Ford won’t budge on plan to have ready-to-drink cocktails sold in corner stores

Ontario will not budge on its plan to have ready-to-drink cocktails sold at convenience and grocery stores across the province, Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday on the issue that has become a sticking point in an ongoing strike by liquor store workers.

Workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario went on strike last week, an action their union says is about Ford’s plans to expand alcohol sales rather than wages.

Grocery stores that already sell beer and wine will be able to sell ready-to-drink cocktails starting Aug. 1, and convenience stores can start selling beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails, also called RTD, on Sept. 5.

“RTD is off the table,” Ford said. “Let me be very clear: it’s done, it’s gone, that ship has sailed and it’s halfway across Lake Ontario.”

Previous rounds of alcohol market expansion in Ontario have kept spirits sales in the hands of the LCBO.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

But it believes that the next step in alcohol expansion will threaten their workers’ jobs and the LCBO’s existence.

Ford urged OPSEU to get back to bargaining.

“The quicker we get back to the table, the quicker we’re going to be able to move forward with those three issues, benefits, salaries and job security,” he said.

The union said Tuesday that no talks are planned. They are waiting for the mediator to call them back to the table.

The LCBO said it did not want a strike and remains committed to reaching a deal.

“The most constructive thing OPSEU could do is respond to the offer we tabled last week,” the LCBO said in a statement.

The union has stepped up its actions during the strike by picketing LCBO warehouses and distribution centres, significantly slowing down delivery trucks arriving to stock up.

The LCBO brings in a net income of $2.5 billion to the public’s coffers annually, which is then used by the province on services such as health care and education.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2024.

[SheCat]

I lived In Alberta when they went private. At the time it made things better. Private people opened more businesses and made money. Wages were better for workers. Some of the places stayed open till after bars closed. It gave the money making back to the people and not the government. Do these workers know the amount of money they could make, if they opened their own?

[k.s.]

Why is CHCH not reporting on Kroetschs attempt to get an unelected seat added to city council?

[andygrenn]

RTD not another awful acronym to hear…RTD!

[bestfamily]

I think this strike sunk the workers chances.

[mark_beastpriest]

The Union is the problem, not the workers. Strike pay sucks.

[SalPerez-iomz]

Stay strong Ford, you are fighting for our drinking freedoms. Im surviving on beer and wine right now, but Im willing to wait for my freedoms.

[waterbottle]

I never loved rain as much as today. Enjoy the rain strikers.

[TomRentz-nd]

The lcbo has the crappiest union in canada the union like all government union work for the government not the folks paying union dues bob ray proved that when the government privatized the mto back in the 90s good luck to you picketers no one had the mtos back they sure wont have yours but best of luck to you just the same

[lawrencerobles]

I really don’t get this. Why is this even a public company. It should be private.

[evettehodgkinson]

Ontario you need to find out exactly what the strike is really about. Did you know that right now staff can be called in for a 2 hour shift? They do not have benefits or job security! Most of the staff is part time or casual.
If alcohol is allowed to be sold in corner stores did you realize that our kids, under 18, will not be able to have employment there! Must be over 18 to sell alcohol!
Think people before you listen to Mr. Ford

[michaelanderson]

The Province of Ontario should implement Right to Work legislation & universal tariffs = lots of manufacturing jobs.

[midnightorchid]

The LCBO generated over 2.5 BILLION dollars to help fund things like education, and healthcare. People are without doctors in this country, myself included, and all the drunks care about is themselves. Ford included. Imagine sitting on fellow people of Ontario for just wanting to make a living and feed their family, put a roof over their heads, pay the bills. What, because they don't own their own company they don't matter? They are people try to make it just like the business owner. I support the LCBO, education, and heathcare more then I do supporting Doug Fords buddies.

[tinomoc]

Alcohol should not be sold in gas stations where u can drink and drive or at Loblaws.