Last Updated On 29 August 2026, 9:54 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
New Canada Laws and Rules in September 2026: Next month brings one of the heaviest clusters of federal changes Canadians have seen in a single month.
New counter-tariffs on American goods, the return of gasoline taxes, an expanded disability benefit, and modernized rules for broadcasting and controlled substances all arrive within the same four weeks.
Whether you fill up at the pump, run a small business, manage a farm, or drive a truck across the border, many Canadians will be affected by at least one of these changes.
Here is a breakdown of 10 major federal laws, rules, program changes, and deadlines taking effect in September 2026.
Table of Contents
1. New Canadian Counter-Tariffs on U.S. Goods
Canada will impose new counter-tariffs on approximately $27.6 billion worth of goods imported from the United States starting September 8, 2026.
The federal government announced the measures on August 25, 2026, in direct response to U.S. tariffs of 50% on Canadian exports that took effect on August 22 under U.S. Section 338 and Section 232 authorities.
The Canadian counter-tariffs will apply at three rates: 15%, 25%, and 50%. Each product’s rate matches the corresponding U.S. tariff on that same good.
The Department of Finance has published a complete product list at the tariff-item level, covering more than 700 individual items across multiple sectors.
The highest rate of 50% will apply to categories including steel and aluminum products, furniture, and clothing and apparel.
A 25% rate covers appliances, dairy products such as cheese, fish and seafood, and certain steel and aluminum derivatives.
A 15% rate applies to additional product categories drawn from the U.S. Section 338 tariff schedule.
Consumer prices could rise across several categories if importers and retailers pass the new tariff costs through to Canadian buyers.
American-made appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators may see significant price increases at retail.
Steel and aluminium products used in construction and manufacturing could become more costly for Canadian businesses, potentially flowing through to finished goods.
Imported American furniture, clothing, dairy items, and seafood may also carry higher shelf prices depending on how supply chains adjust.
The counter-tariffs do not apply to U.S. goods already in transit to Canada on September 8.
Importers uncertain about classification or remission eligibility should consult with their customs broker before the effective date.
The government has stated that the tariff selections were made, where possible, to target goods for which Canadian alternatives are available.
The counter-tariffs were announced alongside a $7.5 billion federal support package for workers and businesses affected by the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade disruption.
2. Canada Disability Benefit Regulations and $150 Supplemental Payment
Amendments to the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations take legal effect on September 1, 2026, establishing a new supplemental-payment framework for CDB recipients.
The amended regulations were published in Part II of the Canada Gazette on July 1, 2026, following commitments made in Budget 2025.
The core change creates a $150 supplemental payment that the government will issue to eligible CDB recipients.
This payment is designed to help offset out-of-pocket costs associated with obtaining or renewing the Disability Tax Credit certificate, a prerequisite for receiving the monthly benefit.
The $150 supplement is a fixed amount paid as a one-time lump sum. It is not income-tested, meaning every eligible recipient receives the full $150 regardless of their regular monthly benefit amount.
The supplemental payment is separate from the regular monthly CDB payment, which has a maximum of $204.20 per month for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year.
Eligibility is automatic for anyone who holds an approved DTC certificate and is entitled to receive any amount of the CDB.
This includes individuals whose monthly benefit amount is $20 or less and who receive their benefit as a lump-sum payment. The eligibility also extends retroactively.
Anyone who received a CDB payment before September 2026 remains eligible for the supplement, even if they no longer receive regular monthly payments.
Canadians do not need to submit a separate application for the supplemental payment. Service Canada will deliver the supplement automatically once it begins distributing the payments.
The next regular monthly CDB deposit is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, per the official benefits payment calendar.
However, the government has indicated the $150 supplemental payment will begin in fall 2026 and has not confirmed whether it will be included with the September 17 deposit or issued on a separate date.
Budget 2025 allocated $115.7 million over four years and $10.1 million per year ongoing to fund the supplement.
3. Federal Fuel Excise Tax Suspension Ends
The federal fuel excise tax holiday that has been in place since April 20, 2026, is scheduled to end after Labour Day.
