Ontarians can now find and purchase alcohol with the help of an interactive map amid the LCBO strike.
In a video message posted on X on Monday, Premier Doug Ford announced the release of the tech tool that allows Ontario residents to locate stores, other than the LCBO, selling alcohol.
“Our new interactive map shows thousands of convenient options where you can still buy beer, wine, spirits and other drinks across the province.”
The release of the map comes days after LCBO workers walked off the job prompting province-wide closures of the government-run liquor store.
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“Even though LCBO workers are on strike there’s still plenty of options,” Ford says in the video.
The map shows what stores are open and what products they sell, including local breweries and wineries as well as LCBO convenience options that remain open.
The announcement is stirring up angry reactions from many residents and city officials, who accused Ford of union busting and failing to address pressing socio-economic issues.
“While the Ford government wastes billions of tax dollars, schools need fixing, hospital wait times need attention, cities need support for transit, services & infrastructure, the science centre needs saving and people struggle to make ends meet. Yet, this guy’s priority is beer,” Councillor Josh Matlow wrote on X on Monday.
“You’re using public dollars to break a strike, undermine workers rights and to destroy an agency that generates $2.5 billion for healthcare and other services. But this app looks cute. Why didn’t you use this kind of tech to save lives from COVID19 or to find ERs,” one X user wrote.
“Can I get a map of where I can find emergency clinics that are open?,” another person said.
“All this government cares about is alcohol, not education, not healthcare, not housing…alcohol,” someone else wrote.
“They rolled out that interactive map pretty damn fast. I guess he can be efficient when it really matters,” another person commented.
After Sept. 5, Ontarians will be able to buy alcoholic drinks at participating convenience, grocery and big box stores throughout the province.
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But figures obtained by CBC from the Ministry of Finance show the province is facing a net revenue loss of $150 to $200 million per year as a result of the change in booze sale regulations.
In addition, the provincial government is set to pay The Beer Store up to $225 million to help with a “stable transition to a more open and convenient marketplace,” it said in a news release in May.
Last December, the government said it would also provide an additional $10 million over five years to support social responsibility and public health efforts to ensure alcohol continues to be sold and consumed safely in the expanded marketplace.
