The Blog of Substance Law, Canada's Law Firm for Regulated Substances
NHP vs Food – What Is My Product?
Understanding the Regulatory Landscape: Food Versus Natural Health Product Foods Under the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug...
Read The Rest...10 Clauses To Include In A Commercial Contract To Protect You
Know Just Some Of The Provisions To Put In Your Company's Agreements To Protect Its Interests 1. Payment Terms When...
Read The Rest...Report of the 3rd Legislative Review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act
Overview of the TVPA Third Review Report Mandate and Scope of the Review The third legislative review of the Tobacco...
Read The Rest...Zoning Bylaw Amendments Vs. Minor Variances in Ontario
The Two Main Ways To Change The Default Zoning Rules That Apply To Your Property Defining Zoning Bylaw Amendments A...
Read The Rest...Ontario Municipalities To Be Allowed To Impose Zoning Monetary Penalties
Introduction of administrative monetary penalties for Zoning Violations Legislative Shift Towards Enhanced Municipal Enforcement Ontario municipalities are on the cusp...
Read The Rest...How To Get Food Handler Certification in Ontario
Who Needs Food Handler Certification In Ontario, How To Get It, and What Does It Require? The Requirement For Certified...
Read The Rest...Canada Proposes Ban on Crypto ATMs
Proposed Prohibition of Crypto ATMs in Canada Recently Introduced Government Rationale for the Canada Crypto ATM Ban The Canadian government...
Read The Rest...How To Get NHP Natural Product Number (NPN)
Understanding the Natural Product Number (NPN) Framework Definition and Purpose of a Natural Product Number (NPN) A Natural Product Number,...
Read The Rest...Canada Reclassifying Sports Drinks as Food
Transitioning Sports Drinks Regulation in Canada Historical Classification of Health Products For a considerable time, the regulatory landscape in Canada...
Read The Rest...What Documents Should Be In a Corporate Minute Book?
Basics of the Corporate Minute Book Definition and Purpose of a Minute Book A corporate minute book is essentially the...
Read The Rest...2026 Alcohol Excise Duty Relief For Brewers, Distillers and Wineries
Canada Alcohol Excise Duty Relief Extension The federal government has announced an extension of alcohol excise duty relief measures for...
Read The Rest...FINTRAC Voluntary Self-Declaration of Non-Compliance
Voluntary Self-Declaration of Non-Compliance Framework for MSBs and Other FINTRAC Reporting Entities (VSDONC) Purpose and Rationale of VSDONC The Voluntary...
Read The Rest...Ontario Introduces Pill Presses and Precursors Act, 2026
On May 25, 2026, the Ontario government introduced the Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026, a broad omnibus public...
Read The Rest...How To Create a Nutrition Facts Table in Canada
Mandatory Nutrition Facts Table Requirements In Canada, the requirement to include a Nutrition Facts table on prepackaged foods is primarily...
Read The Rest...How To Promote Your Business for World Cup Without Getting In Trouble
Understanding FIFA's Intellectual Property Rights Defining Official Intellectual Property and Prohibited Uses When planning any promotional activities around the FIFA...
Read The Rest...Beneficial Ownership Requirements for FINTRAC Reporting Issuers
FINTRAC and Beneficial Ownership What is FINTRAC? The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC, is Canada's...
Read The Rest...MP Introduces Private Members' Bill That Could Enhance Psychedelic Medicine Access
Legislative Framework for Psychedelic Medicine Under the Special Access Program Understanding the Special Access Program's Role The Special Access Program...
Read The Rest...Payments Canada Registration Assistance
How To Register With Payments Canada, Who is Eligible, What Are the Benefits, And What Are the Costs? Defining Payments...
Read The Rest...How To Start a Peptides Company in Canada
Legal Risks and Regulatory Framework for Peptide Businesses in Canada Businesses considering entering the peptide industry in Canada should understand...
Read The Rest...Get DMT Legal Exemption For Daime Tea on Religious Grounds in Canada
Learn About DMT and its Legal Status in Canada In Canada, the substance N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, commonly known as DMT, is classified...