The suspension remains in effect through and including September 7, 2026.
Starting September 8, 2026, the federal excise tax on gasoline is scheduled to return to its full rate of 10 cents per litre.
Diesel fuel is set to return to 4 cents per litre.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the temporary suspension on April 14, 2026, in response to global oil supply disruptions connected to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Bill C-30, which contains the legislative amendments to the Excise Tax Act, received Royal Assent on June 19, 2026.
The suspension has also covered unleaded aviation gasoline, aviation fuel, and, following a June 18 expansion, leaded aviation gasoline.
The government estimated the tax holiday would provide over $2.4 billion in total relief to Canadian consumers and businesses.
When the full excise tax returns on September 8, the statutory increase will be 10 cents per litre on gasoline and 4 cents per litre on diesel.
Actual pump-price movements will also depend on wholesale fuel costs, retailer inventory, local competition, and applicable GST/HST recalculations.
The GST/HST is calculated on top of the excise tax, so the total retail impact could be slightly more than the face value of the excise tax alone.
There is significant political pressure to extend the suspension.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has publicly asked the Prime Minister to extend the pause until at least January 1, 2027, or to consider making it permanent.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also called for an extension.
As of this article’s publication date, the federal government has not officially confirmed whether it will table legislation to extend the zero rate beyond September 7.
A last-minute extension remains possible given the sustained public and political pressure and the fact that fuel prices remain elevated due to ongoing geopolitical instability.
4. New Federal Chemicals Reporting Requirements Take Effect
New mandatory information-gathering notices under Section 71 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, took effect on August 29, 2026.
This technically launched during the final days of August, but it is one of the newest federal regulatory requirements that Canadian businesses enter September with.
Phase 1 of the notice covers 184 substances identified as priorities under the federal Chemicals Management Plan.
The notice applies to qualifying manufacturers, importers, and users who meet the specific federal thresholds and criteria set out in the notice.
This is not a blanket requirement for every Canadian business that handles chemicals. Only those who meet the defined reporting triggers for the listed substances are legally required to respond.
Covered businesses may need to report information concerning quantities manufactured, imported, or used in Canada, along with details about commercial activities, facilities, products, uses, and other prescribed data.
Phase 1 submissions are due by March 3, 2027.
All responses must be submitted through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Single Window online reporting system.
The information collected will support Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada in making prioritization decisions, conducting risk assessments, and developing risk management measures where warranted.
A separate Phase 2 covers 16 additional substances and begins on a later timeline.
Businesses that manufacture, import, or use chemical substances commercially in Canada should review the full notice in the Canada Gazette to determine whether they meet the reporting criteria for any of the 184 listed substances.
5. New CRTC Canadian-Content Rules
New regulations governing what qualifies as a certified Canadian program in the audio-visual sector are scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2026, or on the day they are registered if registration occurs after that date.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission published the proposed regulations following Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-299.
That policy established a modernized definition of Canadian content and an updated certification framework for both traditional broadcasters and online streaming platforms.
The updated framework is part of the CRTC’s broader effort to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system following the Online Streaming Act, which amended the Broadcasting Act.
Key changes include an expanded list of key creative positions that earn production points toward Canadian-content certification.
The new system also introduces bonus points for productions that include Canadian cultural elements and a more flexible copyright-ownership policy.
Under the previous system, productions needed to earn 6 out of 10 points based on Canadians in key creative roles.
The new system uses a percentage-based threshold that ranges from 60% to 80% depending on the level of Canadian copyright ownership in the production.
Where Canadians hold more than 50% of copyright, the minimum threshold is generally 60% of total possible creative-role points.
Where Canadian copyright ownership falls between 20% and 50%, the threshold rises to 80%, with additional Canadian creative requirements.
The CRTC has also addressed the use of artificial intelligence in production.
While it recognizes AI as a legitimate production tool, key creative positions must be filled by human beings for a production to qualify for Canadian-content certification.
Programs already certified as Canadian under the previous framework will continue to qualify after the new rules take effect.
The modernized framework applies to all new certification applications received after the regulations come into force.
