Ontario Convenience Stores Able to Sell Beer, Wine, Cider and Ready-to-Drink Alcoholic Beverages

The Ontario Government has permitted all licensed convenience stores in the province to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages effective immediately, announced on Thursday.

Doug Ford, Ontario Premier (left) and Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario Minister of Finance (right) making the announcement at a convenience store in Etobicoke. As of Sept. 5, 4,187 convenience stores across Ontario are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, in addition to nearly 3,000 other licensed retail outlets as well as takeaway options from licensed bars and restaurants. Screenshot.

Doug Ford, Ontario Premier announced the coming of alcohol in convenience stores on Dec. 14 last year.

“Today’s expansion delivers on our government’s promise to give people in Ontario the same choice and convenience enjoyed by people throughout the rest of Canada,” he said. “With today’s announcement, we’re also creating new opportunities to produce and sell world-class Ontario-made beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages in nearly 4,200 convenience stores across the province.”

By the end of October, as part of the government’s plan to expand alcohol sales, every eligible convenience, grocery and big-box grocery store in Ontario will be able to sell eligible alcohol if they choose to according to a press release.

“People finally have more options to responsibly and conveniently support local Ontario breweries and wineries – or whatever their drink-of-choice may be – even closer to home, and today’s announcement is another milestone in the government’s commitment to deliver more choice and convenience to consumers,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario Minister of Finance. “In addition to supporting Ontario retailers, domestic producers and workers in the alcohol industry, our vision for a better marketplace has come to life thanks to people and businesses across the province.”

The government adds that they are permanently allowing the transfer of wine and spirits between locations with the same owner and/or affiliated licensees to help bars and restaurants effectively manage inventory and is allowing licensed grocery and convenience stores to display alcoholic beverages in multiple areas of a store while maintaining small-producer shelf space requirements as well as policies that will continue to ensure the safe and responsible sale of alcohol.

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