Ontario directs LCBO to remove all Russian-made products from shelves
The Ontario government has directed the LCBO to remove all products produced in Russia from store shelves.
"The people of Ontario will always stand against tyranny and oppression," Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said in a statement Friday afternoon. "We will continue to be there for the Ukrainian people during this extremely difficult time."
The LCBO is one of the world's largest buyers of booze, importing alcohol from 80 countries and carries at least six brands of Russian vodka.
In a statement Friday afternoon, the LCBO confirmed they would be removing Russian-made products effective immediately.
"All products produced in Russia will be removed from LCBO sales channels," the statement said. "The LCBO stands with Ukraine, its people, and the Ukrainian Canadian community here in Ontario."
This includes the LCBO's 679 stores, online sales, and the LCBO Convenience Outlets.
Premier Doug Ford said the discussion about removing Russian-made products began on Thursday, after the government noticed calls for boycotts on social media, and the LCBO received concerned comments from customers about products on store shelves.
A person walks past an LCBO in Ottawa, Thursday March 19, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca also wrote a letter to LCBO President George Soleas asking him to pull several brands of Russian vodka from store shelves to show support for Ukraine.
"Any and all means of cutting off Russia's economy should be considered. Both provincially and federally," Del Duca said.
In 2021, the provincially owned liquor retailer removed a vodka brand from its 660 stores following complaints that the product’s name resembled that of the Soviet Union dictator Joseph Stalin.
At that time Ontario's Ukrainian community sent letters to the LCBO to stop the sale of Stalinskaya Silver Vodka made in Romania, saying the name stirs up dreaded memories associated with the Soviet Union and Stalin.
Meanwhile, Ford is calling for the federal government to accelerate the process of accepting more Ukrainian refugees that are fleeing the chaos in their country.
"These are brave women and men who more than anything need safe harbour right now," Ford said.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Upcoming GST relief causes confusion for some small Canadian businesses
A tax break for the holiday season will start this week, giving some Canadians relief on year-end shopping. But for small businesses, confusion around what applies for the GST relief has emerged.
Public support key but harder to keep as Canada Post strike drags on, experts say
Public support is key to the success of a strike, experts say, but as the Canada Post strike drags on, that support is likely getting harder to maintain.
Ontario mulls U.S. booze ban as Trump brushes off Ford's threat to cut electricity
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol.
Suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew barred from U.K.
A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he poses a threat to national security.
Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones
Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine on Friday, firing 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, describing it as one of the heaviest bombardments of the country's energy sector since Russia's full-scale invasion almost three years ago.
Canadian officials eyed 'new opportunities' no matter who won U.S. election: memos
As the U.S. presidential election loomed, Canadian officials envisioned new opportunities for co-operation with their southern neighbour on nuclear energy, supply chain security and carbon capture technologies — no matter who won the contest, newly released government memos show.
Man who set fires inside Calgary's municipal building lost testicle during arrest: ASIRT
Two Calgary police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident that saw a suspect lose a testicle after being shot with an anti-riot weapon.
She took a DNA test for fun. Police used it to charge her grandmother with murder in a cold case
According to court documents, detectives reopened the cold case in 2017 and then worked with a forensics company to extract DNA from Baby Garnet's partial femur, before sending the results to Identifinders International.
President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime minister
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist ally Francois Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week.
Montreal
-
Conservationists eager to see plan to save rare eastern wolf found in Quebec, Ontario
Gisele Benoit still gets goosebumps when she remembers the first time she saw a family of eastern wolves emerge from the forests of the Mauricie National Park under the backdrop of a rising moon.
-
Here are the weekend road closures in the Montreal area
Those planning on driving in and around Montreal this weekend should avoid certain sectors where construction is planned.
-
Rust scores hat trick, Penguins strike six times in third to win 9-2 over Canadiens
Bryan Rust scored a hat trick and added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the Montreal Canadiens 9-2 on Thursday night.
Ottawa
-
HAPPENING NOWHAPPENING NOW Today is the CTV Morning Live Holiday Helpers Food Drive. Here's how you can help
Today is the annual CTV Morning Live Holiday Helpers Food Drive to support the Ottawa Food Bank and ensure that no family goes hungry this holiday season.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING 1 person killed in single-vehicle crash near Arnprior, Ont.
One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash on Highway 417 near Arnprior.
-
More than 1,500 vehicles reported stolen in Ottawa in 2024: Here are the hotspots for thefts
Statistics on the Ottawa Police Service's Crime Map show 1,559 vehicles have been reported stolen in Ottawa between Jan. 1 and Dec. 12. Vehicle thefts include joy rides, opportunistic thefts, and "single-use crimes," according to police.
Northern Ontario
-
Elliot Lake fire crews continue to battle massive apartment fire
Fire crews continue to battle an apartment building fire on Hirshhorn Avenue in Elliot Lake. Damage is extensive.
-
Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting
An employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa, Ont., was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning, the financial institution said in a statement.
-
Stabbing in wooded area of Sudbury results in attempted murder charge
Sudbury police have charged a man, 28, with attempted murder after a stabbing in wooded area off Leslie Street on Wednesday night.
Kitchener
-
Guelph’s bike repair lady finally catches a ‘brake’
A Guelph woman who fought city hall and won in a bid to keep operating a bicycle repair service out of her garage, which benefits charity, scored another victory Thursday night.
-
Conestoga College offering 160 employees early retirement
Conestoga College is looking to cut costs by offering 160 of its full-time employees an early retirement package.
-
Premier proposing legislation to clear encampments and target illegal drug use
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is proposing stronger legislation for breaking up encampments.
London
-
Snow winding down, cold air persists, milder temperatures incoming
Although we’re expecting snowsqualls to wind down on Friday afternoon, it’s going to be bitterly cold out there today.
-
St. Thomas police investigating suspicious death
The St. Thomas Police Service is investigating a suspicious death.
-
Highway 21 reopens from Amberley to Port Elgin
OPP have reopened Highway 21 from Amberley to Port Elgin.
Windsor
-
Windsor could get a helicopter to clamp down on border: Premier Ford
A lot of chatter in Queen's Park today concerning relations between Canada and the United States – from border security to fighting tariffs with more tariffs.
-
Unifor National President visits Windsor amid Clear Medical Imaging Strike
Unifor’s National President Lana Payne made a visit to Windsor on Thursday, visiting those on strike at Clear Medical Imaging.
-
Shots fired in South Windsor, one injured
An investigation is underway after the Windsor Police Service said multiple shots were fired at a group of people in South Windsor.
Barrie
-
School bus cancellations
Forecasted squall activity has forced school boards to pull its buses.
-
Real blast of winter strikes again
Prepare for frigid temperatures and snow squalls in central Ontario.
-
What police want you to know about a new sophisticated scam
It’s no longer just phone calls or emails — fraudsters could now show up at your front door.
Winnipeg
-
'I am a little anxious': Winnipeggers weigh in on proposed 5.95 per cent property tax hike
Winnipeggers are mulling over a nearly six per cent property tax hike.
-
Manitoba premier eyes list of possible retaliatory measures for U.S. tariffs
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says his government is preparing a list of potential retaliatory measures if the United States government imposes new tariffs on Canadian goods.
-
Zebra mussel larvae found in Assiniboine River
Dead zebra mussel larvae have been found in the Assiniboine River.
Atlantic
-
'It felt like someone had really long nails': Owl attacks Halifax runner on trail
A woman says her evening jog took an unexpected turn when she was attacked by an owl on a popular Halifax-area trail.
-
No change in Nova Scotia gas prices, small changes in N.B. and P.E.I.
There was no change in the price of gas and diesel in Nova Scotia overnight while there were small changes in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
-
Public support key but harder to keep as Canada Post strike drags on, experts say
Public support is key to the success of a strike, experts say, but as the Canada Post strike drags on, that support is likely getting harder to maintain.
N.L.
-
Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador announce energy deal worth billions
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have signed a sweeping new deal to build new energy projects and throw out a decades-old contract that has long been a source of strife and bitterness for Canada's easternmost province.
