Ontario has confirmed it will not follow Nova Scotia’s lead in selling off stockpiled American alcohol — even as millions of dollars’ worth of U.S. spirits and wine sit in storage, with some products already expiring.
Earlier this year, several provinces, including Ontario, pulled U.S. alcohol from store shelves in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. Popular brands like Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, and many California wines vanished overnight, leaving provincial liquor agencies stuck with massive inventories they could no longer sell.
Nine months later, those warehouses are still full.
Nova Scotia takes action — Ontario refuses
Nova Scotia announced this week it will sell its remaining U.S. alcohol — worth about $14 million — through its government-run liquor stores starting Dec. 1, with profits going to Feed Nova Scotia and other community food programs. Premier Tim Houston said taxpayers had already paid for the stock and it shouldn’t go to waste.
But Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says Ontario won’t do the same.
In an interview with Newstalk 1010, Bethlenfalvy called Nova Scotia’s approach “very positive,” but insisted Ontario will not sell off its own U.S. inventory — roughly $80 million worth. About $2 million of that is already expired.
“We’re steadfast about protecting Ontario workers and businesses,” he said, adding that Ontario will hold firm until a tariff-free or low-tariff deal with the U.S. is reached.
Will the alcohol actually go bad?
The LCBO says high-alcohol spirits can last years — even up to a decade — if kept in low-light, stable environments. But not everything holds up as long:
- Beer, coolers, and ready-to-drink cocktails have the shortest shelf life.
- Lower-alcohol spirits (under 30%) must be refrigerated once opened.
- Some spirits may slowly lose flavour or evaporate depending on storage conditions.
The LCBO says it replaced U.S. products in March with more than 3,000 Canadian-made alternatives, including Ontario wine, cider, beer, and spirits.
Can customers return alcohol?
Unopened alcohol with a receipt can be returned within 30 days.
Open bottles cannot be returned, even if the product is defective.
For now, Ontarians hoping to buy their favourite U.S. brands again — even from aging backroom stock — will be out of luck. The province says its priority remains trade negotiations, not clearing shelves of expiring inventory.