OCSA Invited to Ontario Government’s 2024 Budget Announcement
On Monday March 25, OCSA’s President, Kenny Shim, and Executive Director, Donna Montminy, were invited by the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, to attend the Ontario Government’s 2024 budget announcement. Of importance to the Ontario Convenience Stores Association, is the Modernization of the Tobacco Tax Act. In particular, the increasing fines to those who […]
LCBO Agency Store Issues – Letter To Minister Bethlenfalvy
Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, I am reaching out to you to highlight some of the issues the convenience stores in Ontario and the 400 LCBO Convenience Agency Stores are experiencing with little responses of understanding from the senior management of the LCBO. As a government monopoly, we need you to review the issues below as well […]
2022 Pre-Budget Submission
Below is a copy of the 2022 Consultation “Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance & Economic Affairs” — Please accept this document from the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. I am Dave Bryans, CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. It is a great opportunity every time I can present or participate in the […]
OLG Issues Thank You Letter To Convenience Stores
Convenience stores sell 76% of all lottery products in Ontario and this category is our single largest traffic generator and impulse sales driver. During the last 10 weeks, our family-run independent stores have once again demonstrated their importance by continually serving lottery players in every community, working electronically with our sales contacts and responsibly driving […]
Best Practices For Managing Store During Pandemic
Every convenience store in Ontario has the privilege of keeping their doors open to serve customers in every town, city and village in the province. It is imperative that we take this opportunity to ensure our stores are safe, sanitized and disciplined throughout this unknown crisis. Please ensure that the standards for our employees and […]
Government To Limit Vaping Options In Ontario
Minister of Health MPP Christine Elliott has decided to only allow convenience stores to sell three authorized vape flavours (tobacco, mint and menthol) going forward and only in the minimal strength that will drive our vape customers to the underground market or see them return to cigarette sales post consultation. Retailers all over Ontario should […]
Clarifying New Rules Regarding Vaping Products
There have been a number of clarifications around vaping laws recently and the onus falls on convenience store operators to comply with ongoing changes required by the government as issues continue to surface. The convenience store channel is already the best at ensuring youth have no access to either tobacco or vape products so let’s […]
Progress Toward Beer/Wine Continues
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association is recognized by this government as the representative and largest convenience store advocacy group in Ontario. This is a result of 35 years representing your interests, both manufacturers and retailers on all issue that affect our ability to serve Ontarians in every community. Beverage alcohol or the introduction of beer/wine […]
Ontario’s Employment Standards Policy and Interpretation Manual
The Ministry of Labour’s goal is to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, while promoting and enforcing employment standards and helping settle workplace disputes and collective agreements in Ontario. They’ve recently released new resources to employers in Ontario. Below is an excerpt of a press release they’ve shared with us: In line with the government’s commitment […]
Cannabis accessories now legal for non-medical purposes
Cannabis accessories are now legal to sell for non-medical purposes. This means they may be sold specifically for the purposes of consuming cannabis as long as they are sold within the rules outlined in the Cannabis Act and the cannabis legislation in each Province. The Federal Government has decided to regulate cannabis accessories very similar […]