LCBO Convenience Agency Store Issues
The LCBO, for all intents and purposes, is a hierarchy that has not demonstrated an interest in the issues affecting their rural retail family-run partners. Since most retailers are nervous with the possibility of retribution, they are unwilling to voice their concerns. The OCSA has met with a few LCBO Convenience Store operators and unfortunately […]
Beverage Alcohol Update
Why aren’t the convenience stores able to sell alcohol yet? There is no one answer but a lot of this delay pertains to the past Liberal government signing a 10-year exclusive deal with the three (3) major owners of The Beer Stores known as the MFA agreement. This agreement subjects the present government to penalties […]
LCBO Convenience Outlet – Discussions
The OCSA has conducted various meeting on behalf of the Agency stores in Ontario to build a better model for additional stores, correct some of the issues affecting the stores as follows: Policy suggestions to improve partnership with convenience stores for consideration: Expand the product offerings in LBCO Convenience Outlets to include ready-to-drink, ciders as […]
Beer and Wine Update, October 2020
It has now been three years since the Ontario government promised to allow consumers more access to beer and wine in local, family-run convenience stores. The program, to this point, seems to have stalled despite our continued participation in meetings on the subject. What we have seen in the meantime is the relaxation of various […]
OCSA Remains Committed To Adding Beer And Wine
We are sure many are disappointed with the slow down on the roll out of beer and to the convenience store sector and want to assure everyone that this government is still committed to the channel and customer convenience for beer and wine. The OCSA has informed the government of our customers’ expectations as well as […]
Ontario Beverage Alcohol Oversight and Changes
The Minister of Finance tabled the fall economic statement yesterday in an Omnibus bill that has gone through first reading. There were many references throughout the Bill that referred to the beverage alcohol oversight and changes. The OCSA along with several different stakeholders were invited to a technical briefing last week for a review and […]
Open Beer Market Closer Than Ever
The Minster of Finance has started to end the Beer Store controls at the end of June and the first two steps in an open market were easy to implement by allowing an additional 87 grocery stores to sell beer as part of the MFA agreement of 450 grocery stores allowed to sell beer in […]
OCSA Applauds Passage of Bill 115
Bringing Choice and Convenience to Customers June 6, 2019 – Oakville, Ontario – The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) and the 6,000 neighborhood and family-run businesses it represents is thrilled at the passage of Bill 115, the Bringing Choice and Fairness to the People Act (Beverage Alcohol Retail Sales), 2019. “This is fantastic news […]
OCSA Supports Province’s Plan to Modernize Beer and Wine Retailing
Bringing Choice and Convenience to Customers May 27, 2019 – Oakville, Ontario – The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) and the 6,000 neighborhood and family-run businesses it represents supports the Ford government’s work to allow convenience stores to support Ontario craft brewers and wineries, create jobs and deliver more choice and convenience to customers. Today’s […]
Get Educated About Modernizing Alcohol Sales in the Ontario
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association and FreeourBeer.ca are supporting the Ontario Government with an educational web site to educate Ontarians about modernizing how alcohol is solid in this province. Beer and wine are sold responsibly in thousands of Convenience Stores in North America and could finally arrive in Ontario. Please visit choiceandfairness.ca for more information […]