Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says the LCBO is not selling 250 stores, dismissing a claim by Progressive Conservative finance critic Vic Fedeli.
Fedeli produced a document during question period on Monday which he said states the LCBO is looking for a real estate vendor to sell 250 locations.
“Why are (the Liberals) keeping the details of this sale of LCBO stores secret from the people of Ontario?” Fedeli asked.
In the document, which is dated one day before the release of this year’s budget, the LCBO appears to invite proposals for real estate services.
“The LCBO’s main intention is to sell properties listed in attachment 4 – LCBO-owned stores by region,” the proposal reads.
But Wynne denied any intention of selling off stores, saying instead that the document is all about managing the LCBO’s real estate portfolio.
“Those 250 stores are not being sold, despite what the finance critic may say,” Wynne told reporters.
In a statement released Monday, the LCBO confirmed it is looking for a single brokerage service.
“The request for proposal posted publicly by the LCBO is for ‘as needed’ real estate brokerage services that will help it manage future transactions such as leases, rentals and property sales,” the statement said.
The LCBO also said that it will be “issuing an amendment” to the proposal to ensure that it is clearer.
Wynne said that the only property for sale is the LCBO’s headquarters at Yonge Street and Queen’s Quay, which is expected to fetch more than $200 million.
With a report from CTV Toronto’s Janice Golding
