Alberta Won’t Expand Liquor Sales to Grocery, Corner Stores

Albertans won't be able to buy alcohol from grocery and convenience stores following a government review. Bottles of wine are shown on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

The Alberta government says it won’t expand liquor sales to grocery and convenience stores because of concerns it could harm current liquor retailers.

The decision comes after an MLA review committee said that changing Alberta’s private liquor model could harm the existing industry—especially small businesses—while reducing product variety, according to an Oct. 2 press release.

Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally accepted the committee’s recommendation to maintain the private model, saying the change “would significantly harm small businesses.”

Despite the convenience for consumers, expansion to grocery and convenience stores “would have a detrimental effect on the retail liquor store industry,” said committee member Scott Sinclair, MLA for Lesser Slave Lake.

“Our review determined that such a move would significantly harm small businesses and could ultimately lead to widespread closures, job losses and diminished selection for consumers.”

The review committee conducted “extensive consultations” with industry representatives, business owners, and experts, according to the release.

Alberta was the first province to privatize alcohol sales in 1993 and is the only province with a fully privatized system.

Ontario’s Approach

Alberta’s review of its liquor model comes after Ontario announced late last year that it would expand liquor sales to grocery, convenience, and big box stores across the province by 2026. The move would add 8,500 liquor retailers to the market, according to provincial estimates.

Premier Doug Ford said the decision delivers on a promise he made to Ontarians to give them “more choice and convenience.”

“There’s no reason why Ontario consumers shouldn’t enjoy the same convenient shopping experience as Canadians in every other province when buying some wine for their holiday party or a case of beer or seltzers on their way to the cottage,” Ford said in a Dec. 14, 2023, news release announcing the policy.

The new policies, the province said, would include “time-limited” support measures for local producers, such as dedicated shelf space for craft products, “to help with the transition to a more open marketplace.”

The first phase came into effect on July 18, when the province announced licensed grocery stores could begin ordering and selling ready-to-drink beverages and large beer pack sizes.

The latest phase became effective on Sept. 5, allowing licensed convenience stores to sell beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. The next phase is set to take effect on Oct. 31, and will include eligible big-box stores.