Read The Rest...Health Canada Signals Proposes Reforms to Industrial Hemp Regulations
On May 15, 2026, Health Canada published a Notice of Intent in the Canada Gazette, Part I, launching a public...
Read The Rest...How To Fix an Outdated and Deficient Corporate Minute Book
A corporate minute book is one of the most important legal records maintained by a corporation in Canada. Unfortunately, many...
Read The Rest...Cannabis Compliance Services Canada
Regulatory Compliance Services for Cannabis Businesses Across Canada Substance Law provides cannabis compliance services to licensed producers, processors, distributors, retailers,...
Read The Rest...How to File an ATIP Request with the Canadian Government
Get Information From the Federal Government of Canada Under the Access to Information Act If you are looking to obtain...
Read The Rest...Ontario Allows Cannabis Stores to Open at 7AM Instead of 9AM
The Shift in Cannabis Store Hours: What You Need to Know Why the Change? Understanding the AGCO's Decision The Alcohol...
Read The Rest...Rectifying Resolutions in Canadian Corporations: When and How To Use Them
How To Rectify Problems With a Company's Corporate Records Identifying Deficiencies in Corporate Records It's not uncommon for the internal...
Read The Rest...What To Do If Your Business Suffers a Data Breach in Canada
Your Obligations After A Data Breach in Canada - PIPEDA, RROSH, and Reporting What Constitutes a Data Breach? In Canada,...
Read The Rest...Ontario's Healthy Menu Choices Act
Find Out What Restaurants Need to Put Calories On Their Menus and Menuboard Signs The Healthy Menu Choices Act, 2015,...
Read The Rest...CRA Brewer's Licence
The Federal Licence Required For Canadian Beer Manufacturers What is the Excise Act 1985? The Excise Act, 1985 is the primary piece...
Read The Rest...LCBO Product Submission Process
Eligibility Requirements for LCBO Product Call Participation Before a product can be considered for inclusion in the LCBO's diverse portfolio,...
Read The Rest...FINTRAC Strengthens AML Oversight After Bill C-12 Passes
Bill C-12: What You Need to Know Key Amendments Introduced by Bill C-12 Bill C-12, also known as the Strengthening...
Read The Rest...LCBO Consignment Program
Understanding the LCBO Consignment Program Framework Program Overview and Objectives The LCBO Consignment Program is designed to give Ontarians access...
Read The Rest...Natural Health Products Regulations in Canada
What are Natural Health Products (NHPs) in Canada? In Canada, Natural Health Products, or NHPs, are a specific category of...
Read The Rest...How To Start a Cosmetics Brand in Canada
Guide To Branding, Marketing, Legal and Compliance for Aspiring Canadian Cosmetic Companies Starting a cosmetics brand in Canada means you'll...
Read The Rest...Cannabis Regulations under The Cannabis Act in Canada
The Canadian Federal Framework For Regulating Cannabis Production, Marketing Products and Sales The Cannabis Act is the main piece of...
Read The Rest...Food and Drug Regulations (Canada)
Understanding Food and Drug Regulations in Canada The regulatory framework governing food and drugs in Canada is designed to safeguard...
Read The Rest...Stablecoin Act (Canada)
The Canadian Federal Government Passed a Law Regulating Stablecoins In March 2026 The Stablecoin Act (Canada) is a piece of...
Read The Rest...Novel Foods Regulation in Canada
What are Novel Foods in Canada? Defining Novel Foods Under Canadian Regulations In Canada, the definition of a "novel food"...
Read The Rest...NHP Labelling Requirements Canada
The Importance of Accurate NHP Labelling Accurate labelling for Natural Health Products (NHPs) in Canada isn't just about following rules;...
Read The Rest...Cosmetic Regulations in Canada
Learn About The Canadian Regulations For Cosmetics under the Food and Drugs Act Canada has a structured approach to overseeing...
Read The Rest...Nutrition Facts Table Requirements in Canada
Learn About The Table of Nutritional Info Required on Most Canadian Pre-Packaged Food Products Overview of Applicable Food and Drug...
