News

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.

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.
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.
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.
Toronto entrepreneurs shine a new light on grocery disinfection

The last two months have seen a lot of new safety protocols and practices quickly adopted across the grocery industry.
C-store design for a modern world: Q&A with CTM's Devin Mahaffey

Devin Mahaffey, president of the CTM Design, has seen a lot of changes first hand in the c-store space.
Minimum wage goes up in B.C. as businesses face COVID-19 challenges

British Columbia's lowest paid workers got a pay increase Monday with a scheduled minimum wage hike at a crucial time for small businesses as they look for ways to continue operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.