The federal election is just weeks away, which is why the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) recently launched its 2025 platform.
The organization is calling on all political parties to support Canada's land border duty free sector and the communities that depend on it.
The FDFA is urging action on three recommendations that will help protect small, Canadian-owned, export-driven businesses that are vital to rural border communities across the country.
- Targeted Financial Support: Introduce a relief package for businesses facing immediate harm due to cross-border trade volatility.
- Ministerial Directive: Ensure all federal departments apply the export status of duty free shops consistently.
- Excise Tax Alignment: Modernize tax policy to level the playing field with the U.S.
“These businesses are in crisis,” said Barbara Barrett, Executive Director of FDFA in a news release issued today. “They are 100 per cent reliant on cross-border traffic, and with rising tariff threats and declining travel, they are the first and hardest hit. Without support, we will lose long-standing, family-owned businesses that help sustain border economies.”
For more information, see the release below.
Today on Parliament Hill, the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) officially launched its 2025 federal election platform, calling on all political parties to adopt urgent measures to support Canada’s land border duty free sector and the communities that depend on it. FDFA is urging action on three straightforward, actionable recommendations that will help protect small, Canadian-owned, export-driven businesses that are vital to rural border communities across the country.
“These businesses are in crisis,” said Barbara Barrett, Executive Director of FDFA. “They are 100 per cent reliant on cross-border traffic, and with rising tariff threats and declining travel, they are the first and hardest hit. Without support, we will lose long-standing, family-owned businesses that help sustain border economies.”
Canada’s land border duty free stores are 100 per cent export businesses. They promote Canadian products, keep dollars in the country, and serve as critical economic anchors in small border towns. But they are facing compounding pressures — including outdated excise tax rules, inconsistent recognition of their export status across departments, and increased vulnerability to U.S. trade action.
As tariff threats escalate, these businesses and the communities around them are being hit hard and fast by reduced cross border traffic. A recent industry survey found that one-third of Canada’s land border duty free stores are at risk of closure within months if no action is taken.
FDFA’s platform calls on all federal parties to adopt the following three recommendations:
- Targeted Financial Support: Introduce a relief package for businesses facing immediate harm due to cross-border trade volatility.
- Ministerial Directive: Ensure all federal departments apply the export status of duty free shops consistently.
- Excise Tax Alignment: Modernize tax policy to level the playing field with the U.S.
“This is not a big ask,” said Barrett. “These are small, achievable steps that will keep people employed, dollars in Canada, and communities stable.”
FDFA will continue engaging with all federal parties and stakeholders to ensure these priorities are included in party platforms ahead of the 2025 federal election.