Last call for the LCBO
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Last call for the LCBO
by growler Wed Nov 06, 2013 4:42 pm
The issue of liberalizing alcohol sales in Ontario has flickered with varying degrees of intensity for the past 30 years.
Former Premier David Peterson promised but failed to deliver on wider availability following the 1985 election. Since then, the question has never really gone away.
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association put it back on the front burner last year when it collected 112,500 signatures on a petition demanding an end to the Liquor Control Board’s monopoly. The McGuinty government dismissed it. However, sensing a winning issue, Progressive Conservatives under Tim Hudak have promised to liberalize liquor sales if they form the next government. That could come as early as next spring.
The Wynne government maintains that we need the LCBO to ensure alcohol does not fall into the hands of minors and inebriates. This position, however, has come into question since Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia did away with their monopolies and made alcohol generally available. Lo and behold, chaos has not descended on these provinces. The longer they demonstrate what is possible, the more difficult it becomes to defend the status quo.
The government’s argument that we can’t trust private retailers to sell alcohol responsibly is insulting and doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Retailers could be certified and licensed. And we could expect them to guard that licence fiercely. Those abusing the concession would lose their licence and thus a reliable source of income. In today’s retail environment, that could quite possibly cost a store owner his livelihood.
In Norfolk, we have more reason today than ever to support greater availability thanks to the LCBO’s arrogant decision to pull up stakes in downtown Simcoe and relocate to the Queensway East. In February, it will move from a high-traffic, 7,500-square-foot floor plate downtown to a slightly larger store at the Walmart mall.
What the LCBO hopes to accomplish with this move is difficult to discern. The store in the Culver Street parking lot has been there for more than 50 years. Since its inception, service and selection have never been an issue. Indeed, the move to the highway is arguably a big waste of our money.
When the LCBO announced its intentions last year, it dismissed Simcoe’s provincially-mandated and approved official plan, one that says this kind of retailing belongs in the core. Unconvincingly, the LCBO argued there was no suitable location for an expansion downtown. It’s our way and the highway, the LCBO told Norfolk council. Contrary to Simcoe’s official plan, the LCBO has acted with complete disregard for the consequences of its actions on the downtown. Apparently rules and regulations governing new development in Norfolk are for the little people.
In any event, we shouldn’t even be having this discussion. The Wynne government opposes the sale of beer, liquor and wine in corner stores. Yet we already have this in the form of “agency stores.” There is a well-run agency store in Jarvis and another in Turkey Point. They are private retailers like any other. Why do they have the privilege and not others?
To add insult to injury, the LCBO was asked if an agency store or two could be established in downtown Simcoe to compensate for its pending loss. The answer is no, for this is contrary to the LCBO’s policy on surrogate stores. It’s as if maximum damage to the core is the objective here. For these affronts and more, let’s hope this fusty relic of another time passes into history with the next election
m sonnenburg must own a store downtown the way he is writing about the store moving out of the antique location it is now ?
downtown retailers have cost so much in legal fee's in the last 50 or so years trying to make everyone build downtown that it is almost ridiculous.
lawyers and engineering firms have made truckloads of money at all of those municipal board hearings in Toronto fighting everyone wanting to build on the Queensway.
even the reformer his article is in moved out of downtown, saying it was to restrictive for them.
why not move the reformer back into the former LCBO site if he is that worried ?
Former Premier David Peterson promised but failed to deliver on wider availability following the 1985 election. Since then, the question has never really gone away.
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association put it back on the front burner last year when it collected 112,500 signatures on a petition demanding an end to the Liquor Control Board’s monopoly. The McGuinty government dismissed it. However, sensing a winning issue, Progressive Conservatives under Tim Hudak have promised to liberalize liquor sales if they form the next government. That could come as early as next spring.
The Wynne government maintains that we need the LCBO to ensure alcohol does not fall into the hands of minors and inebriates. This position, however, has come into question since Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia did away with their monopolies and made alcohol generally available. Lo and behold, chaos has not descended on these provinces. The longer they demonstrate what is possible, the more difficult it becomes to defend the status quo.
The government’s argument that we can’t trust private retailers to sell alcohol responsibly is insulting and doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Retailers could be certified and licensed. And we could expect them to guard that licence fiercely. Those abusing the concession would lose their licence and thus a reliable source of income. In today’s retail environment, that could quite possibly cost a store owner his livelihood.
In Norfolk, we have more reason today than ever to support greater availability thanks to the LCBO’s arrogant decision to pull up stakes in downtown Simcoe and relocate to the Queensway East. In February, it will move from a high-traffic, 7,500-square-foot floor plate downtown to a slightly larger store at the Walmart mall.
What the LCBO hopes to accomplish with this move is difficult to discern. The store in the Culver Street parking lot has been there for more than 50 years. Since its inception, service and selection have never been an issue. Indeed, the move to the highway is arguably a big waste of our money.
When the LCBO announced its intentions last year, it dismissed Simcoe’s provincially-mandated and approved official plan, one that says this kind of retailing belongs in the core. Unconvincingly, the LCBO argued there was no suitable location for an expansion downtown. It’s our way and the highway, the LCBO told Norfolk council. Contrary to Simcoe’s official plan, the LCBO has acted with complete disregard for the consequences of its actions on the downtown. Apparently rules and regulations governing new development in Norfolk are for the little people.
In any event, we shouldn’t even be having this discussion. The Wynne government opposes the sale of beer, liquor and wine in corner stores. Yet we already have this in the form of “agency stores.” There is a well-run agency store in Jarvis and another in Turkey Point. They are private retailers like any other. Why do they have the privilege and not others?
To add insult to injury, the LCBO was asked if an agency store or two could be established in downtown Simcoe to compensate for its pending loss. The answer is no, for this is contrary to the LCBO’s policy on surrogate stores. It’s as if maximum damage to the core is the objective here. For these affronts and more, let’s hope this fusty relic of another time passes into history with the next election
m sonnenburg must own a store downtown the way he is writing about the store moving out of the antique location it is now ?
downtown retailers have cost so much in legal fee's in the last 50 or so years trying to make everyone build downtown that it is almost ridiculous.
lawyers and engineering firms have made truckloads of money at all of those municipal board hearings in Toronto fighting everyone wanting to build on the Queensway.
even the reformer his article is in moved out of downtown, saying it was to restrictive for them.
why not move the reformer back into the former LCBO site if he is that worried ?
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