MARATHON - A promise made and a promise kept, as Premier Doug Ford announced that as of Jan. 1, 2026, participating convenience, grocery, and big box stores can sell low-percentage alcohol to the public.
The Ford government is touting the move as a progressive step to open the marketplace to alcohol sales and expand customer choice, but some are concerned that de-regulating the sale of alcohol shouldn’t be a priority.
Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas feels that the framework set by the previous Liberal government should be left alone.
“I've experienced another province where they do sell [alcohol more widely], but I always looked at it this way.. Now you're putting a burden on those small independent or chain stores that now have to have people trained under the law for the Smart Serve program to serve alcohol to those individuals. I think it's just a lot more burden going to be put on the stores for a very small amount of profit.”
Dumas is also worried the changes could make it easier for underage youth to procure alcohol, calling that a "big concern."
"Why not just keep it the way it is to regulate it through the Brewer's Retail, as well as the [LCBO]?" he asked. "People have access to those supplies when they need them and they go to those facilities under control, and those individuals are trained. Now, you have a minimum wage person working at a counter trying to serve alcohol to somebody who might be intoxicated or not, or underage, and then have to deal with that."
During Thursday’s press conference, Ford said the amendments being made to the Master Framework Agreement (MFA) between Ontario and LCBO and The Beer Store are for the greater good of the consumer, saying “it’s time to start treating people like adults.”
He skirted around questions regarding the burdens on general labourers and employers, stating that youth mistakenly purchasing an alcoholic beverage thinking it’s an energy drink “isn’t going to happen."
With the changes, employer at the new sale locations will be responsible for policing the public's social responsibilities through staff training, minimum pricing, hours of sale, and warning signs, much in the same vein as the retail outlets that serve alcohol now.
As part of the announcement, Ontario is providing $10 million over five years to the Ministry of Health to support the public health sector with alcohol-related substance abuse as the marketplace expands.
Independent MPP Micheal Mantha said, “When we are looking at what the government is doing with selling alcohol in corner stores, there are organizations, many of them, particularly the Ontario Public Health Association, that have expressed concern about expanding access to alcohol in less controlled settings.”
“Once again with the Ford government, trying to change the channel where they should be focusing on health care and start investing in public health care and not for private for-profit health care facilities,” he added.
Several Ontario mental health and addictions organizations have said increasing the number of outlets where alcohol is sold will also increase negative health outcomes, including violence, injuries, alcohol-related crashes, and deaths by suicide.
“Drinking is a leading cause of death in young people,” said Tatum Wilson, CEO of Children’s Mental Health Ontario, in a statement. “We welcome the significant investments the government has made in child and youth mental health, but any path forward on expansion of access to alcohol must also include significant investments in harm reduction measures, education, and mitigating strategies to prevent the health risks to children, youth and families associated with alcohol use, as well as dedicated investments in treatment and supports.”
The Ford government will continue to meet with stakeholders as the MFA with LCBO and The Beer Store gets closer to expiring on Dec. 31, 2025. They aim to consult further regarding licensing, wholesale pricing and taxes, mark-ups and fees.
The province will also conduct a broader review of taxes and fees on beer, wine and alcoholic beverages.
With files from Al Creswell, CFNO