Some Ontarians could have a chance to buy beer, wine and spirits at the same place they purchase their celery and bread.
The province announced a pilot project that will have LCBO Express kiosks at 10 different supermarkets across the province for the next 18 months. Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said it was to make the purchasing of alcohol easier for consumers.
The kiosk locations will be announced later.
VQA Ontario wine boutiques will also be available at larger LCBO stores.
MPP Michael Gravelle (Lib, Thunder Bay – Superior North) supports the expansion and said the new kiosks will give Ontarians a chance to purchase lesser-known alcohol.
While he suspects Toronto will be one of the few cities named to house the new mini-LCBOs, Gravelle hopes the opportunity will makes it way to the North.
“I think this is going to be well received,” Gravelle said.
“We have a system that works very well. I think this opportunity makes sense. The LCBO has a tremendous reputation in terms of being careful on who they sell their products to. I will be curious how the public will respond to this.”
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak reignited the debate about selling off portions of, or the entire, LCBO.
Hudak told reporters earlier last month that as Ontario's premier he would move to end the Beer Store and LCBO monopolies.
The Toronto Star reported Hudak as saying it was time Ontario opened the door for liquor retailers and look at models seen in other provinces like Alberta.
Gravelle denied that the decision to have the kiosks were related to Hudak’s comments and added that it was always part of the LCBO’s plan to expand its services.
“It’s difficult to speculate where this will go,” he said. “If this works and does provide the convenience while maintaining the social responsibility one could see it expanding.”
Andria Mulligan, co-founders of Thunder Bay’s Sleeping Giant Brewery, said they are only able to sell their product at their brewery and that even if Ontario were to adopt the Alberta model, the main goal is convenience for their customers.
She added they have the ideal model because there’s no middleman to deal with.
Kyle Mulligan, the company's head brewer, said the discussion raised by Hudak has been on going for some time. Wine and beer manufacturers have been pushing for better accessibility and lessen the control of the LCBO.
Mulligan said this is just a small accommodation by the province, which will show that there is a desire to have beer, wine and spirits available at corner stores.
“This isn’t new and there’s been plenty of opponents in the past, but there’s been no movement by the government,” Mulligan said.
