Toronto : Ontario Premier Doug Ford has unequivocally stated that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) will not be privatized, dismissing claims made by the union leader representing LCBO workers as false amidst recent protests outside Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) offices.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Ford emphasized, “We will never, ever sell the LCBO,” condemning what he described as misleading statements by the union leader regarding the closure or sale of the LCBO. “It’s unfortunate their leader is actually misleading, let me be more blunt, lying, about us closing the LCBO. We will never ever close the LCBO.”
The LCBO, a Crown corporation responsible for the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages across Ontario, has been at the center of recent protests by workers demanding an end to what they perceive as the government’s intention to privatize the institution. Petitions were distributed to several government officials, including the premier’s office in Etobicoke.
While the Ford government has announced plans to expand alcohol sales to include up to 8,500 additional stores by 2026, encompassing convenience and big box stores, as well as grocery outlets, the premier has affirmed that this initiative does not entail privatization of the LCBO. The province has stipulated that sales at these new outlets will be limited to beer, wine, cider, coolers, seltzers, and select low-alcohol beverages.
Furthermore, under a new agreement with the province, The Beer Store will retain its role as a major distributor of beer to retailers, bars, and restaurants until at least 2031. The LCBO, meanwhile, will maintain its exclusive rights to distribute spirits such as vodka, gin, and whisky.
While concerns have been raised by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) regarding the potential impact of these changes on jobs and profits, the government has reiterated that privatization of the LCBO is not on the table. Anne Kothawala, President and CEO of the Convenience Industry Council of Canada, emphasized that the objective of these changes is to provide consumers with more options, akin to the diversity available in grocery shopping.
In the midst of bargaining negotiations with the province, OPSEU’s President JP Hornick has vowed to oppose any efforts to sell off the LCBO and safeguard jobs across Ontario. Premier Ford cautioned against disseminating misleading information, expressing concerns that such actions could hinder the bargaining process.