News

Unions call on retailers to make pandemic-related wage premiums permanent
Unions representing essential workers at some of Canada's major retailers are pushing back against the decision to eliminate wage premiums that were put in place to compensate employees for working during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
C-store customers want clean bathrooms and hand sanitizer stations: Study
As provinces and regions enter new stages of re-opening in the era of COVID-19, more drivers will be on the roads, whether commuting to work, visiting reopened businesses or summer travels—and that could present opportunities for convenience stores.Overall, 84% of drivers surveyed say they will be visiting convenience stores on their journeys: 23% say they will shop at convenience stores as part of their regular routine, 38% say they will shop at stores when they need something, and an additional 23% say they will only purchase gas at convenience stores, according to a consumer survey conducted for the National Association of Convenience Stores by PSB Insights.

Breakfast is an important meal of the day for c-stores

Most of us are familiar with the slew of well-known phrases that, for decades, have been imprinted into the eating culture of Canadians.
How will our supply chain weather the pandemic?

In the first weeks of the pandemic, stores resembled a doomsday scene, with shelves picked clean by panicked consumers rushing to stockpile essentials.
Ontario joins B.C., N.B. and N.S. with temporary eviction ban

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.
New rules to speed up approvals for exploratory drilling off Newfoundland

The Canadian government is moving ahead with new rules it says will speed up approvals for exploratory oil and gas drilling off the east coast of Newfoundland, but conservation groups are warning the changes undermine environmental protections.Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan issued a statement last week saying the new regulation will improve the efficiency of assessments while upholding the “highest standards'' of environmental protection.“Our government recognizes that Newfoundland and Labrador's ability to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic will depend largely on a strong, resilient and innovative offshore,'' O'Regan said.Three environmental groups have launched a federal court challenge, arguing exploratory drilling off Newfoundland will now be green-lit without proper environmental assessments.The Ecology Action Centre, Sierra Club Canada Foundation and World Wildlife Fund Canada argued earlier this month that the science behind the new “regional assessment'' or RA process is flawed.Lawyer James Gunvaldsen-Klaassen, whose firm Ecojustice is representing the groups, argued that the regulation “flies in the face'' of the purpose of environmental scrutiny under the new Impact Assessment Act.The court later decided the case can proceed to a judicial review, but denied the group's request for an injunction.“The federal government stated that it intended to use the flawed RA and a loophole in the ...
Human trafficking: It's hiding in plain sight and you can help

When we hear the phrase 'human trafficking' most believe it is a distant problem in another country.
National Convenience Week kicks off August 31

The Convenience Industry Council of Canada is moving ahead with plans for this year's National Convenience Week, which is to take place across the country from August 31st to September 4th.
Star Women in Convenience Awards Event to take place Nov. 4

Mark your calendars!
Cash Exodus: COVID 19 pandemic could accelerate shift to cashless, experts say

Some businesses reopening with pandemic protocols in place have said they won't accept cash for the time being, potentially accelerating what the Bank of Canada describes as a decade-long shift away from the banknote.