Read The Rest...FINTRAC MSB Registration Revoked? What To Do Now
Money Services Businesses in Canada And Why They Must Register In Canada, businesses involved in financial transactions, particularly money services...
Read The Rest...How to Prepare for a CFIA Audit or Inspection
Get To Know The Legal Framework for CFIA Audits of Food and Animal Establishments The Mandate of the Canadian Food...
Read The Rest...Accidental Sale of Liquor or Cannabis to Minors in Ontario
What To Do if AGCO Gives You a Notice of Violation for Underage Sale to Someone Under 19 Years of...
Read The Rest...How to Determine Serving Size for Your Food Product's Label
Why Accurate Serving Sizes Matter for Food Products Determining the correct serving size for your food product isn't just a...
Read The Rest...Start a Food Brand in Canada
Starting a Compliant Food Product in The Canadian Food Landscape Canada presents a dynamic and diverse market for food brands....
Read The Rest...Cosmetics Lawyer Canada | 175+ 5-Star Reviews
Regulatory compliance within the cosmetics industry is paramount, ensuring both product safety and market legality. In Canada, the regulatory landscape...
Read The Rest...Cosmetics Notifications Canada | 175+ 5-Star Reviews
The Health Canada Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) serves as an essential mechanism for regulatory compliance and the assurance of product...
Read The Rest...Steps To Launch a Beverage Brand in Canada
The Canadian Beverage Market Launching a beverage brand in Canada involves more than just a good idea and a tasty...
Read The Rest...What To Know When Launching a Functional Food Brand
The Functional Food Market in Canada The market for functional foods in Canada is experiencing significant growth, driven by a...
Read The Rest...PSP Annual Report Canada | 175+ 5-Star Reviews
The Bank of Canada's Annual Reporting Requirement for Payment Service Providers (PSPs) What is RPAA and Why is it Important?...
Read The Rest...What To Do If My Product Is Delisted From Amazon.ca?
Understanding Product De-listing From Amazon.ca Identifying the Cause of Product Delisting When a product is delisted from Amazon.ca, it means...
Read The Rest...Food Label and Packaging Requirements
Compliant Label and Package Regultions For Canadian Food Products In Canada, the labelling of food products is a matter governed...
Read The Rest...RPAA Safeguarding Funds Framework
Safeguarding of Funds Held At-Rest by Canadian PSPs Safeguarding funds held by PSPs is absolutely vital for maintaining trust and...
Read The Rest...Alcohol Packaging and Labelling Requirements
The Legal Framework for Alcohol Labelling in Canada In Canada, the labelling and packaging of alcoholic beverages are governed by...
Read The Rest...Nova Scotia to Ontario Direct to Consumer DTC Alcohol Sales
Direct to Consumer (DTC) Wine, Beer and Spirits Sales From Nova Scotia Manufacturers to Ontario Consumers Nova Scotia alcohol producers,...
Read The Rest...Ontario to Nova Scotia Alcohol Direct to Consumer DTC Sales
Direct to Consumer (DTC) Wine, Beer and Spirits Sales From Ontario Manufacturers to Nova Scotia Consumers Ontario alcohol producers, including...
Read The Rest...AGCO Notice of Violation | 175+ 5-Star Reviews
What To Do When You Get An AGCO Notice of Violation For Your Ontario Cannabis or Liquor Business What is...
Read The Rest...AGCO Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP): How To Deal with It
What is an AGCO Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP)? Why AGCO Issues Monetary Penalties The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of...
Read The Rest...AGCO Cannabis Licence Suspensions and Revocations
AGCO Cannabis Licence Suspensions and Revocations What's the Difference Between Suspension and Revocation? When the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of...
Read The Rest...AGCO Liquor Licence Suspensions and Revocations
AGCO Licence Suspensions and Revocations If you're running a bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment in Ontario, keeping your liquor...
Read The Rest...Pedal Pub Liquor Licence | 175+ 5-Star Reviews
What is a Pedal Pub (Large Quadricycle) and Why Does it Need a Licence? The AGCO's Role in Licensing Pedal...
