Big Changes Have Been Proposed for Alcohol Sales in Mississauga

By

Published December 13, 2018 at 8:11 pm

booze

If there’s one thing the newly-elected PC government cares a lot about, it’s booze.

And thankfully for those who like to imbibe from time to time, Doug Ford is still working to ensure wine, beer, cider and spirits are easier to come by (and, in the case of beer, cheaper).

Now, the government is moving forward on its plan to potentially allow liquor to be sold in corner stores by launching consultations with residents and business owners.

The government has also mentioned opening up alcohol sales to the private sector.

“Our plan has been clear when it comes to expanding options for the sale and consumption of beverage alcohol in Ontario. Today, we are moving forward on the promise to improve customer convenience and choice and enable more opportunities for businesses,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Finance.

The Ontario government says it wants input on a number of areas, including:

  • Improving the rules for how beer, cider, wine and spirits are sold and consumed
  • Allowing new types of stores, including corner stores and big-box stores, and more grocery stores, to sell these products
  • Creating more opportunities for private sector sellers and distributors
  • Ensuring communities are kept safe and healthy.

The province says the first phase of the review includes a public consultation to provide consumers and businesses with the opportunity to share their views on altering/expanding the ways in which alcohol is sold in Ontario.

Although the previous government relaxed liquor laws by allowing select grocers to sell wine, beer and cider, corner stores can not yet carry alcohol.

Since taking office, the PCs have allowed the Beer Store, LCBO and other authorized retail outlets to sell alcohol from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week.

The government also, most famously, brought back buck-a-beer in the summer.

Businesses and consumers over the legal drinking age of 19 are invited to share their views by clicking here and providing input no later than February 1, 2019.

The government says it will be inviting key groups to participate in roundtable discussions, including those representing beverage alcohol producers, public health and safety organizations, retailers, municipalities, consumer groups, and restaurants and bars.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising