Doug Ford says ‘ship has sailed’ on pre-mixed drinks in corner stores amid LCBO strike

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he believes a deal between the LCBO and striking workers can be reached but he will not revisit a plan to expand pre-mixed drinks into corner stores, saying it’s off the table in negotiations.

Mr. Ford, speaking publicly about the six-day old strike for the first time, said the union’s demand that the government back down on its plan to allow ready-to-drink spirit-based cocktails, such as coolers, to be sold in convenience stores and grocery stores will not happen.

“It’s done. It’s gone. That ship has sailed, it’s halfway across Lake Ontario,” Mr. Ford told reporters at Cool Beer Brewing Company in Etobicoke.

Mr. Ford said the LCBO will continue to sell pre-mixed cocktails as well and will remain the exclusive retailer of spirits, such as vodka and gin.

“I’m going to make it very clear. We’re not selling the LCBO. It’s a great asset.”

Grocery stores that already sell beer and wine will be able to sell ready-to-drink cocktails starting Aug. 1, and convenience stores can start selling beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails on Sept. 5.

The premier also said he’s spoken to hundreds of front line LCBO workers from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union who were unaware of the Crown corporation’s latest offer, which includes seven per cent wage increases over three years.

“We need to get back to the table. These folks don’t want to be sitting out in 100-degree weather or pouring rain. They want to work,” Mr. Ford said.

He said the LCBO and the union are not far apart on key issues of job security, wages and benefits. “This strike should have never, ever taken place,” he said.

The decision to expand alcohol sales – particularly ready-to-drink beverages – is at the heart of the dispute between the government and the union representing more than 9,000 workers.

The union is urging the government to drop the expansion of pre-mixed beverages into the private market, saying the growing popularity of such drinks threatens their livelihood as a retail operation and puts $2.5-billion in revenue at risk.

The government’s plans, announced in May, to speed up the sale of beer in corner stores by 16 months are expected to cost more than its announced $225-million price tag – but the final tally is yet unknown.

OPSEU President JP Hornick said Tuesday that talks will remain at a standstill until the government guarantees job protection for workers or produces a plan to make up for what the union said would be hundreds of millions in lost revenue as alcohol sales expand into the private market.

Responding to a July 4 offer from the LCBO that included increased pay, job security and other provisions, Hornick said, “Those are only meaningful if you’re not shutting down jobs – there’s nothing in there that actually guarantees a single job.”

The union did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.