About

The LCBO and the Beer Store, both founded 1927, are arcane institutions that have no place in today’s world. Originally founded out of a puritan belief that all alcohol consumption was wicked, these two monopolies have controlled the warehousing, distribution, and retail of alcohol in Ontario ever since.

We believe that in today’s world, individuals do not need their consumption habits to be dictated by government institutions. People should be free to buy the sorts of alcohol they want, from the outlets they choose, when they desire. Producers of alcohol including small wineries and craft breweries, many of whom have been hurt by the policies of the Beer Store and LCBO monopolies, should be free to sell their product through whatever distribution system they choose, or to set up outlets of their own. As for retailing alcohol, this should no longer be the domain of the 2 monopolies but be a product option for businesses like grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores.

As entrenched monopolies, the LCBO and The Beer Store don’t like this idea. The Beer Store, while being regulated by the province, is owned and operated by the Molson Coors Brewing Co. (48%), Belgium-based beer giant InBev (48%), and Japan-based Sapporo. It is in these three companies’ interest to maintain their lucrative government-granted monopoly. As for the LCBO, over 150 employees make over $100,000 a year. 5400 employees are members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. You can be sure these bureaucrats and union members will fight tooth and nail to keep their benefits.

As in the case of the Beer Store, there are corporations who benefit from LCBO regulations. In addition to 800 LCBO stores and 440 Beer Store outlets, there are around 290 private wine retail stores (not attached to wineries). Almost all of these private wine stores belong to the Vincor-owned chain of outlets the Wine Rack, or the Andrew Peller-owned chains Vineyard Estates and Wine Country. Andrew Peller trades on the TSX while Vincor is owned by US giant Constellation Brands. Ontario law grants Vincor and Andrew Peller the right to keep their retail outlets while preventing any new wine companies from opening competing retail chains. This hurts the dozens of new wineries sprouting up in the Niagara region by preventing them from competing effectively with Andrew Peller and Vincor.

To conclude, we believe in introducing choice into the Ontario alcohol market. While this means countering the narrow interests of LCBO bureaucrats, Constellation Brands, Andrew Peller, Molson Coors, Sapporo and InBev, this will benefit consumers, producers, and business owners all over Ontario.

—

This website is maintained by private citizens. We are not linked to any lobby group or industry association.