Ontario consumers will soon be able to purchase beer, wine, and coolers at convenience stores and large box stores.
Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday that up to 8,500 new stores will be allowed to sell alcohol by 2026, fulfilling a long-term campaign promise first made by the Progressive Conservative Party during the 2018 election campaign.
"There's no reason why Ontario consumers shouldn't enjoy the same convenient shopping experience as Canadians in every province when buying wine for a holiday party or a case of beer or soda on the way to their cabin," Ford said in a statement. ”
Starting in January 2026 at the latest, individuals will be able to purchase beer, wine, cider, iced drinks, sodas, and "other low-alcohol, ready-to-drink beverages" at convenience stores.
Officials said that includes all convenience stores, including, of course, convenience stores at gas stations. These retailers must follow the same rules set by the Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission, which states that retailers can sell alcohol between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., regardless of business hours.
Spirits such as vodka, gin, and whiskey will continue to be sold exclusively at LCBO. The Ontario government will not renew agreements with The Beer Store owners, which prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in other stores — except for the 450 grocery stores across the province. The Master Framework Agreement, originally signed in 2015, will expire on 31 December 2025.
The Ford administration had previously tried to cancel the deal with The Beer Store, but gave up after learning that breaking the deal could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
The government says The Beer Store will still sell beer in new competitive markets and will remain the main beer distributor for retailers, bars and restaurants until at least 2031.
Under this agreement, they will be able to set their own distribution fees as well as minimum delivery quantities for orders placed by retailers. It will also maintain its recycling and storage program. Officials said the government will continue to consult with owners about the future of these projects after the new agreement expires in five years.
Ontario will also end the monopoly of beer shops on the sale of large packages of beer. All retailers can now sell 12-pack, 24-pack, or 30-pack.
Although the minimum pricing policy is still in effect, all private retailers will introduce competitive pricing. Officials noted that LCBO stores must maintain consistent pricing across the province.
The province noted that they expect some LCBO stores to lose out on sales to private retailers, but they will remain the exclusive wholesale supplier to all retail outlets, bars and restaurants that sell alcohol. While officials say the province's smart service requirements will remain the same, there are few details about the licensing process for private retailers.
Details have not yet been provided on how much these changes will cost the government. The Beer Store's CEO said in a statement that he looks forward to "the next phase of The Beer Store's development."
"For nearly a century, The Beer Store has been serving the people of Ontario through its world-class distribution, recycling, and retail network," said Roy Benin.
"With today's announcement, we look forward to the next phase of The Beer Store's development, where our role as a major distributor, recycling manager and responsible retailer will be retained and ready to grow. ”
Promoting the growth of Ontario producers The province has announced a series of "transitional and time-bound" support for local liquor producers, including the expansion of dedicated shelf space in all new craft retailers.
The Progressive Conservative Party will also strengthen the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wine support program in the coming years, directing the LCBO to promote and prioritize products made in Ontario, establishing a wine and grape industry sector table, and introducing legislation.
Microbrewers will also have more flexibility in their own distribution. They can choose to go through The Beer Store or they can take care of the circulation themselves. An additional $10 million will be spent over five years to support "public health efforts to ensure that alcohol continues to be safely sold and consumed in an expanded market."