Let's talk: Ontario's restaurant industry supports PC initiative to discuss LCBO

TORONTO, Dec. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - Ontario's $24-billion restaurant industry applauds the Progressive Conservative (PC) party for starting a long-overdue discussion about the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

"We need to stop burying our heads in the sand when it comes to LCBO reform," says Stephanie Jones, Vice President Ontario for the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA). "It's high time changes were made to ensure Ontarians get the most value for their money."

A history of inaction
CRFA notes that despite the identification of flaws in the system, changes have not been made. For example:

• the Auditor General recognized the need for reform; and
• the Liberal party's review identified improvements to open the beverage alcohol system while contributing more revenue to the provincial government.

In both cases, no action was taken.

"Even though Ontario's 30,000 restaurants are the LCBO's largest customer, selection and wholesale pricing are unavailable to them," says Jones. "Distribution decisions are determined without their input, and instead based on an outdated bureaucracy. Do you know any other business that operates this way and survives? This is a non-partisan issue. The LCBO needs to be held accountable to its customers."

Work with us
Ontario's restaurants employ more than 400,000 people and are a key economic engine for the province. CRFA is calling on all parties to establish policy that truly demonstrates their vision for the Ontario restaurant industry. CRFA looks forward to participating in discussions on LCBO reform with all parties.

CRFA is one of Canada's largest business associations, with more than 30,000 members representing restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other foodservice providers. Canada's $65-billion restaurant industry employs more than 1.1 million people in communities across the country.

SOURCE: Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association

Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, CRFA Communications, 1-800-387-5649, ext. 4254 or [email protected].