways that vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients get added to food: fortification and supplementation. Although both involve adding nutrients to a food product, Health Canada treats them as legally separate regimes with different rules, different permitted foods, and different label requirements. Getting…
The Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) represents a significant modernization of Canada’s food safety system, having largely come into force on January 15, 2019. This comprehensive legislation, along with the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), consolidates and modernizes food safety requirements previously found across several federal statutes—such as the Fish Inspection Act, the…
Ontario’s Laws for Establishments That Prepare Food The Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) as the Legal Foundation The Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) serves as the bedrock for public health legislation in Ontario. It outlines the authority and responsibilities of public health units, medical officers of health, and inspectors. A key function of…
For businesses in Ontario, particularly those operating as U-Brew or U-Vint facilities, that plan to offer customers the ability to manufacture their own beer, wine, or other fermented beverages on the premises, obtaining a Ferment on Premise Licence is a critical regulatory requirement. This licence is issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario…
Guide to Canada’s Federal Law Concerning All Food and Drug Products The Food and Drugs Act is one of Canada’s most important federal statutes governing public health and consumer protection. It establishes the legal framework regulating the manufacture, importation, exportation, packaging, labelling, advertising, distribution, and sale of foods, drugs, natural health products, cosmetics, medical devices,…
FAQ
Have questions about Substance Law? Here are some of the most common queries to help you get started.
Timelines depend on the licence type, how complete the application is and the regulator’s current processing times. We prepare the application and supporting documents so the review runs smoothly, and we give you a realistic timeline at the start.
It depends on the services you provide. Money services businesses register with FINTRAC, and payment service providers performing retail payment activities register with the Bank of Canada under the RPAA. Some businesses need both; we review your model and tell you which apply.
In many cases, yes. A transfer is approved by the provincial regulator and depends on the licence conditions, the premises and the buyer’s eligibility. We handle the filings and coordinate with the other side of the deal.
It depends on the product, its claims and how it is sold. Some products are regulated as drugs or natural health products by Health Canada. We review the product and the sales model and explain what is permitted.
Yes. We advise clients across Canada on federal and provincial regulatory matters, and we coordinate with local counsel where a provincial rule requires it.
We always strive to offer our clients transparent, flexible and reasonable pricing and payment options. Where the scope of the engagement permits, we try to offer our clients innovative, fixed-fee pricing options instead of traditional hourly rates, and payment through EFT, Wire, E-transfer, and Credit/Debit Card.
Service areas / Jurisdiction
We advise clients across Ontario and throughout Canada on regulatory, licensing and compliance matters in cannabis, psychedelics and other regulated industries.
Cannabis retail, consumption and related licensing
Zoning, land use and local approvals
Compliance and enforcement matters
Health Canada, Canada-wide regulatory matters
CRA, excise, FINTRAC and related requirements
Psychedelics, hemp, wellness and emerging sectors
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Canada's Law Firm For Regulated Substances
