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Ontario thirsty for convenient liquor
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by Rob Peters | July 7, 2008 at 01:53 pm
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Ontario's provincial government says the province isn't ready for alcohol sales at corner stores and other private venues, but many business owners disagree, saying a competitive system would be cheaper and more convenient for consumers.
My two cents (opinion): We have a similarly strict system in BC, and I think having such tightly-controlled liquor policies creates a sense of taboo surrounding alcohol that is actually more harmful than helpful. When alcohol is hard to purchase and banned in public, people have the attitude that drinking opportunities ought to be maximized, thus leading to bouts of heavy drinking when and where it is allowed, whereas more availability normalizes moderate liquor consumption and promotes a more European attitude toward it. That is, fewer backyard beer bongs and more wine sipping in the park.
How is the sale of liquor regulated where you live? Should it be sold at corner stores?
Is there a better way to sell beer?
That's a question that some corner stores, small brewers and bar owners have asked repeatedly over the years.
Each time, the provincial government, which is responsible for alcohol sales, has said no.
Citing concerns about public health and safety, governments of the day have repeatedly endorsed the current structure.
"It's much easier for us to maintain security through the (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) and The Beer Store than to give that power to thousands of convenience stores," Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said on April 3 last year in response to a private member's bill proposing the sale of beer and wine through corner stores.
When Progressive Conservative leader John Tory raised the idea during last fall's election campaign of testing corner store sales, McGuinty again backed the current structure.
"It's really tough if you are under age in Ontario to buy wine or beer or liquor through the LCBO or Beer Store," the premier said. "It's a good system."
On Friday, a spokesperson for Finance Minister Dwight Duncan confirmed that is still the government's view.
The report, which also looked at wine and spirits, said the government could raise an extra $200 million a year from beer sales alone by auctioning off licences to different retailers, who would compete for the business.
The system would be more open, flexible and convenient for consumers, the panel concluded.
The government could restrict the number of stores and their hours, and also retain the current $24-a-case minimum price, to discourage excessive drinking. And it could focus on enforcing existing laws preventing the sale of booze to minors.
The government said the public wasn't ready.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (15)
at 14:19 on July 7th, 2008
Vancouver suffers from confining many of its clubs & pubs to a centralized, downtown core, a system that I agree encourages heavy drinking. As much as corner store booze sales would help to normalize and moderate alcohol consumption though, I think it would be a tough sell to the B.C. government.
at 19:13 on July 8th, 2008
Panama City Liquor Store
chidleypop has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:42 on July 8th, 2008
A liquor corner of some random "combini" (Japanese name for a convenience store) in Tokyo.
maria.kharitonova has contributed a photo to this story.
at 20:02 on July 8th, 2008
Rob Peters, I like this story. It's good stuff. It will never fly as special Interest groups would squeal like stuck Pigs that they are "But What About the Children??""" "Please, for God's sake think of the Children"!!! Stores near schools certainly would be the target of protests by Colon tasters, who in all liklihood mandated cigarettes be hidden behind shower curtains in neighbourhood stores, out of sight, out of mind they say. To That I say, you are certainly out of your Friggin Mind ~! Besides the government make good coin out of their government retail outlets, why should they stop? Of course why the government ever got into the booze business is beyond me? Illegal hooch is everywhere, as are cheap smokes smuggled from reserves.
at 21:22 on July 8th, 2008
Heading back to Los Angeles I came across this liquor store in Needles, CA . I was returning from Shiprock, New Mexico after reuniting with a Marine Corps buddy I hadn't seen for 20 years.
I couldn't resist taking a photo of this liquor store. Nor could I resist getting me a little something for my motel stay for night. The last time I tried Everclear(195 proof) I was a young Marine. A dual 20 year reunion you might say.
moxie blues has contributed a photo to this story.
at 22:05 on July 8th, 2008
I don't drink anymore for reasons of misremembering
at 22:06 on July 8th, 2008
MOxie 195 proof? And you can still see? you're a better man than I, I have only gotten up to around 150 proof, and that was Newfie Screech! That's two dayts I'll never get back, when the German Politzi have to take you to the Dutch border for the MPs to take you back to the base with all of your blitzed friends, they all said I had a good time apparently. That was my first and last binge in the mid 80s.
at 22:33 on July 8th, 2008
I think Ontario has the opportunity to be a very interesting test case. It would be that whole "power/responsibility" thing.
If they decide to make alcohol more readily available to the consumer, it would be a wise decision (and an interesting one) to step up public education regarding intoxication, health implications, criminal issues, and addiction. This campaign would have to be quite clever and almost subtle. If it were to try and ram this information down people's throats, it would simply be ignored. The mission isn't to demonize alcohol, but to accurately depict it. A high class party in an advertising campaign with pretty models and the "Drink responsibly" slogan isn't really cutting it in the world.
Because this relates to "corner stores", driving while under the influence should be a main point to be "driven home" so to speak. There are still people who think you can take 30 shots of vodka in 30 minutes and not suffer adverse reactions from it. People still think they can drink ten beers and drive because it's "just beer".
at 05:33 on July 9th, 2008
Just took a great photo. However, I have to admit that I miss being able to buy my gin at the grocery store (read good sales) in California. I took this photo in Cambridge, MA and am finding booze here quite expensive.
My Lil' Rotten has contributed a photo to this story.
at 07:00 on July 9th, 2008
I live in Minnesota, so going to this "Beer Store" in Ontario was different from any other liquor store I had ever been to. The beer is all in a back room, and the employees go get it for you when you tell them what you want! Also, customers can bring back empties. That doesn't exist at home. It should!
MTrain14 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 11:44 on July 9th, 2008
This street in Fresno, California has numerous "quickee" liquor stores. After living other places in the country that has more control over liquor distrubition I really haven't seen an increase in alcohol consumption in California. Bottom Line: If you want a beer you will find one!
RichardGeorge has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:16 on July 9th, 2008
Photo taken in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2008.
powerica has contributed a photo to this story.
at 13:13 on July 10th, 2008
Favorite liquor store
ezthorson has contributed a photo to this story.
at 07:48 on July 12th, 2008
In the town of Oshkosh, WI, this is one of the few corner Liquor Stores left. It has been family owned since it opened, and continues to be to this day.
Picworld has contributed a photo to this story.
at 22:57 on July 12th, 2008
A privately owned liquor store in Los Angeles, California. In my opinion, government controlled liquor stores don't prevent people from behaving irresponsibly.
npdxbear has contributed a photo to this story.