Associations

The Ontario Convenience Stores Association is conducting a survey to gather information to share with the Ontario Government in an effort to find solutions to illegal cigarettes, while understanding the importance of the tobacco business for convenience stores.

Canada's convenience industry plays a significant role in helping the country celebrate Canada Day.From supplying fireworks, to sparklers, snacks, beverages, frozen treats, barbecue essentials and more, thank you for working hard every day so people coast to coast to coast can enjoy our national holiday.All the best to you, your team and your family!HAPPY CANADA DAYFrom,The CSNC & OCTANE team

Coca-Cola is working with Sheridan College’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies (CAMDT) to produce and distribute protective countertop shields for small businesses, including local convenience stores and restaurants hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.The initiative is designed to support and help business owners continue to operate while maintaining physical distancing measures.The project came about when Coca-Cola spoke to their customers and realized that a number of smaller, local businesses did not have protective shields or or only had temporary solutions, thereby putting staff and customers at risk.“Retailers and restaurants are working hard to ensure that Canadians can get the food, drinks and supplies they need during this challenging time,” Ron Soreanu, VP, public affairs & communications at Coca-Cola Ltd., said on the company’s website.

The Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing says the number of workers Ontario breweries employ has tripled in the last decade.

The Ontario government is responding to industry calls for clarity regarding enforcement of new vaping regulations and has agreed to delay enforcement of the new rules until December 31, 2020.On June 15, the province indicated it was moving ahead with the July 1 deadline for new amendments to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which brings with it more restrictive rules for c-store operators when it comes to the sale of vaping products.

Despite ongoing requests for an extension, Ontario is moving ahead with the July 1 deadline for new amendments to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which brings with it more restrictive rules for c-store operators when it comes to the sale of vaping products.These changes, part of the Government of Ontario’s efforts to curb youth vaping, were announced in January and were initially to come into play May 1.

Ottawa is postponing the enforcement of regulations regarding packaging of vape products in Canada to January 1, 2021 from July 1, 2020.In a statement, the Convenience Industry Council of Canada said that, since the start of the pandemic, it has been advocating for the pause of non-essential regulations: “Our key message to government is that the health and safety of our staff and customers would be compromised if we had to undertake extensive inventory changes.

The Ontario government is putting a temporary ban on commercial evictions to help small business owners who are struggling to pay their rent amid the COVID-19 fallout.Premier Doug Ford announced the moratorium on Monday which applies to small businesses who qualify for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program (CECRA), where their revenues have dropped at least 70% due to the pandemic.Ford outlined the details at a news conference, saying the ban will take effect for evictions as of June 3 and last until Aug.