-
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal
Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces.
-
Newfoundland towns light up harbours to honour fishers and pray for their safety
On a twinkling wharf in a small Newfoundland town, a crowd of about 100 people stopped singing and chatting on Friday night to bow their heads in a moment of silence for local fish harvesters.
Edmonton
-
College remembers slain security guard as documents show criminal history of pair charged
A vigil was held Thursday at Norquest College for a security guard who was killed at an Edmonton apartment building last Friday.
-
Travis Vader, killer of Lyle and Marie McCann, denied day parole
The man who killed an Alberta couple in 2010 has been denied day parole.
-
Police warn public about a text messaging scam circulating in Alberta
Vermilion RCMP issued a warning to the public about a text message scam involving speeding violation tickets.
Calgary
-
Water main break snarls traffic along northbound Crowchild Trail
A water main break during Thursday's evening rush hour brought motorists to a crawl on northbound Crowchild Trail in Calgary's southwest.
-
‘Very odd’: Death of young Calgary woman remains a mystery: police
Calgary police are calling on the public to come forward with any information they may have following the death of a young woman found unconscious on a northeast pathway.
-
Upcoming GST relief causes confusion for some small Canadian businesses
A tax break for the holiday season will start this week, giving some Canadians relief on year-end shopping. But for small businesses, confusion around what applies for the GST relief has emerged.
Regina
-
'We want to see some good hockey': Assiniboia rolls out red carpet for Red Wings after rink closure
The Weyburn Red Wings are carrying on with their season, despite their hometown rink being temporarily shuttered, thanks to the generosity of those in Assiniboia, Sask.
-
Sask. premier says collaboration needed to tackle border security and avoid Trump tariffs
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says an “all hands-on-deck approach” is needed to address border security concerns to avoid U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threat on products from Canada and Mexico.
-
Yorkton patient speaks out on city losing four doctors
A cattle farmer near Yorkton has spoken out about the shortage of doctors in the Yorkton region after losing her family physician in the area.
Saskatoon
-
'Gong show': Sask. emergency patients move into ambulatory unit at St. Paul's Hospital
The emergency department at St. Paul's Hospital is so full its turning to the ambulatory unit.
-
'Not even our project': Saskatoon city spends more than $5 million on homelessness with no provincial commitment
Saskatoon City Council held a special meeting Thursday morning to address homelessness years into the future, but frustration grew throughout the meeting as the province was absent from the conversation.
-
Prince Albert police release photo of suspect in family/grandparent scam
The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) is releasing a photo of a person of interest in connection with a family/grandparent emergency scam following multiple reports.
Vancouver
-
B.C. carjacking suspect sped across U.S. border before arrest, police say
Authorities have arrested a suspect who allegedly carjacked a pickup truck in B.C.'s Lower Mainland then sped across the U.S. border, triggering a massive police response.
-
Eby says 'nothing's off the table' in responding to Trump's tariff threats
From the merry-looking set of a movie, where he was making a film-industry-related announcement, Premier David Eby came out firing with B.C.'s potential response to massive tarrifs threatened by Donald Trump.
-
5 injured after multi-vehicle crash on Hwy. 99 between Surrey, Delta
Five people were hospitalized following a serious multi-vehicle crash that closed Highway 99 between Surrey and Delta during the Thursday evening rush hour.
Vancouver Island
-
Eby says 'nothing's off the table' in responding to Trump's tariff threats
From the merry-looking set of a movie, where he was making a film-industry-related announcement, Premier David Eby came out firing with B.C.'s potential response to massive tarrifs threatened by Donald Trump.
-
Team Canada athletes counting down to Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler
In recent weeks, BC Place has hosted the Grey Cup and the biggest musical act on the planet – and soon, the opening ceremonies of the Invictus Games will take over the venue.
-
Video shows B.C. commercial truck driver stumbling through roadside sobriety check
New video sent to CTV News shows a commercial truck driver struggling to stay on his feet during a sobriety check Monday afternoon in Port Coquitlam after allegedly crashing into multiple parked cars.
