Ontarians can start purchasing alcohol at convenience stores across the province starting this Thursday.
This is part of Premier Doug Ford’s plan to expedite the process of having alcoholic beverages available at grocery stores, convenience and big-box stores.
The first step of the rollout began in July when ready-to-drink beverages and large beer pack sizes became available at 450 grocery stores. The next step comes this week as convenience stores prepare to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails as of Sept. 5. Licensed convenience stores will be permitted to sell alcohol between 7 a.m and 11 p.m, seven days a week.
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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) began its application process for new and existing convenience and grocery stores in Ontario to apply for alcohol retail licences on June 17. As of Sept. 2, the AGCO has approved 4,180 convenience store licences in Ontario, as well as 159 grocery store licences as of Aug. 26.
The organization says most of the licences issued have been to businesses that were already approved to sell lottery, liquor, or groceries by the AGCO.
Additionally, the organization says it is increasing its compliance methods, including business inspections.
The province also released an interactive map to help residents locate all stores, besides LCBO, that sell alcohol. The map was aimed to help people amid the LCBO strike, back in July.
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The LCBO strike saw thousands of workers represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) walk off the job on July 5 and led to the closure of hundreds of LCBO stores in Ontario. The strike lasted more than two weeks before both sides could reach a deal.
The final step of Ford’s plan will see all grocery stores, convenience and big-box stores sell alcohol after Oct. 31.
