Thousands of workers with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario walked off the job on Friday, June 5th after negotiations between the employer and their union failed to produce a new deal, launching the first such labour disruption in the organization’s history. Stores could remain closed for at least two weeks.
This morning (June 8th), the Ontario Government launched a searchable map to locate retailers that remain open during the ongoing OPSEU strike, and sells beer, wine, cider, spirits or ready-to-drink beverages. These retailers include more than 1,000 local Ontario breweries, wineries, wine shops and distilleries, in addition to other retailers such as LCBO Convenience Outlets, The Beer Store and licenced grocery stores that sell a range of Ontario-made and imported products.
“This new map is a great way to connect people across the province to local Ontario-made products and support the hundreds of Ontario businesses and thousands of Ontario workers who make these products and serve customers each and every day,” said Premier Doug Ford. “It also supports our plan to offer consumers the kind of choice and convenience available to other Canadians when purchasing alcoholic beverages, starting later this summer. I hope people across the province will take this chance to shop local and responsibly enjoy some great Ontario-made products!”
The map will be updated regularly as alcohol sales are expanded to more licensed grocery and convenience stores. As LCBO retail stores re-open, these will also be added to the map.
“Our government is delivering on its commitment to expand the province’s beverage alcohol retail marketplace to increase choice and convenience for shoppers earlier than planned,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Ontario can rest assured there are more options to purchase than ever before, thanks to the government’s bold plan to modernize alcohol sales.”
As announced in May 2024, Ontario is expanding the province’s alcohol beverage marketplace in phases to allow convenience, grocery and big-box grocery stores to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, such as coolers, hard seltzers or other premixed cocktails.
Starting in August, existing grocery retailers that currently sell wine or beer will be able to sell new products like coolers and other ready-to-drink beverages alongside more pack sizes of beer. This will be followed by new retailers being able to sell an increased selection of local, domestic and international alcohol products in a safe and responsible manner. By the end of October 2024, every eligible convenience, grocery and big-box store in Ontario will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages if they choose to do so.
In a news release the government said it will continue to work closely with the LCBO, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and The Beer Store, while consulting and meeting with industry partners, local beverage alcohol producers and other stakeholders as it prepares to launch this new marketplace.
To use the searchable map click here.