Applicants who submitted their applications before the effective date will be assessed under the older framework unless they specifically request assessment under the new rules.
Broadcasting undertakings with annual Canadian broadcasting revenue of $25 million or more will also be required to publicly disclose certain financial information.
6. Health Canada Section 56 Controlled-Substances Exemption Expires
A temporary class exemption issued by Health Canada under subsection 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act will expire on September 30, 2026.
The exemption has been in place since March 2020, when it was first introduced as a pandemic-era measure to reduce regulatory barriers and ensure continuity of care for patients relying on controlled substances.
It was extended in 2021 with a new expiry date of September 30, 2026.
The exemption has allowed pharmacists and practitioners expanded flexibility in prescribing and providing controlled substances.
This includes the ability for pharmacists to extend and transfer prescriptions for narcotics, controlled drugs, and targeted substances such as benzodiazepines.
The expiry is not a gap in coverage but rather a planned transition.
On October 1, 2026, Health Canada’s new consolidated Controlled Substances Regulations will come into force.
Published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in December 2025 following public consultations in 2024, the new framework merges multiple existing federal regulations and exemptions into a single modernized set of rules.
The authorities currently granted by the temporary exemption will be permanently established under the new regulations.
For patients, this transition should be seamless.
However, pharmacists and health-care practitioners should familiarize themselves with the new regulatory framework before October 1 to ensure their dispensing and prescribing practices align with the consolidated rules.
7. CBSA Ends the Commercial Driver Registration Program
The Canada Border Services Agency will discontinue the Commercial Driver Registration Program on September 1, 2026.
The agency cited low participation and duplication with the Free and Secure Trade program as the reasons for the decision, announced on July 30, 2026.
The CDRP was a Canada-only trusted-trader program that allowed pre-approved commercial drivers to receive expedited processing when entering Canada.
It was designed primarily for drivers working for carriers in the Customs Self-Assessment program.
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the CDRP received just 158 applications, compared with roughly 12,000 annual applications for the FAST program.
Applications submitted on or before September 1, 2026, will continue to be processed.
Existing CDRP membership cards remain valid until their printed expiry date, so current cardholders do not need to take immediate action.
Commercial drivers who wish to continue receiving trusted-trader benefits after their CDRP cards expire are being encouraged to apply for FAST.
FAST is jointly administered by the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, giving approved members access to dedicated lanes and faster border clearance at participating ports of entry in both countries.
Approved FAST applicants pay a one-time fee of $50 USD, and membership is valid for five years.
The key practical difference is that CDRP offered expedited entry only into Canada, while FAST provides benefits in both directions.
Drivers who previously used CDRP because they could not qualify for FAST due to U.S. admissibility issues should be aware that FAST membership requires approval from both countries.
8. Regional Tariff Response Initiative Expands
The federal government will add $1.5 billion in new funding to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative beginning in September 2026.
This expansion is part of the broader $7.5 billion support package announced on August 25, 2026, in response to the escalating Canada-U.S. trade conflict.
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is delivered through Canada’s seven Regional Development Agencies and is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises adapt to tariff pressures.
The program was already in operation before September, but the new funding significantly expands its scope and the size of individual contributions available.
Under the expanded terms, the maximum non-repayable contribution available to eligible businesses will increase from $1 million to $3 million.
This higher cap now includes support for demonstrated liquidity needs, in addition to existing support for capital investment plans or business-pivot strategies.
Separately, businesses may access liquidity support of up to $2 million.
This is a program expansion, not a new law or regulation.
Specific eligibility criteria and application procedures for the expanded funding are expected to be released by the Regional Development Agencies in the coming weeks.
Overall, the Regional Tariff Response Initiative is backed by $3.45 billion over four years.
Businesses directly affected by U.S. tariffs and looking for support to adapt operations, invest in new equipment, or manage short-term cash-flow challenges should monitor their Regional Development Agency’s website for updated application details.
9. AgriInvest Final Filing Deadline
September 30, 2026, is the final deadline for agricultural producers to submit their 2025 AgriInvest program forms and file their 2025 Canadian income tax returns reporting eligible farming income or losses.
