Mauro supported a motion condemning the plan from Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM), a group of mayors of the province’s 29 largest municipalities.
The issue is set to come before city council on Monday for information only.
The comment period closed earlier this week for the chain's applications to sell beer and wine in 61 of its Ontario stores, including one in Dryden, the company's only northwestern Ontario location.
Approving the applications would hurt local restaurants and bars already struggling due to the pandemic, the OBCM argued.
“Municipalities have been working hard to implement and advocate for business supports to ensure more local businesses survive the pandemic,” read a resolution passed at a February meeting. “Approval by the AGCO would mean exposing an already vulnerable and hard-hit restaurant/bar industry to further competition.”
City councils in Toronto and Brampton have formally opposed the plans, as has OPSEU, the union representing thousands of LCBO workers.
"It will hurt small business and restaurant owners struggling to get through the pandemic,” said OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “It could increase drinking and driving and underage drinking. And since this is clearly a ploy to open the door to all convenience stores selling alcohol, it will rob the province of alcohol revenues it needs to fund our vital public services.”
As the applicant, 7-Eleven will be notified of objections to its applications filed with the AGCO, and will have a chance to work with any objectors to attempt to resolve concerns before a decision is made by the agency.
