Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC)

Retailers in Atlantic Canada are struggling under the one-two punch of reduced business due to COVID-19 and gas price regulations.

Ontario's Ministry of Health is hitting pause on a series of new vaping regulations that were to come into effect on May 1.The implementation of the new regulations, which have far-reaching effects on the convenience sector, will now be delayed until July 1, giving all parties time to make adjustments while also dealing with the business impacts of COVID-19.“We commend the Ontario government for listening to our concerns regarding the May 1st deadline to remove vaping products from our stores which was not feasible or in the public interest,” says Anne Kothawala, president & CEO of the Convenience Industry Council of Canada.

C-stores and gas stations across the country remain open under ever-changing guidelines, according to the Convenience Industry Council of Canada's Coast to Coast Update.

C-stores and gas stations across the country remain open under ever-changing guidelines, according to the Convenience Industry Council of Canada's Coast to Coast Update.

During these unprecedented times, convenience stores are standing out as integral players in helping Canadians deal with the impact of COVID-19.

As Canadians work together to flatten the curve during the COVID-19 outbreak, the convenience industry is working to meet the needs of Canadians.

Move called a blow to c-store operatorsIndustry associations at the national and provincial levels are up in arms over Ontario’s new plan to restricting the sale of flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes in convenience stores.Last week, Health Minister Christine Elliott unveiled a number of measures designed to curb youth vaping (READ: It's official: Ontario to ban flavoured vapes).

[caption id="attachment_23009" align="alignright" width="300"] Shutterstock[/caption]Convenience stores not a top source of vaping products for youth, according to the “2019 Drug use Among Ontario Students Report”  by The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).“This data confirms what the CICC has been saying for months, convenience stores are not the source of vaping products for youth, and this report makes the Ontario government’s targeting of convenience stores in their attempt to address the youth vaping problem all the more baffling” says Anne Kothawala, president and CEO of the Convenience Industry Council of Canada.The Ontario government is currently considering both a flavour ban and a nicotine cap for the sale of vapour products sold in convenience stores, but not specialty vape shops or online retailers.