Read The Rest...Controlled Substances Regulations in Canada
Canada's Consolidated Regulations For Mind-Altering Drugs under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Canada's new Controlled Substances Regulations (CSR) under...
Read The Rest...Is My Business A “Permitted Use” Under Zoning Bylaws?
Understanding Zoning Bylaws and Permitted Uses What is a Zoning Bylaw? A zoning bylaw is a local law that divides...
Read The Rest...Do I Need a Sign Permit For My Ontario Business?
Municipal Sign Permits For Businesses in Ontario Putting up a sign for your business in Ontario isn't as simple as...
Read The Rest...Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA)
Canada's Framework For Keeping Consumer Products Safe Purpose and Scope of the CCPSA The Canada consumer product safety Act, often...
Read The Rest...Import Alcohol Into Canada | 175+ 5-Star Reviews
Learn The Rules For Importing Liquor Products into Canada For Resale When foreign liquor manufacturers and their agents look to...
Read The Rest...Tobacco Reporting Regulations (TRR) Canada
Under the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA), the Tobacco Reporting Regulations (SOR/2000-273) create a rigorous transparency regime for...
Read The Rest...Do Cannabis Stores Need to Close on Holidays in Ontario?
Unless Exempted, Cannabis Stores Must Generally Close in Ontario On New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada...
Read The Rest...Supplemented Foods Label Requirements Canada
Supplemented Foods and Cautionary Labels Defining Supplemented Foods Supplemented foods are essentially prepackaged food items that have had supplemental ingredients...
Read The Rest...How To Open a Restaurant in Toronto
Tips To Starting a Restaurant in the Greater Toronto Area Market Research and Concept Development Starting a restaurant in Toronto...
Read The Rest...Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Canada?
Legal Status of Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybin) in Canada In Canada, the general legal standing of magic mushrooms, which contain the...
Read The Rest...AGCO Adds Monetary Penalty Infraction For Cannabis Retailers
On December 5, 2025, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) updated the Schedule of Monetary Penalties under the...
Read The Rest...Cannabis Act Canada: The Guide
Overview Of Canada's Federal Cannabis Act Core Objectives Of The Legislation The Cannabis Act, which came into effect in October...
Read The Rest...Remove AGCO Cannabis Licence Conditions
About AGCO Cannabis Store Conditions Why Conditions Are Placed on Licences The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) places...
Read The Rest...Remove AGCO Liquor Licence Conditions
Conditions On Your AGCO Liquor Sales Licence What are AGCO liquor licence Conditions? Liquor licence conditions are specific rules or...
Read The Rest...Nutrition Label Requirements Canada
Learn About How Canadian Food Products Need to Be Labelled Mandatory Nutrition Labelling in Canada Since 2007, all prepackaged foods...
Read The Rest...FINTRAC Ministerial Directives
Directives That Reporting Entities Must Follow In Respect of Iran, North Korea, and Other High Risk Countries Purpose and Scope...
Read The Rest...FINTRAC Requirements for Securities Dealers
Dealers of Securities Must Comply With Particular Anti-Money Laundering Requirements Securities dealers in Canada operate within a regulatory framework designed...
Read The Rest...Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Canada's Agency Regulating Plants, Food and Animals Core Mission: Safeguarding Food, Plants, and Animals The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)...
Read The Rest...The “Travel Rule” For MSBs and FINTRAC Regulated Entities
How The FATF Travel Rule Applies in Canada The Genesis Of The Crypto Travel Rule The FATF Travel Rule, often...
Read The Rest...Fortified Foods in Canada
Learn What Fortified Foods Are And How They're Regulated in Canada Defining Fortification Versus Supplementation In Canada, the intentional addition...
Read The Rest...Canada Introduces Stablecoin Act
Federal Government Proposes Law To Regulate Stablecoins and Their Issuers On November 17, 2025, the federal government tabled the Budget...
