Backbencher wants wine, beer sold at convenience stores

TORONTO —Ontario would be able to sell the province’s wine and beer in its corner stores if a Liberal backbencher from Niagara Falls has his way. Opposition critics say it’s a cheap ploy to placate Ontario wine-makers which could put more booze in the hands of minors, but Kim Craitor said the private members bill he’s introducing today would raise the profile of Ontario producers and help some 3,000 convenience stores if it became law. It’s no different than the system in Quebec—where alcohol is sold at corner stores—or the small LCBO outlets currently operating out of small convenience stores in northern and rural Ontario, Craitor added. “They’ve been doing it in Quebec for many, many years and haven’t had any difficulty,” he remarked. “It appears to be a good opportunity. “For some of the small wineries, it’s another point of access where they can sell besides the LCBO.” Convenience stores would have strict controls in place and be staffed by trained employees, Craitor said. But they would be very convenient for wine and beer drinkers—all the while giving profile to Ontario products, he added. “The bill will get a feeling from the public if there is an interest and generate some conversation about this possibility.” David Caplan, the minister responsible for the LCBO, said he’s not that interested in having the conversation. “Ideas like this have been floated previously. I don’t think this is a road we want to go down,” he said, without elaborating. “I don’t support the privatization of the LCBO and seeing that function go into other venues.” Premier Dalton McGuinty said the recent lottery scandal shows corner stores shouldn’t get the power to sell Ontario wine and micro-beer. He noted that power should remain in the hands of trained professionals at the LCBO and the Beer Store. McGuinty said the recent lottery scandal—where lottery winnings were claimed by an inordinate number of shop clerks—shows the danger of giving thousands of clerks too much power. But Conservative Bob Runicman said the LCBO agency stores—which are located in rural convenience stores—show shop clerks can be trusted to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors. In 1985, the previous Liberal government, under then-premier David Peterson, promised to make alcohol available in convenience stores but backed away from the idea once elected. Quebec has long made alcohol available in corner stores while Alberta has a system of privatized liquour stores. British Columbia allows private merchants to sell beer and wine alongside province-run stores. But without the support of government, Craitor’s bill has little chance of becoming law since private member’s bills rarely pass through the legislature without government support.