CJA Government Relations
The CJA is the official voice of the Canadian jewellery and watch industry for the Federal Government of Canada. We advocate for our member’s needs with an impartial and unbiased voice.
Government Relations Team
Advocating for the industry
Our team of seasoned experts with experience in government relations and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance work with the government to make sure our industry’s voice is heard.
- Monitor changing rules and regulations
- Develop relationships and liaises with government
- Assist members in understanding Canadian laws and regulations
- Provide updates and information to the industry
- Support in reviewing regulations and proposed amendments
- Make recommendations to ensure the CJA’s voice is heard
Answers to your government questions
Developed to assist with navigating government websites, this guide offers the answers to common questions about the jewellery or watch business.
Explore government agencies
Our government relations experts meet with various agencies throughout the year. Learn more about our partners and discover initiatives important to the jewellery and watch industry.
27 meetings and counting for 2024!
Click the government agency in the right to learn more and discover initiatives important to the jewellery and watch industry.
Canada Border Services Agency
The government agency that protects Canada’s borders. CBSA facilitates the flow of legitimate travellers and trade. In addition, CBSA enforces more than 100 acts and regulations that keep Canada safe.
Competition Bureau
An independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses.
Department of Finance
The government agency responsible for the overall stewardship of the Canadian economy.
Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)
Canada’s financial intelligence unit and anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing supervisor. FINTRAC facilitates the detection, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities, while ensuring the protection of personal information under its control.
Our Focus:
Providing Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF) compliance expertise, in partnership with Outlier Solutions Inc., to assist CJA members with AML/ATF compliance regulations
Provide FINTRAC Updates relevant to the industry
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
The government agency that manages diplomatic relations, promotes international trade and provides consular assistance. GAC leads international development, humanitarian, peace and security assistance efforts, and contributes to national security and the development of international law.
Our Focus:
- G7 Sanctions on Russian Diamonds
Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED)
The government agency that works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada’s innovation performance, increase Canada’s share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.
Our Focus:
- International trade and investment
- Intellectual property and copyright
- Serve as an industry resource to ISED
Measurements Canada
The government agency responsible for ensuring accuracy in the selling of measured goods, developing and enforcing the laws related to measurement accuracy, approving and inspecting measuring devices and investigating complaints of suspected inaccurate measurement.
Visit the Measurement Canada website.
Our Focus:
- Weights and Measures Act/Regulations
- Tolerances (see Appendix 1)
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
The government agency that ensures that Canada’s abundant natural resources are developed sustainably, competitively and inclusively.
Our Focus:
- Natural Diamonds, learn more.
- Gold, learn more.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
The national police service of Canada.
Our Focus:
- Assist law enforcement, in partnership with Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC), in criminal investigations involving jewellery and watches.
Explore government agencies
Our government relations experts meet with various agencies throughout the year. Learn more about our partners and discover initiatives important to the jewellery and watch industry.
27 meetings and counting for 2024!
Click the government agency in the right to learn more and discover initiatives important to the jewellery and watch industry.
Canada Border Services Agency
The government agency that protects Canada’s borders. CBSA facilitates the flow of legitimate travellers and trade. In addition, CBSA enforces more than 100 acts and regulations that keep Canada safe.
Our Focus:
- CARM – Assess and pay duties and taxes on imported commercial goods
- Support for Importers and Exporters
Competition Bureau
An independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses.
Visit the Competition Bureau website
Our Focus:
- Precious Metal Marking Regulations (PMMR)
- Misleading Advertising & Deceptive Marketing
- Greenwashing
Department of Finance
The government agency responsible for the overall stewardship of the Canadian economy.
Visit the Department of Finance website
Our Focus:
- Canadian financial policies
- International trade and finance policy
- Representing the “Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones” (DPMS) on the Department of Finance’s Advisory Committee Money Laundering/Terrorist Financing (ACMLTF).
Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)
Canada’s financial intelligence unit and anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing supervisor. FINTRAC facilitates the detection, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities, while ensuring the protection of personal information under its control.
Our Focus:
- Providing Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF) compliance expertise, in partnership with Outlier Solutions Inc., to assist CJA members with AML/ATF compliance regulations
- Provide FINTRAC Updates relevant to the industry
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
The government agency that manages diplomatic relations, promotes international trade and provides consular assistance. GAC leads international development, humanitarian, peace and security assistance efforts, and contributes to national security and the development of international law.
Our Focus:
- G7 Sanctions on Russian Diamonds
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
The national police service of Canada.
Our Focus:
- Assist law enforcement, in partnership with Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC), in criminal investigations involving jewellery and watches.
Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED)
The government agency that works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada’s innovation performance, increase Canada’s share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.
Our Focus:
- International trade and investment
- Intellectual property and copyright
- Serve as an industry resource to ISED
Measurements Canada
The government agency responsible for ensuring accuracy in the selling of measured goods, developing and enforcing the laws related to measurement accuracy, approving and inspecting measuring devices and investigating complaints of suspected inaccurate measurement.
Visit the Measurement Canada website.
Our Focus:
- Weights and Measures Act/Regulations
- Tolerances (see Appendix 1)
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
The government agency that ensures that Canada’s abundant natural resources are developed sustainably, competitively and inclusively.
Our Focus:
- Natural Diamonds, learn more.
- Gold, learn more.
Public Safety Canada
Public Safety Canada
Keep ahead of the curve
Our team stays on top of the industry to keep you informed of the latest changes. Recent issues we’re working on include:
AML/ATF Compliance
FINTRAC is increasingly evaluating jewellers (DPMS) for Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF) non-compliance and penalties for non-compliance are on the rise.
CARM
In October 2024 the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) digital initiative will change how CBSA assesses and collects duties and taxes on commercial goods imported into Canada.
Canada - US Tariffs
Imposition of 25% tariff on all Canadian imports by the US is a ongoing issue and being monitored by the CJA
G7 Sanctions
Up to date information about the Special Economic Measures Regulations against Russian diamonds.
Greenwashing
The Competition Bureau is tackling unsupported environmental claims, commonly known as greenwashing.
Supply Chain Act
Canada is part of the 8 fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization on fundamental labour rights and is determined to contribute to the fight against modern slavery.
Plenty of ways to keep in touch
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