Read The Rest...Identity Verification for FINTRAC MSBs and Reporting Entities
FINTRAC Reporting Entities Must Verify IDs In a Particular Manner The Proceeds of Crime (money laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act...
Read The Rest...Can I Smoke or Grow Weed in My Apartment in Ontario?
Guide to Legally Smoking or Cultivating Cannabis in Your Apartment General Permissibility of Cannabis Consumption Whether you can smoke cannabis...
Read The Rest...Section 45 Trademark Proceedings Canada
Invalidating a Canadian Trademark For Non-Use Under the Trademarks Act The Purpose of Section 45 Proceedings Section 45 of the...
Read The Rest...Cannabis Marketing Restrictions in Canada
What Can and Can't Be Done To Legally Promote Cannabis Companies in Canada Navigating the marketing landscape for cannabis in...
Read The Rest...How to Dissolve a Corporation in Canada
Dissolution of a Company in Canada: The Guide Understanding The Dissolution Process Reasons For Corporate Closure Corporations cease to operate...
Read The Rest...How To Conduct a Trademark Search in Canada
The Importance of Trademark Searches Before Filing a TM Application Ensuring Legal Compliance And Avoiding Infringement Before you get too...
Read The Rest...AGCO Notice of Proposals: What To Do When You Get One
Challenging a Notice of Proposal From the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario What Constitutes a Notice of Proposal? A...
Read The Rest...Food Import Licence Canada
How To Import Food into Canada Legally Mandatory Licensing For Food Imports If you're bringing food into Canada for sale...
Read The Rest...Ontario Announces Expanding “Tailgate Event” SOPs to Non-Sports Cultural and Community Events
Ontario Announces Expanding “Tailgate Event” SOPs to Non-Sports Cultural and Community Events, Unlocking BYOB in Public Parks and Places The...
Read The Rest...EU-GMP Certification for Canadian Cannabis Producers
Obtaining European Good Manufacturing Practices Certification Enables Cannabis Export from Canada For Canadian cannabis producers looking to tap into the...
Read The Rest...GACP Certification for Canadian Cannabis Growers
Good Agricultural and Collection Certification for Export of Cannabis from Canada Defining Good Agricultural and Collection Practices Good Agricultural and...
Read The Rest...FINTRAC Obligations for Factoring Companies
Anti-Money Laundering Requirements for Canadian Factoring Companies Introduction to FINTRAC and Its Role The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre...
Read The Rest...How Much Can I Sell My Dispensary For?
Understanding Dispensary Valuation Key Factors Influencing Sale Price Thinking about selling your cannabis dispensary? The first thing you need to...
Read The Rest...What to Do If You Receive a Health Canada Notice
Immediate Actions When You Receive a Letter or Notice From Health Canada Getting a notice from Health Canada requires quick...
Read The Rest...The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO)
The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is the national self-regulatory organization (SRO) responsible for overseeing Canada's investment industry, including investment...
Read The Rest...Safe Food for Canadians Act Guide
The Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) represents a significant modernization of Canada's food safety system, having largely come into...
Read The Rest...How To Export Industrial Hemp From Canada
Navigating Canadian Export Regulations and Licensing Exporting industrial hemp from Canada for sale elsewhere means you need to know the...
Read The Rest...Legal Requirements for Food Premises in Ontario Under the HPPA
Ontario's Laws for Establishments That Prepare Food The Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) as the Legal Foundation The Health...
Read The Rest...How To Export Cannabis From Canada
Canada stands as a significant participant in the evolving global cannabis market. While the commercial export of cannabis from Canada...
Read The Rest...Ferment On Premise (FOP) Licence Ontario
For businesses in Ontario, particularly those operating as U-Brew or U-Vint facilities, that plan to offer customers the ability to...
Read The Rest...B300 Excise Duty Return For Cannabis Producers Under the Excise Act, 2001
The B300 Cannabis Duty and Information Return is a mandatory reporting instrument for all federally licensed cannabis cultivators, producers, and...
Read The Rest...Supplemented Food Facts Table (SFFt) Guide
The Supplemented Food Facts Table (SFFt) is a specialized nutritional labelling tool mandated for supplemented foods—products containing added vitamins, minerals,...
