THUNDER BAY — Close to 7,000 LCBO employee signatures were delivered today during rallies at MPP offices across the province.
In Thunder Bay, local OPSEU members who work at LCBO locations were at MPP Kevin Holland's office to show their resistance to the Ford government's plan to increase alcohol and beer sales in big box stores, corner stores, and gas stations.
Currently the province has an agreement with the liquor control board that goes until the end of 2025.
At MPP Holland's office, Travis Arnold spoke on behalf of local LCBO OPSEU members about their concerns.
"We're here to tell Doug Ford that the LCBO is not for sale."
That is in reference to the $2.5 billion in profit the liquor store made during its 2022-23 fiscal year.
"Being here is showing a united front. It's showing that we're here, we're not going anywhere, and we're willing to fight for our jobs and our livelihood," said Arnold.
NDP opposition MPP Lise Vaugeois came to support the rally in front of Holland's office.
She is also concerned about taking the money out of the "public purse."
"This is very much in keeping with other things that the Ford government has been doing, which is selling off public assets. They actually wind up costing the public more and then making a lot of profits for very particular friends of the Conservative party."
MPP Kevin Holland disagreed with the NDP member.
"We have no plans whatsoever to privatize the LCBO. The LCBO will maintain as the exclusive provider to bars, restaurants and retail stores across Ontario."
Holland said he wishes the local protesters had reached out to him.
"I would have been happy to sit down and listen to them to hear about what their concerns are specifically locally...I'd much rather sit down and talk to you in a productive way, a conversation here directly from you as to what your concerns are.
"Standing outside my office doesn't give me the information I need to advocate on your behalf. It's a bit of a missed opportunity for them."
Vaugeois also raised concerns over the increased accessibility of alcohol.
"If you're trying to prevent people from drinking and driving, it seems really counterproductive to be having alcohol where people are driving," referencing that gas stations could be a future location for alcohol sales.
She also noted that there could be increased safety risks and costs associated with private store operators.
"Often they're young people working late at night by themselves in those stores, that actually puts a big responsibility on them and a risk on them because when you're dealing with people with addictions, they're not always behaving in the best way."
Teams for LCBO OPSEU members will meet with the province on Wednesday to start their next round of bargaining.
