City council is demanding the province follow through on its promise to increase resources being used to fight contraband and smuggling locally - a move which has garnered support from Ontario convenience stores.
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) was pleased city council passed a motion Monday night making the request of the province.
City hall will now pen a letter to Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan looking for more money to help law enforcement and small business take on smugglers.
"Cornwall serves as a major contraband hub due to its proximity to smoke shacks and production centres along the U.S border," said Dave Bryans, CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. "This has led to a perpetual threat to public safety of Cornwall residents, and has negatively affected the economy of our local retailers."
Cornwall area retailers and members of the OCSA are hopeful changes in the Ontario budget will help in the fight against contraband and smuggling.
"As the government looks to follow through on budget commitments to stop contraband tobacco, support from all levels of government will be critical in helping protect the safety of our communities, and to ensuring that age-restricted products don't wind up in the hands of Ontario's young people," said Bryans.
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) represents more than 7,000 convenience store operators throughout the province. More than three million people visit convenience stores in communities across Ontario every day.
