OCSA Weighs In On Proposed Vaping Regulations
Proposed changes to regulations surrounding the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act were revealed by Health Canada recently. Among them, changes to how retailers such as convenience stores would be permitted to advertise products. The Ontario Convenience Stores Association takes pride in working alongside government to provide practical solutions to identified problems in ways that are […]
Plain Packaging Regulations To Take Effect In November
New plain packaging regulations for Canadian tobacco products are coming into effect in November 2019 for manufacturers and February 2020 for Retailers. Among the regulations: Brand colours, graphics and logos on packages are prohibited, and a drab brown colour is required to appear as the base colour for all brands; brand names can still appear […]
Resources For Managing Food On Premises
Managing food on premises is no small task but our responsible retailers are diligent to meet every lofty standard set forth for them by the government of Ontario. Below are references set forth by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care that all retailers that manage food on premises can consult. Ministry of Health and […]
Queen’s Park Day 2019, A Great Success
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) held our annual Queens Park Day meeting with MPPs from all political parties on opportunities for the family run businesses in Ontario. Thank you to the 17 retailers who attended & presented to the many MPPs. Special thanks to Hon. Vic Fideli for your warm words at our reception […]
AGCO Issues Bulletin On CBD Oil
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has issued a bulletin declaring that unauthorized retailers currently selling Cannabidiol oil are required to immediately cease the sale and remove the product from their premises. The bulletin states that CBD oil is made from the cannabis plant and is thus captured under the definition of cannabis in […]
Minimum Wage Hike Cancelled Along With Other Bill 148 Amendments
Update: The Ontario government has formally announced which amendments to Bill 148 it will repeal. Chief among the previous government’s modifications to the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 was a plan to raise minimum wage up to $15.00 per hour in 2019. While the current government won’t roll back the increase to $14.00 that took […]
Latest on Beer in Ontario Convenience Stores
UPDATE: Convenience stores throughout Ontario are asking the same question as we work with the Ontario government to create a new category for our members: where is our beer? Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Finance Vic Fideli continue to assure us that they are committed to living up to their election promise of beer in […]
Government Analysis of Plain Packaging Regulations
Update: We wrote in July that the the federal government was open to public consultation regarding proposed plain packaging changes. Unfortunately for OCSA members and other small retailers, the government has decided to proceed with the changes despite the potential risk that they pose to businesses. As outlined below, the federal government believes that plain […]
Launch of New Vaping Rules Postponed
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act that was scheduled to be updated to include new rules for the sale, display and promotion of vaping products as of July 1, 2018 has been put on hold (at the last minute) by the new Ford government. The OCSA is pleased with this decision as we have always advocated for […]
Ontario PCs Announce Beer and Wine for Convenience Stores if Elected
Dave Bryans (CEO of the OCSA) met with Doug Ford last week and Mr Ford said …’ Dave, help is on way for small business and I am going to give your channel beer very shortly’ and he made the announcement on Friday. Backgrounder – Modernize Beer and Wine Sales Alcohol reform is something long […]