What to know
- The Ontario government pulled nearly $80-million worth of American alcohol off of LBCO shelves 16 months ago, in March 2025.
- Unlike some other provinces, which have brought back some American liquor to shelves, Ontario has not budged.
- This decision has cost Ontario residents $8 million in taxes. Now Toronto spoke to three Torontonians to gauge their opinions on this issue.
Should Ontarians pay for the province to store American liquor?
Sixteen months ago, Doug Ford’s government pulled nearly $80-million worth of American alcohol from the Liquor Board of Ontario’s (LCBO) shelves, where it has been stored since March 2025. Of the $80 million, the LCBO said $2.6 million worth of liquor has since expired.
Unlike some of the other provinces — Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador — that have returned some of their American alcohol to shelves, and donated profits from purchases to charity, Ontario refuses to budge, nor is the provincial government saying what it plans to do with the unsold liquor.
Meanwhile, stockpiling the liquor isn’t free. It has cost Ontario residents approximately $8 million in taxpayer dollars, according to the LCBO.
Torontonians react
To see how Torontonians feel about their taxes going towards storing American alcohol, Now Toronto took to the streets.
Elek R said he’s not impressed with how the provincial government is choosing to spend taxpayer money, and believes Ford is more concerned with his public image than caring for his constituents.
“It’s very symbolic, but at a certain point, if you’re spending $8 million on symbolism… this is par for the course for this government,” he said.
“They’re more concerned about public relations and how they look to the public, and so they will spend 8 million to make sure no one’s talking about the green belt scandal and being investigated criminally for corruption.”
David M agrees that the symbolism needs to end. He wants Ford to put the stored American liquor back on the shelves to try and recoup some of the $80 million.
“I understood at the time, but costing that much money now doesn’t really seem to make a lot of sense,” he said. “Put it back on the shelves and try to get that money back and use it for something positive.”
Finally, Veruschka Mangru commended Ford on his “elbows up” stance, she doesn’t think Ontarians should be on the hook for his patriotism.
“Doug Ford and his government needs to wake up and come up with some innovative solution so that the general public does not have to sacrifice,” she explained.”
“While the Canadian side of me says yes, 100 per cent, we have to support local, I think they could have done it in a more strategic way.”