This is a program deadline, not a new law, but it reflects a significant change to the AgriInvest filing calendar that took effect starting with the 2025 program year.
Previously, the AgriInvest initial deadline was September 30 of the year following the program year, and the final deadline with penalty was December 31.
Starting with the 2025 program year, both deadlines moved earlier. The new initial deadline to file without penalty was June 30, 2026.
The final deadline to file with penalty is September 30, 2026, which is now the absolute last day to participate in AgriInvest for the 2025 year.
Producers who file after June 30 but before September 30 face a 5% reduction to their matchable deposit for each month or partial month that their form is submitted late.
Filing after September 30 means the producer will not be eligible for AgriInvest participation for the 2025 program year.
AgriInvest is a self-managed producer-government savings account under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Eligible producers can deposit up to 100% of their Allowable Net Sales into an AgriInvest account, and the government matches the first 1%.
The maximum annual government contribution is $10,000.
An additional requirement for 2025 is that farms with average Allowable Net Sales of $1 million or more for the previous three program years must have a valid agri-environmental risk assessment in place.
Producers who have not yet filed should visit their My AAFC Account or contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at 1-866-367-8506.
10. Canada-U.K. CPTPP Trade Rules Enter Into Force
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership officially enters into force between Canada and the United Kingdom on September 1, 2026.
Canada ratified the U.K.’s CPTPP Accession Protocol on July 3, 2026, completing the process that began when the U.K. signed the protocol at the 7th CPTPP Commission Meeting in July 2023.
The U.K. officially became a CPTPP party on December 15, 2024. It is the first economy to successfully complete the CPTPP accession process.
With the agreement fully implemented in the U.K., the CPTPP bloc will encompass over 598 million people and represent 14.4% of global GDP.
Canada and the U.K. already trade under the Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement, which eliminates tariffs on 99% of U.K. tariff lines.
The TCA will remain in force alongside the CPTPP.
Canadian businesses will be able to choose which agreement to trade under depending on which set of rules best suits their needs for any given transaction.
The CPTPP adds several trade benefits that the TCA does not provide.
These include additional duty-free tariff rate quota volumes for certain Canadian meat exports and immediate duty-free, quota-free access for sweetcorn.
Canadian exporters can also qualify for preferential tariff treatment using the CPTPP’s broader rules of origin.
Under CPTPP rules, inputs from any CPTPP member country can count toward originating status for duty-free imports, creating more flexible supply-chain options than the bilateral TCA allows.
The agreement also extends enforceable investment protections and access to investor-state dispute settlement arbitration mechanisms.
The U.K. was Canada’s largest trading partner in Europe and fourth-largest merchandise trading partner globally in 2025, with bilateral merchandise trade valued at approximately $56.6 billion.
The U.K. is also the second-largest source of foreign direct investment in Canada, and total bilateral direct investment stock reached $97 billion in 2024.
Summary of All September 2026 Changes
| Change | Type | Effective Date | Who Is Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counter-tariffs on U.S. goods (15%, 25%, 50%) | New tariff regulation | September 8, 2026 | Importers, businesses, consumers buying U.S. products |
| Canada Disability Benefit $150 supplemental-payment framework | Regulatory amendment | September 1, 2026 | CDB recipients with approved Disability Tax Credit |
| Federal fuel excise tax suspension ends | Scheduled tax return | September 8, 2026 | All drivers and fuel consumers |
| Federal chemicals reporting requirements (Phase 1) | New Section 71 CEPA notice | August 29, 2026 | Qualifying manufacturers, importers, and users of listed substances |
| CRTC Canadian-content certification framework | Scheduled new regulation | September 1, 2026, or registration date if later | Broadcasters, streaming platforms, producers |
| Health Canada Section 56 controlled-substances exemption expires | Exemption expiry | September 30, 2026 | Pharmacists, practitioners, patients on controlled substances |
| CBSA ends Commercial Driver Registration Program | Program discontinuation | September 1, 2026 | Commercial drivers using CDRP for border crossings |
| Regional Tariff Response Initiative expansion | Program expansion | September 2026 | Tariff-affected small and medium-sized enterprises |
| AgriInvest final filing deadline | Program deadline | September 30, 2026 | Agricultural producers enrolled in AgriInvest |
| Canada-U.K. CPTPP trade rules | Trade agreement entry into force | September 1, 2026 | Exporters, importers, and investors trading with the U.K. |
September 2026 is a month that touches nearly every corner of Canadian economic life.
