LCBO long weekend strike threat shows it's time for modernized alcohol retailing in Ontario

TORONTO, April 24, 2013 /CNW/ - The Victoria Day long weekend strike deadline by LCBO workers is prompting Ontarians to take a closer look at expanding alcohol retailing in the province, says the Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA). The strike would effectively shut down much of the retail sale of alcohol in the province.

OCSA is encouraging Ontarians to show their support for modernizing Ontario's alcohol retailing system at www.freeourbeer.ca or by signing the OCSA petition, currently in thousands of convenience stores across the province.

"The threat of an LCBO strike highlights the need for Ontario to modernize its system of alcohol retailing - it hasn't changed since 1927 and Ontario consumers are paying the price today," said Dave Bryans, CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. "The LCBO offers a first rate shopping experience, but the prospect of consumers being locked-out because of a union dispute highlights the need to modernize our system and complement what the LCBO does by adding more private retailers.  Convenience stores already sell alcohol at over 200 locations in Ontario and an expanded alcohol retail system would provide consumers with more options and convenience."

Several other Canadian provinces, including Quebec and Newfoundland, operate expanded systems, which sell alcohol in convenience stores as well as through government retail stores.  A similar system in Ontario would enable convenience stores to sell beer and wine alongside the LCBO, providing consumers with longer hours and more retail options, closer to home.

In July 2012, the OCSA delivered a petition to Queen's Park calling on the Ontario Legislature to broaden Ontario's current alcohol retailing system to include convenience stores. The petition collected 112,500 names from 220 communities across the province, making it the largest single petition ever collected in Ontario.

"Ontarians have made their opinions clear: expand alcohol retailing in Ontario," said Bryans. "The threat of this strike has reignited that debate, and makes the need for an updated system much clearer in the public mind."

About OCSA

The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) represents convenience stores throughout the province that are committed to Responsible Community Retailing. The OCSA membership comprises nearly 7,500 of the 11,000 convenience stores in Ontario. The convenience store industry represents $13 billion in sales annually in Ontario and employs over 69,000 people. More than 3 million people visit convenience stores in communities across Ontario every day.

SOURCE: Ontario Convenience Stores Association

John Perenack, [email protected] (quick response), 416-864-7112 x2233