Sell Ontario wine, beer at corner stores, MPP urges
Last Updated: Tuesday, April 3, 2007 | 6:21 PM ET
CBC News
If one Ontario politician has his way, locally produced beer and wine will be sold at convenience stores across the province. But not everyone is bubbling with excitement over his proposal.
Liberal MPP Kim Craitor, who represents Niagara Falls, introduced a private member's bill Tuesday calling for a proposed law change on the sale of alcohol in corner stores. The bill passed first reading by a vote of 52 to 8.
A Liberal MPP wants corner store shelves stocked with Ontario-produced wine and beer to promote the local economy.
(CBC)
Craitor doesn't drink and is allergic to alcohol, but says the intent of his bill is to help wine producers in the Niagara region, an area rich with vineyards and wineries.
The proposed legislation applies only to wine containing 100 per cent Ontario grapes, which means "it's not blended, it's not mixed with foreign grapes," he says.
The proposed legislation would also allow for beer made at Ontario micro-breweries to be sold at convenience stores.
Premier Dalton McGuinty argued earlier in the day that the change could lead to more underage drinking than under current rules, saying parents like how difficult it is for their children to purchase alcohol in the province.
"They enjoy the fact that they feel tremendous confidence knowing that it's really tough if you're underage in Ontario to buy wine or beer or liquor from the LCBO or Beer Store," said McGuinty.
"It's a good system. It ain't broke."
McGuinty is not the only critic. An alcohol addiction expert says changing the law would be a mistake because it would allow easier access for teenagers and problem drinkers.
"What it does is to increase availability of alcoholic beverages and as importantly, it increases the accessibility and acceptability of the use of alcoholic beverages," said Paul Whitehead, a University of Western Ontario sociologist.
Many corner stores in European countries sell beer and wine, but Whitehead argues that's because it's a staple beverage with meals, which is not the case in Canada.
Whitehead says it's unlikely the Liberals would back such a controversial idea with an election on the horizon. The next provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 10.
Few private member's bills gain enough support to become law.
