‘Mr. Uxbridge’ retiring after 48 years in the Canadian Tire biz
Lisha Van Nieuwenhove
Canadian Tire Uxbridge store dealer Pat Higgins, who’s been at the helm since 1998, is retiring next Wednesday. John Cavers
There aren’t too many people in the Township of Uxbridge who don’t know who Pat Higgins is. Most residents here either know him personally, have seen his face and name in local media, or have at least had the pleasure of taking part in an event that he has either organized or sponsored in some way. Pat Higgins has earned the nickname “Mr. Uxbridge.” But next Wednesday, after 48 years of working with Canadian Tire (26 of those in Uxbridge), Higgins will hand over the store keys to a new dealer and head into the chapter of life called retirement.
“I’m tired,” says Higgins as he glances at a wall full of security monitors in his office, which overlooks the store. “I’m ready for a rest. But don’t get me wrong, it’s been fun!”
News of the local philanthropist’s retirement has quietly been circulating for awhile; Higgins says he told his staff of approximately 125 in June of last year that a new store owner was coming on board. He says he confirmed right away that they would all still have their jobs, and confessed that some of the staff were upset at the news of his retirement.
“The last couple of weeks might be hard,” says Higgins. “These people have been like a family, I certainly haven’t been an absentee store owner. It’s been my life.”
Pat Higgins took over Canadian Tire Store #127 from Norm Kane in 1998. He had previously been a store dealer in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and in Scarborough. Prior to that he worked with Canadian Tire’s head offices, or “corporate,” in various capacities. And he smiles when recalling how he began working for the company that became his life’s work.
“In high school, I thought I was going to be a chef. I was walking up Yonge St. (in Toronto) one day, just looking for a job, and there was a Canadian Tire Gas Bar there, so I got a job pumping gas...”
Councillor Willie Popp, left, and Mayor Dave Barton, right, present Pat Higgins with the inaugural Order of Uxbridge, and a framed image commemorating the Jumpstart multi-sport court, known as “Pat Higgins Park” at Bonner Fields. Cosmos file photo
Higgins has contributed thousands of dollars and man hours to Uxbridge through donations to various service groups, events and organizations. He initiated Huck Finn Youth Fishing Day as a way to get young people and their families out to explore Elgin Pond and discover the joy of holding a fishing rod. He’s made Uxbridge one of the most successful locations for the Jumpstart Program, a nation-wide initiative that helps children “overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation in an effort to provide inclusive play for kids of all abilities.” His Canadian Tire sponsors sports teams throughout the town. He even donated his own money to help build the “Pat Higgins Park” (the Jumpstart multi-sport court at Bonner Fields) in town. His generosity to Uxbridge is so legendary he was, in 2022, awarded the first Order of Uxbridge by the Township. Higgins says he was intent on “having the (Canadian Tire) Triangle around town as much as I could!” He admits, however, that the new dealer may find it challenging to take over the position.
“It’s not going to be easy on him, stepping in. He’ll likely continue some stuff, like Jumpstart and the Games, and the sponsorships. Huck Finn, though, that might be tougher for him.
“Him” is Mike Howell, from Whitby. Howell currently has a Canadian Tire store in Mississauga, and he’ll be taking over the Uxbridge store on Wednesday, February 14. The store will be closed all day to accommodate the changeover.
“The corporation owns the store, and I own everything in it,” explains Higgins. “Having the store closed for a day means I can hand everything over with all the stock counts intact, everything clean and tidy, and ready to go.”
When asked to reflect on his time with Canadian Tire, especially as a store owner, Higgins says he remembers the blackout of August 2003 as being particularly challenging, only to be topped by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had to scramble to do business in a different way in short order. We were doing 700 transactions a day!”
He says he prefers, however, to think about the better times he has had with his staff and the community.
“I’m ready to move on. I’m proud of my team, I couldn’t have done it without them.”
As for plans come February 15, Higgins says he plans to “lay low” for awhile.
“We’ve got a cottage, I’m going to do some work there,” he says.