Press Releases (EN)

May 15, 2025 – Toronto, Ontario – The following is a statement from the Convenience Industry Council of Canada, on the release of the 2025 Ontario Budget: “The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) commends the Government of Ontario for delivering on our recommendations to crack down on the growing contraband tobacco market and modernize […]

The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) responded to Budgets tabled in Manitoba and Saskatchewan today with disappointment. “Convenience retailers once again feel overlooked in Western Canada. In Manitoba, no action on contraband impacts both government and CICC members. The rising illegal market means that tobacco tax revenues continue to plunge in the province’s Budget.

CICC is shocked that yet again the BC governments’s 2025 budget does nothing to stem the flow of contraband tobacco which is fueling organized crime. “There is an incalculable level of economic uncertainty right now and the Budget 2025 forecasts a $10.9 billion deficit. It is perplexing then that the government continues to leave money on

The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC)  proudly applauded the Alberta government’s Budget 2025 measures to combat the massive contraband tobacco market in the province.  “It’s clear that the government heard calls from our industry and local stores that contraband tobacco is big problem for retailers, government revenues and funds organized crime throughout the country.

January 27, 2025 – Toronto   Today, the Convenience Industry Council of Canada (which represents corner store distributors, manufacturers, and retailers across Ontario) provided the following statement in response to the Financial Accountability Officer’s report. The statement is attributable to Anne Kothawala, President & CEO of the Convenience Industry Council of Canada:   “The Ontario

The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) applauds today’s announcement on Fortress Am-Can, a renewed strategic alliance between Canada and the United States, specifically a commitment to strengthen Canada’s border with the US by cracking down on the cross-border trade of illicit goods including contraband tobacco. “The reality is contraband costs us all,” said CICC

FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE November 20,2024 (OTTAWA) – Organized crime, trafficking in drugs, guns and tobacco, are cashing in on Canada’s growing contraband tobacco market, racking in almost $1.3billion– shuttering law-abiding retailers in the process. A new study conducted by EY Canada, commissioned by the Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) finds the illicit tobacco market is

CICC Frustrated and Disappointed with Status Quo Alcohol Sales FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2024: The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) responded to Danielle Smith’s announcement today that Alberta will maintain a duopoly for the sale of beverage alcohol in the province. Today’s announcement not to allow c-stores to sell beverage alcohol is un-Albertan. Premier

April 9, 2024 A Path Forward for Beverage Alcohol Retail Expansion A Made-in-Alberta Framework for Convenience Stores The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) is a national, not-for-profit council that represents more than 23,000 convenience retailers nationwide. Our sector employs more than 190,000 Canadians and generates an estimated $53 billion in economic impact from coast

With the overall goal of restricting youth access, some provincial governments, including Newfoundland and Labrador, have floated the idea of implementing a generational ban on tobacco. If adopted, this policy will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after a set base year, resulting in an eventual overall prohibition of tobacco products.