669 Liquor Stores Are Shutting Down in Ontario — Here’s Why

Unionized Employees at the Canadian government’s Liquor Control Board in Ontario appear to be going on strike, leading to the closure of 669 liquor stores in the province. (Photo by Gado/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

Bloomberg reported that for the first time in its 97-year history, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario is going on strike. The news comes after 10,000 unionized employees failed to reach a deal. Job insecurity is a major concern of the union as the government changes the liquor landscape. The strike is leading to the closure of 669 liquor stores in the province.

The LCBO shared it will shut down all retail stores for two weeks. It will then reopen 30 stores for three days a week, reducing their hours. LCBO has somewhat of a monopoly on the liquor landscape in Ontario. For a significant period, it was the only place Canadians could purchase alcohol in Ontario.

But what exactly does this mean for Canadians living in Ontario? Does it mean those living in the province won’t be able to buy alcohol all summer long?

CTV News Toronto shared a map with 2,300 liquor stores in the province not affected by the strike. The interactive map will help serve as an aid to thirsty Canadians as LCBO’s unionized employees attempt to work things out.

“This new map is a great way to connect people across the province to local Ontario-made products and support the hundreds of Ontario businesses and thousands of Ontario workers who make these products and serve customers each and every day,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.

The union representing the striking workers, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, claimed the breaking point was the government’s attempt to allow private businesses in the region to sell alcohol causing competition and concerns about job insecurity.

The National Post reported that 97% of workers voted in favor of a strike action and workers want the government to reverse the initiative of allowing liquor sales in grocery stores.

“We see the writing on the wall,” OPSEU’s liquor board chair Colleen MacLeod said in a statement. “Under Ford’s plan, we could lose thousands, thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in public revenues. We said that to the employer and you know what they said back? ‘We can’t guarantee your future.’ Tonight, Ford’s dry summer begins.”

A Series of Troubles for the LCBO

In May, one of the more prominent Canadian importers, Spirits Canada, expressed its discontent with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. It said the government-run liquor shop was claiming taxes on spirits sold in 2023. It also alleged Quebec received products at a lower cost.

The “punishing” bill would stiff liquor suppliers like Diageo and Bacardi out of millions of dollars.

Ontario possesses different liquor policies than Quebec. The province is known for raising its prices year over year.

LCBO shared its reasoning was that residents of Ontario pay as much as $40 more than other provinces for certain liquor products. It additionally countered that Spirits Canada’s pricing was harming its customers.

As for the strike, Ontario’s Finance Minister, Peter Bethlenfalvy, shared his thoughts in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter:

“We are disappointed by OPSEU’s decision to walk away from the bargaining table hours before their deadline, initiating a strike and causing inconvenience for people across Ontario. We are particularly disappointed that OPSEU is opposed to giving consumers in Ontario the choice and convenience of buying ready-made drinks, like coolers and seltzers in grocery and convenience stores. We are more committed than ever to fulfilling our promise of choice and convenience by expanding access to beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages in convenience, grocery and big-box stores startingl ater this summer.”

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