• About
    • Board of Directors
    • Newsletter
    • Industry Alliances
    • Blog
  • Join the OCSA
    • How to Join
    • Retail Members
    • Vendor Partners
  • 50/50 Lottery
  • Member Benefits
    • Lottery
    • Moneris
  • Training Certifications
  • Contact Us
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Newsletter
    • Industry Alliances
    • Blog
  • Join the OCSA
    • How to Join
    • Retail Members
    • Vendor Partners
  • 50/50 Lottery
  • Member Benefits
    • Lottery
    • Moneris
  • Training Certifications
  • Contact Us
JOIN NOW

Ontario Convenience Stores Deemed Essential

OCSA

The Ontario government announced yesterday that convenience stores in the province as deemed essential services as there are many who need access to these stores for food, milk and other products.

Our stores serve every community in Ontario and are open to ensure shift workers, emergency personnel and other essential service employees have access to needs and products when their shifts end throughout the province. Many communities are only serivide by a local convenience store and we take this responsibility seriously.

We are a much smaller footprint than big box offering a faster shop, as well we have fewer customers in store at any given time, and are a one stop shop for essentials and snacks. Simply put, we are your local store.

The government also announced that the sale of lottery tickets will continue during this time.

COVID-19 Best Practices for Lottery

Minimize Contact

  • Please follow your store’s current policies regarding best practices for physically handling any product.
  • To avoid contact, ask customers to point to the INSTANT ticket they want.
  • Have your customers use the Ticket Checker to check their tickets.
  • Have customers pay with tap when possible at locations equipped to take tap.
  • Tell customers to download the OLG Lottery App as a way to check their tickets from home.
  • Try to promote Advance Play.
  • Encourage customers to sign tickets before coming to the store (so they do not have to use in-store pens).

Disinfect

  • Keep disinfectant close by and regularly sanitize your Silent Sellers, Playstands and any pens at the cash area or Playstand that are used by customers.
  • Wash your hands as often as possible.

Stay Informed

  • Pay attention to OLG lottery terminal messages and pop-ups.
  • Pay Attention to public health authorities.

We support all our retail partners and any decisions that they make about their business during this evolving situation. We thank you for your continued partnership.

 

Share Article:

Become an OCSA Member

*if you have more than one location, please contact our office at 904.845.9152 to discuss multiple store discounts.

Earlier Posts

OCSA Convenience Stores report on RTD - ready to drink alcohol

Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcohol Industry Trends

Read More >
OCSA Red Stripe Official Beer of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival

How to Capitalize on Red Stripe Beer During the Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Read More >

Join Our
Newsletter

Get the latest updates on alcohol sales, member benefits, lottery, industry news and much more!

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: OCSA, 466 Speers Road, #3rd Floor, Oakville, ON, Ontario, L6K 3W9, CA, www.ontariocstores.ca. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

The OCSA represents 6,700 convenience store retailers in the province of Ontario. The not-for-profit association is active in advocacy, education and training for its members.

  • 466 Spears Road, 3rd floor, Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6K3W9
  • info@conveniencestores.ca
  • 905.845.9152
Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin

Privacy Policy

Become a Member

Take advantage of a growing range of benefits including networking and exclusive professional development opportunities, as well as discounts on products and services from our partners.

*if you have more than one store, please contact our office to learn more about multiple location discounts.

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Powered by Sense of Agency.