Connie Dejak, the board chair of the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation (OCRC), doing business as the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), has resigned, ending her three-year term early. Former Toronto City Councillor Gary Crawford replaces her.
Dejak, the President/CEO of Runnymede HealthCare Centre, joined the board in 2019 and became board chair in December 2020. Her term was scheduled to end in December 2025; however, her position is now listed as resigned.
Runnymede HealthCare Centre is a rehabilitation and complex continuing care hospital in Toronto.
Dejak is being replaced by former Toronto City Councillor Gary Crawford. Crawford served as a city councillor for Ward 36, Scarborough Southwest, for nearly 14 years, and submitted his resignation on July 22, 2023.
“We would like to congratulate Gary Crawford, who has been appointed the new chair of the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation (OCRC),” a communications representative at the OCS told StratCann via email. “His appointment took effect on July 25, 2024. We are confident in his leadership and vision for the future of the organization.
“We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Connie Dejak who had tendered her resignation as Chair of the OCRC board, and we wish her well in her future endeavours.”
“It should be noted,” they added, “that the appointment to the Chair position is made by the government through the Public Appointments Secretariat.”
The board currently has nine members, including the chair and co-chair, all serving part-time positions. The President and CEO of the OCS, David Lobo, reports to the board.
Depending on experience, board members can be compensated up to $200 a day, vice-chairs receive up to $250 a day, and chairs receive up to $350 a day.
From 2019-2023, Dejak received $61,845 in remuneration (2019-2020 $1,525, 2020-2021 $6,975, 2021-2022 $33,425, 2022-2023 $19,950).
As a city councillor, Crawford served as the Budget Chief from 2014 to 2023 and served on committees such as the Budget, Planning and Growth, Economic Development, and the Executive Committee.
He also served on City Boards and Agencies including East Metro Youth Centre, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts as Interim Chair, Harbourfront Centre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Centre for the Arts and the Toronto Arts Council. He has chaired the Mayor’s Task Force on the Arts, the Theatres Working Group, and Co-chaired the Film Board.
In 2007, Crawford ran in the Ontario provincial election for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PCPO) from the riding of Scarborough Southwest, but was not elected.