Read The Rest...Food and Drugs Act (Canada) Guide
The Canadian Federal Legal Framework for Food, Drugs, NHPs, and Cosmetics The Food and Drugs Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. F-27)...
Read The Rest...Toronto Business Licence Guide
Navigating the landscape of business licences and permits in Toronto can be a daunting undertaking for both aspiring entrepreneurs and...
Read The Rest...What is a Chief Anti Money Laundering Officer (CAMLO)?
In the world of finance and banking, there are many roles and responsibilities that are crucial to the smooth operation...
Read The Rest...Get Your Alcoholic Drinks Into The LCBO
Get Your Beer, Wine, Vodka, Rum, Gin, Tequila, Whiskey, Brandy, Cognac Cider, or Mixed Drinks into the LCBO How to...
Read The Rest...Can I Smoke or Grow Weed in my Condo?
Cannabis Consumption in Ontario Condos Since Canada legalized cannabis, folks living in Ontario condos have had a lot of questions...
Read The Rest...What is the Bank of Canada?
The Bank of Canada's Role Canada's Central Bank Mandate The Bank of Canada is the nation's central bank, established to...
Read The Rest...Cannabis Research Licence from Health Canada
Researchers planning to conduct scientific investigations involving cannabis in Canada must first navigate the federal licensing framework. Obtaining a research...
Read The Rest...What is the Non-Therapeutic Research on Cannabis (NTRC) Framework?
As cannabis accessibility and use continue to evolve globally, a structured approach is essential for guiding scientific inquiry into its...
Read The Rest...Guide to PIPEDA in Canada
The Lawyer's Guide To Complying With The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) The Personal Information Protection and...
Read The Rest...What is FINTRAC?
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) operates under the legislative authority of the Proceeds of Crime...
Read The Rest...Tax Compliance Verification (TCV) Numbers Ontario
Opening or renewing a liquor license in Ontario can be challenging, especially with the Tax Compliance Verification (TCV) process now...
Read The Rest...What is the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA)?
Canada's Umbrella Group for The Regulation of Securities Mandate and Objectives The Canadian Securities Administrators, or CSA as it's commonly...
Read The Rest...What is Grabba Leaf?
Have you noticed grabba leaf gaining traction in Canada’s smoke shops and cannabis culture, especially among those who want to...
Read The Rest...Guide To Canada's Vaping Products Reporting Regulations (VPRR)
The Vaping Products Reporting Regulations (VPRR) was registered as SOR/2023-123 on June 9, 2023, under the Tobacco and Vaping Products...
Read The Rest...Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act
Canada's Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, also known as the CPLA, outlines the requirements for labelling and packaging of consumer...
Read The Rest...Tobacco Tax Act Ontario
Ontario's Tobacco Tax Act is a complex set of regulations that govern the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of tobacco products...
Read The Rest...Smoke-Free Ontario Act
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) is a comprehensive tobacco control law aimed at reducing the number of Ontarians exposed to...
Read The Rest...Tobacco and Vaping Products Act Canada
In recent years, Canada has become increasingly concerned with the proliferation of tobacco and vaping products. These products have been...
Read The Rest...Retail Payment Activities Act
The Retail Payment Activities Act (RPAA) is an important piece of legislation that has significant implications for the retail payments...
Read The Rest...Liquor Licence and Control Act
The Liquor Licence and Control Act is a crucial piece of legislation in Ontario, governing the sale and consumption of...
Read The Rest...Excise Act 2001 Guide
The Excise Act 2001 is crucial to understand for Canadian importers and manufacturers of tobacco, cannabis and liquor, including wine...
Read The Rest...Vape Packaging and Labelling Requirements
This comprehensive guide aims to help you navigate the various requirements that apply to the packaging and labelling of vaping...
Read The Rest...Cannabis Licences in Canada | Federal & Provincial Licensing Guide
Legal Services for Cannabis Licensing Across Canada Substance Law provides legal services to businesses seeking to obtain cannabis licences across...
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