About
About the CPA
The CPA is a professional trade organization working to advance the positive and professional image of the pawnbroking industry in Canada.
The Canadian Pawnbrokers Association (CPA) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and enhance the positive image of the pawnbroking industry in Canada. As a professional trade organization, CPA works to elevate the standards of the association’s members and foster a sense of professionalism within the industry. In collaboration with government officials and law enforcement agencies, the association undertakes initiatives to curb unacceptable conduct in pawnshops and build a safer community for its members and their customers. Additionally, the CPA provides education, and networking opportunities to its members to enable them to improve their businesses and stay informed of all the latest trends in the pawn industry. The CPA is committed to keeping the pawn industry reliable and legitimate to protect both pawnbrokers and their clients.
Leadership / Board of Directors
Ben Foster
President of Cash Canada Pawn
Ben has been involved in the pawn industry for over 20 years as an operator, advisor and owner. Ben is the President of Cash Canada Pawn, a leading chain of pawnshops in Western Canada. Ben has been highly involved in the evolution of the pawn industry in North America, having previously served on the Government Relations Committee of the National Pawnbrokers Association, and as a founding member of the Canadian Pawnbrokers Association. Earlier in his career, Ben advised on many mergers and acquisitions across the North American pawn industry with an aggregate transaction value of over $1 billion.
Tanya Graver
COO and Operations Director for Hock Stars
Hock Stars started with one location in 2019 and now has three Buy, Sell, Buyback and Loan stores located in Ontario. She brings over 13 years of experience in the Buy, Sell, Trade and Pawn Industry. Hock Stars is customer forward and holds strong core values of Community, Experience and Innovation with a mission statement of “Changing the Negative, One customer at a time! Prior to opening Hock Stars Tanya worked extensively in the hospitality industry as well as being a certified Bookkeeper with an Accounting certificate by trade.
In addition to her professional achievements, Tanya is a mother of four children who she attributes being her driving force. Tanya is a committed member of the Wasaga Beach International Lions and the Lost Boys Hope Foster Group. She believes in giving back to the community.
Martin Strasser
Founding Partner in Premier Jewellery and Loans
Martin Strasser joined the pawn industry in 1995 as a founding partner in Premier Jewellery and Loans, located in Kelowna, B.C.
He has been a member of the U.S. National Pawn Association since 2002. Within that organization he acted as the committee chair for the 2020 N.P.A. Pawn Industry Operating Survey. This was a financial, operational, and demographic analysis of the US pawn sector. It was designed to provide pawnbrokers and stakeholders with clear, robust, and definitive data regarding a misunderstood industry. Martin is a founding member of the Canadian Pawn Association as well as a former director of the now dormant B.C. Pawn Association.
He has been privileged to present at several pawn industry conventions including multiple Midwest Pawn Conventions and the Pacific Northwest Pawn Convention. His presentations typically focus on pawn industry metrics with an emphasis on improving individual store operations. He is also a G.I.A. accredited Diamonds Graduate.
Mission and Values
Our Mission
To professionally represent pawnbrokers and the pawnbroker industry through legislative support, education, and advocacy for our members.
Our Values
- To provide financial solutions to help people meet their needs and pursue their dreams
- To treat our customers and employees how we and our families would want to be treated
- To transact business in an honest, forthright manner, making service with integrity a constant goal
- To enhance and promote the positive and professional image of all pawnbrokers by how we conduct our business
- To reflect distinction and professionalism in the pawn industry by how we maintain our place of business and its operations
- Obey all laws enacted by the local, provincial, and federal government
About the Pawn Industry
4340 People Employed
750 Stores Accross Canada
2,400,000 Clients Served Yearly
$151.53 Average Pawn
The Canadian Pawn Industry is a small but vital service sector. Current estimates state that there are roughly 700 pawnbrokers across Canada. With an average of 6.2 employees each the industry provides jobs to 4340 people. In a broader scale, pawn shops assist roughly 200,000 Canadians monthly which is approximately 5% of the Canadian population. (confirm with CPA metrics review)
The Canadian Pawn Association analyzed almost 190,000 transactions in 2022/23 and found that the average Canadian pawn is $151.31. In fact, 80% of all pawns written were below $200 in value. This is the true definition of microlending.
This information strongly suggests that pawns are used to address unexpected needs and not discretionary (or frivolous) purchases. For example, $150 won’t buy a new TV but it does fill a tank of gas and provide money for lunch. The key takeaways are that clients utilize pawn services to address critical cash flow issues and that they recover their items within a short period of time having resolved that issue.
Canadian statistics show that roughly 75% of pledged items are redeemed by the client. This aligns with trends from the U.S National Pawn Association as well as data from public companies. Research also shows that when items are not redeemed they tend to be significantly lower in value (and thusly more disposable).
History of Pawn Shops
History Sub Title
Cum anima adverterem quam plurimos graviter in via morum errare, succurrendum opinioni eorum et consulendum famae existimavi, maxime ut gloriose viverent et honorem contingerent. Nunc te, fili carissime, docebo, quo pacto morem animi tui componas. Igitur praecepta mea ita legito, ut intellegas; legere enim et non intelligere neglegere est.
Rustico debeo, quod in cogitationem veni, mihi morum emendatione et curatione opus esse; quod neque ad aemulationem sophisticam declinavi, neque de theorematis commentatus sum, aut exhortatorias oratiunculas declamavi, aut virum strenue exercitia subeuntem munificumve me ostentando homines in admirationem mei rapere studui; quod a rhetoricae, poesis et elegantioris dictionis studio abstinui; quod non elegantiore veste indutus domi incedo; quod epistolas simpliciter scribo instar ejus, quam is ipse Sinuessa ad matrem meam dedit; quod, si qui me irritaverint aut aliquid deliquerint, iis placabilem et ad reconciliandum facilem me praebeo, simul atque in gratiam redire volunt; quod diligenter legere soleo, non contentus sum maria rei intelligentia, neque garrulis properanter assentior; quod commentarios Epicteti legi, quorum mihi ipse copiam fecit.