Thunder Bay is one of the 20 cities that contributed most to a province-wide petition to allow convenience stores to sell beer and wine.
More than 112,000 signatures have been collected for a petition that asks the province to allow the sale of beer and wine at corner stores.
Owner of Kathy's Discount Gift Centre Ed Choquette says the government believes allowing convenience stores to sell liquor would make it easier for underage people to gain access.
“We, the store owners, have done a fabulous job in regulating the sale of cigarettes to minors,” Choquette told CKPR Radio during an interview. “I think you’ll find very few minors being able to access cigarettes in these same stores.
“I have no doubt that the same due diligence would be provided for the purchase of wine or liquor.”
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association states that more than 200 stores outside Ontario responsibly sell alcohol products and people here want the same luxury.
