You have to frame this decision this way: “How does it make money for Couche-Tard?”

Just like the (terrible) Staples/Service Ontario deal, this is Doug being Doug and “doing deals”. He’s only ever been a small-business failson whose enablers cover for him at every turn, and he loves playing business and loves it when everyone gets a win. Everyone, that is, except citizens of Ontario.

I’m sure that Couche-Tard, even without the Harper connection, saw him coming a mile away.