Ontario quietly moving ahead with convenience store beer sales
Ontario has been quietly consulting with stakeholders on how best to bring Premier Doug Ford’s pledge of selling beer in corner stores to fruition, with at least one advocacy group saying they hope to see the market expand by Canada Day 2024.
It’s a promise years in the making. Ford first presented the idea as part of his 2018 election campaign, passing a bill the following year that would axe an existing deal with The Beer Store preventing the expansion.
The Master Framework Agreement (MFA) was first signed in 2015 under the previous Liberal government. The agreement, which limited the expansion of beer and wine sales to 450 grocery stores, expires in 2025.
Negotiations between the government and Beer Store owners have been contentious, which is likely why it has taken so long for the province to move ahead with their proposal. Progressive Conservatives have argued the agreement was a “terrible deal for Ontario consumers” and that it has allowed large beer companies to monopolize alcohol sales.
In the spring of 2023, the Ford government launched consultations on expanding sales to corner stores. Participants were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements, so little is known about what is on the table.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Dave Bryans, CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association, says he received an invitation to consult on the proposal.
“We are inching if not moving faster towards an open market,” he told CTV News Toronto on Tuesday, noting that he has participated in multiple consultation processes over 13 years and signed numerous NDAs that prevent him from talking about the meetings themselves.
“I think we're going to go forward and I hope by next Canada Day, there'll be some level of convenience stores that will be able to service the community.”
Bryans said he anticipates it will take time before the expansion takes place but that it would provide more convenience for shoppers while supporting small business.
He also said he could see the expansion starting with beer and ready-to-drink beverages like pre-mixed cocktails and coolers.
“I think we have to start somewhere and we have to start testing the market.”
The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) has publicly expressed concerns about expanding alcohol to corner stores, although it says it declined to participate in the consultation process due to the NDA, arguing the organization wanted to share updates with its membership prior to an official announcement.
Instead, it released a letter in May outlining the “inevitable consequences of illnesses, deaths and social harms to our citizens that will follow with increased sales and consumption of alcohol in Ontario.”
“There's lots and lots of research that tells us that as consumption of alcohol goes up, there are so many related harms that could happen,” John Atkinson, executive director of OPHA, said in an interview with CTV News Toronto.
“These kinds of harms include everything from increases in chronic disease like cancer, because alcohol is a known carcinogen, [and] increases in streets and domestic violence, road crashes, thefts.”
Atkinson argued that alcohol is readily available for consumers at Beer Stores, LCBO stores, and a number of other retailers.
“There's no need to expand sales beyond where they are right now,” he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government allowed restaurants to sell alcohol with food as part of a delivery and takeout order and expanded a liquor licence to a 7-Eleven in Leamington with in-store dining. Dozens of other 7-Eleven locations in southwestern Ontario have also applied for a licence.
The government is working towards a September deadline in terms of its negotiations with the Beer Store and consultations with stakeholders, in order to give enough time for a transition as the MFA expires. A spokesperson within the Minister of Finance’s office told CTV News Toronto that while it can’t disclose details of the discussions, “the government supports meaningful change to alcohol sales in Ontario.”
“This is one of many priorities for the government and we look forward to continuing to deliver choice to Ontarians and new opportunities for businesses,” Emily Hogeveen, director of media relations with the minister’s office, said in a statement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
4 homes lost due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., completely destroyed four homes and damaged six more properties, according to an update from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'