News

Deadline for entries is October 31, 2020.

Calls for the return of hazard pay are mounting as workers on the front lines of Canada's retail industry grow increasingly anxious amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Research emphasizes the importance of hand washing and stringent in-store cleaning regimesCoronavirus may remain for weeks on bank notes and glass surfaces, such as touchscreen, according to new research from the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.The study, which set out to examine the "effect of temperature on persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on common surfaces" shows the virus is “extremely robust.”Polymer bank notes (like the ones used here in Canada), de-monetised paper bank notes and common surfaces, including brushed stainless steel, glass, vinyl and cotton cloth were used as substrates in this study.The research showed SARS-CoV-2 can survive  for 28 days on smooth surfaces, such as glass on mobile phone screens or self-checkout touchscreens, and plastic banknotes, at room temperature (20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit), compared to 17 days survival for the flu virus.According to the scientists involved in the study, "These findings demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious for significantly longer time periods than generally considered possible.

The Trudeau Liberals sought Friday to get ahead of growing economic concerns linked to rising COVID-19 case counts, vowing new and revamped business supports to keep workers on payrolls and maintain job gains threatened by the pandemic's second wave.The government plans to provide direct rent support to commercial tenants at a projected cost of $2.2 billion through the end of the year, rather than flowing the money through landlords who were not keen on a previous version of the program.A wage subsidy program will cover up to 65% of eligible costs through December, costing the treasury $6 billion over that time, and $11 billion more to a well-used loan program by providing an added $20,000, half of which would be forgivable.Even though many businesses have reopened, a number are not at full capacity while others worry about surviving a second wave.

Alessandro Natola is the new president of Ferrero Canada.

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says six single-use plastic items that aren't easily recycled and already have more environmentally friendly alternatives will be the first to go under Canada's new restrictions on plastics.

Now that we are experiencing a momentous shift in how the convenience store industry operates is clear, but where do we go from here?

The Convenience Industry Council of Canada and its member partners raised more than $75,000 for Make-A-Wish Canada during National Convenience Week.