The closure of 12 more Beer Store locations across Ontario, including several in Toronto, has sparked anger and concern among workers and communities, with many accusing Premier Doug Ford of abandoning a loyal workforce under the guise of “modernization.”
In a letter to the editor, one reader condemned the government’s shifting stance, pointing out that Ford once campaigned as “Buck-a-Beer Doug” but has now mandated that, starting January 1, 2026, every retailer selling alcohol must recycle beer and wine bottles. The policy shift, the writer argues, comes at the expense of Beer Store employees whose jobs are disappearing as stores shut down one after another.
“For decades, the Beer Store has provided reliable service, well-paying jobs and an efficient deposit-return system that benefits both consumers and the environment,” the letter states. “Now, these good jobs are being sacrificed in the name of so-called ‘modernization.’ This isn’t modernization — it’s abandonment of a workforce that has served this province faithfully.”
The closures are being framed not as an economic evolution but as a political betrayal, with workers and their families left in limbo. Critics warn that Ontario is risking both employment and a proven recycling program, all while eroding consumer trust.
The letter calls on Ontarians to demand action from their MPPs to protect the livelihoods of Beer Store workers. “Ontario jobs should not be treated as disposable,” the writer urges, pressing the Ford government to live up to its repeated promises to defend employment across the province.