Licensed grocery stores will be able to order ready-to-drink beverages and large beer pack sizes starting this Thursday. The move is part of the Ontario government’s plan to give Ontarians more of a choice when it comes to alcohol purchases (as originally announced in May), especially amid the LCBO strike.
In a press release on Thursday, the Ford government noted that this will accelerate the first phase of the government’s plan to expand alcohol sales to grocery stores, convenience stores, and big-box stores, by allowing the 450 grocery stores that are currently licensed to sell beer, cider, or wine to sell them once they arrive in store, rather than waiting until August 1.
“Our government is keeping our promise to give people in Ontario choice and convenience while supporting Ontario-made beverage producers across the province, including the Ontario businesses that produce more than 80 per cent of the ready-to-drink beverages sold here in our province,” Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance, said in a statement, adding that the initiative is an important milestone for both grocery retailers and consumers as the province continues to modernize the alcohol marketplace.
By the end of October, every convenience, grocery, and big-box store in Ontario will be able to sell some alcohol products, if they choose to.
Over time, this more open marketplace will introduce up to about 8,500 new stores where these alcoholic products can be sold, something the Ford government is touting as “the largest expansion of consumer choice and convenience since the end of prohibition almost 100 years ago”.
Ontario is also making changes to cut red tape for alcohol sales in bars, restaurants, and grocery stores—licensed grocery outlets will be able to display alcohol in multiple areas of their stores (with some limitations), and to help bars and restaurants manage inventory and to ensure a consistent supply of products, the government is temporarily allowing the transfer of wine and spirits between locations with the same owner and/or affiliated licensees.
The province has also launched a new searchable and interactive map of retailers that are selling beer, wine, cider, or spirits, including Ontario-made products, during the LCBO labour disruption.
About 9,000 unionized workers with the LCBO went on strike earlier this month after contract talks between the union and the employer broke down. Ford’s plan to expand where certain types of alcohol can be sold has been a key issue between the two sides.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for alternatives for quality wine in the city, click here for our top 10 picks.