The combined effect of new counter-tariffs and the return of fuel taxes could increase costs for households and businesses alike.
Expanded support programs and new trade agreements aim to cushion the impact and open new opportunities.
Canadians should review how these changes apply to their personal finances, business operations, or professional obligations and take action before the relevant effective dates.
Staying informed about evolving federal policy will be essential as Ottawa continues to respond to a rapidly shifting trade and geopolitical environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will the new counter-tariffs on U.S. goods apply to items already in transit before September 8?
The federal government has confirmed that the new counter-tariffs will not apply to U.S. goods already in transit to Canada when the measures take effect on September 8, 2026. Importers and consumers with shipments moving around the implementation date should consult the latest CBSA guidance for detailed customs administration and tariff treatment.
If the federal fuel excise tax comes back on September 8, how will it affect gas prices?
The statutory change is the return of the 10-cent-per-litre federal excise tax on gasoline and the 4-cent-per-litre tax on diesel, effective September 8. However, actual retail pump-price movements depend on several factors beyond the excise tax alone. Wholesale fuel costs, existing retailer inventory purchased at the zero-rate, local competition, and applicable GST/HST recalculations all play a role. The excise tax is levied at the wholesale or distributor level, not directly at the pump. Gas stations set retail prices based on the wholesale cost of fuel they receive, so the timing of any price adjustment will vary by station and region.
Can I receive the $150 Canada Disability Benefit supplement more than once?
Yes, in certain circumstances. The $150 supplemental payment is issued for each approved Disability Tax Credit certificate that qualifies you for a monthly CDB payment. If your DTC certificate has an expiry date and you need to reapply and are re-approved, you would be eligible for another $150 supplement at that time. If your DTC certificate does not have an expiry date, you will not need to reapply unless the federal government specifically asks you to, meaning the supplement would be issued once. The payment is entirely separate from your regular monthly CDB amount and does not reduce it.
How does the CPTPP with the U.K. differ from the existing Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement for exporters?
The TCA already eliminates tariffs on 99% of U.K. tariff lines, so the CPTPP does not replace it. Instead, it adds a parallel set of rules that may be more advantageous for certain products or supply-chain configurations. The most significant practical difference is in accumulation of origin. The CPTPP provides broader accumulation across all CPTPP member economies, meaning materials sourced from Japan, Australia, Mexico, and other members can contribute toward originating status for Canadian goods exported to the U.K. Global Affairs Canada explicitly identifies this broader CPTPP accumulation as an important new supply-chain advantage over the bilateral TCA framework. A Canadian exporter who sources components from multiple CPTPP countries may find it easier to qualify for preferential U.K. access under the CPTPP than under the TCA alone. The CPTPP also provides new tariff-rate quotas for certain meat products that the TCA does not cover.
What happens to pharmacists’ ability to transfer and extend controlled-substance prescriptions after September 30?
The authorities granted under the temporary Section 56 exemption will not disappear on September 30. They will be permanently established under Health Canada’s new consolidated Controlled Substances Regulations, which come into force on October 1, 2026. The new regulations consolidate multiple existing federal regulations and exemptions into a single framework. Pharmacists will continue to be able to extend, renew, and transfer prescriptions for controlled substances under the new permanent rules. The transition is designed to be seamless for both practitioners and patients. Pharmacists should review the new regulatory text to confirm their specific practices are fully covered under the consolidated framework.
Fact-Checked: All information verified against official Government of Canada sources including canada.ca releases, the Canada Gazette, CBSA, CRTC, Global Affairs Canada, ESDC, Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada publications as of August 29, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Readers should verify all details with the relevant federal department or agency before making decisions based on this information.
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