The history of OCSA's contributions to Convenience Week
Ontario convenience store retailers, suppliers and industry supporters are gearing up to celebrate Ontario Convenience Store Week in the lead-up to Labour Day.
The annual event recognizes more than 6,700 family-run convenience stores operating across the province day and night, 365 days a year.
The history behind Ontario’s Convenience Store Week
Before receiving official recognition, the Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) ran an event called “C-Store Days.” The August fundraising campaign saw member stores donate 100% of proceeds to children's hospitals in Ontario.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, convenience stores remained open as essential services to supply PPE, stock shelves and serve as lifelines for rural and remote communities. Recognizing these contributions, Willowdale MPP Stan Cho introduced a Private Member's Bill to grant the sector permanent province-wide recognition.
On May 20, 2021, the Convenience Store Week Act, 2021 received Royal Assent, establishing the week before Labour Day as Ontario Convenience Store Week. Ontario is the only province in Canada to formally recognize the convenience store industry with a dedicated week.
The achievement involved collaboration between the OCSA, the Ontario Korean Businessmen's Association (OKBA) and the Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC).
Charitable support for children's hospitals
Fundraising remains central to the week's activities. Donations raised through till contributions and supplier percentage-of-sales promotions support four Ontario children's hospital foundations:
- CHEO Foundation in Ottawa
- Children's Health Foundation in London
- McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation in Hamilton
- SickKids Foundation in Toronto
100% of funds raised stay within the province to assist local families and children.
Industry participation and history of celebrations
Since the initial official event from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4, 2021, province-wide participation has expanded. MPPs from all political parties regularly visit local stores, meet staff, work behind counters and take photos. An early visit occurred on Aug. 31, 2021, when MPP Rudy Cuzzetto visited Rima Rabba and team members at Rabba Fine Foods in Mississauga.
The event sits alongside the national Convenience Store Week campaign held in partnership with Make-A-Wish Canada.
