The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has scrapped plans to open 32 locations for in-store shopping beginning July 19 as retail workers continue their strike across the province.
LCBO said it has been fulfilling online shopping orders within a week and, “because of this success” it will instead use its personnel “to further enhance support for bars, restaurants, and other businesses.”
“This pivot means that we will be able to improve how we serve Ontario bars and restaurants to help increase product selection, availability, and expedited delivery,” the statement reads, noting that more details will be shared directly with those customers.
“This means LCBO retail stores will no longer be open for the duration of the strike.”
Negotiations
Talks between the workers’ union and the LCBO have broken off as the province and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) continue to disagree over the expansion of alcohol sales in Ontario.The government’s decision to allow the sale of coolers and other ready-to-drink beverages in convenience, grocery, and big-box stores later this summer has been the main sticking point between the two sides.
While the union is accusing the province of allowing profits that traditionally went to the LCBO to be given to corporations and private owners, the government maintains the decision is a matter of public policy.
The union, however, has said the plan to open up alcohol sales is central to negotiations, saying it will “threaten thousands of jobs” and provincial revenues.
Provincial Plans
Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s office said on July 5 that the province is “more committed than ever” to expanding access to beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages in convenience, grocery, and big-box stores “starting later this summer.”Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford recently endorsed the province’s online tool to help consumers find alternatives to strike-bound LCBO stores.
Ford’s government is calling it “the largest expansion of consumer choice and convenience since the end of prohibition almost 100 years ago.”
Ontario currently has the lowest density of alcohol retail stores in Canada. That will change under the province’s plan, putting Ontario in the No. 3 spot for liquor retailers across the country.