TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Government has announced that it is inviting residents and businesses to “share their views on how beverage alcohol choice and convenience can be increased in the province.”
The Progressive Conservative government made modernization of Ontario’s alcohol retailing system a key part of its platform in the election that put them into power earlier this year, and according to yesterday’s announcement, it is asking for public input in certain key areas including:
- Improving the rules for how beer, cider, wine and spirits are sold and consumed
- Allowing new types of stores, including corner stores and big-box stores, and more grocery stores, to sell these products
- Creating more opportunities for private sector sellers and distributors
- Ensuring communities are kept safe and healthy.
A dedicated webpage has been set up for individuals and business representatives over the age of 19 to provide feedback before February 1st, 2019. In addition, the government will be “inviting key groups to participate in roundtable discussions to ensure their valuable advice helps inform this review, including those representing beverage alcohol producers, public health and safety organizations, retailers, municipalities, consumer groups, and restaurants and bars.”
For more details, see the full announcement on the Ontario Government website.