TORONTO, ON – A bill introduced in the Ontario Legislature earlier this week that would have allowed breweries in the province to sell each others products is likely to die on the order paper due to a snap election that is expected in June.
Introduced by Todd Smith, MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings as a private member’s bill, the Raise a Glass to Ontario Act would have amended the Liquor Control Act of Ontario to allow the following:
1. A manufacturer of beer or cider may sell, in stores it owns and operates, its own beer or cider as well as that of other manufacturers of beer or cider.
2. A manufacturer of spirits or wine may sell, in stores it owns and operates, its own spirits or wine as well as that of other manufacturers of the same type of liquor.
3. A liquor manufacturer may transport and deliver for sale its own liquor, as well as that of other manufacturers, and may warehouse or store its own liquor in a warehouse that is separate from its manufacturing facility.
4. A designated manufacturers’ association may transport and deliver for sale and may warehouse any manufacturer’s liquor.
The bill was carried through First Reading, but as with all open bills, it will be killed if the government falls and an election is called – a scenario that appears inevitable given that the Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats have both announced that they will not be supporting the budget introduced yesterday by the ruling Liberals.