Ontario Premier Doug Ford is standing firm on his government’s plan to expand alcohol sales in the province, including ready-to-drink beverages, amid a strike by 9,000 LCBO workers. Ford made it clear that he will not budge on the issue, stating that “that ship has sailed, it’s halfway across Lake Ontario.” The strike, which began on July 5, has led to the closure of hundreds of stores across the province.
The Ontario Public Sector Employees’ Union (OPSEU) has raised concerns about the impact of introducing thousands of private retailers into the alcohol distribution network, arguing that it could jeopardize the $2.5 billion in public revenue. However, Ford maintains that RTD sales make up only a small percentage of overall alcohol sales in the province.
Ford expressed disappointment that the strike occurred, suggesting that employees may not have been fully informed about the deal put forward by the province before going on strike. He urged the union to return to the bargaining table to resolve the issue.
The premier’s unwavering stance on the issue highlights the government’s commitment to expanding alcohol sales in Ontario, despite the ongoing strike. The dispute between the province and LCBO workers continues to impact the availability of alcohol across the province, with no resolution in sight.
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Video “Doug Ford says he won’t budge on ready-to-drink beverages amid LCBO strike: “That ship has sailed”” was uploaded on 07/10/2024 to Youtube Channel Global News