Premier Doug Ford’s apparent preference to tear the province’s liquor market wide open was a good one. He should not take his foot off the gas
Quebec convenience store owners are up in arms over a plan to expand the province’s recycling program beyond beer and pop bottles and cans, to include wine, liquor, milk and juice containers as well. In a magnificent Montreal Gazette photo this week, a grim-faced dépanneur proprietor hoists an enormous clear plastic bag full of Carling tall boy empties in a cramped back room, and the message to Premier François Legault is clear: There is no room for more empties here. Back off.
No word of a lie, there are people here in Ontario who will tell you it’s impossible: Private independent businesses would simply refuse to do it, these people say. Arguments like “uh, have you been to Quebec?” bounce off them like superballs. It is not explicable anymore. Last year, in fulfilment of a campaign promise, the Progressive Conservative government legislated The Beer Store’s special status out of existence: No more beer monopoly, no more recycling monopoly. The assumption was this would pave the way for fulfilment of another Doug Ford campaign promise: Beer in corner stores, beer in big-box stores, beer who knows where else.
That’s the agreement that got legislated out of existence — but the bill in question has yet to be proclaimed into force. Asked about the state of play, Emily Hogeveen, spokesperson for Finance Minister, said the government is still committed to expanding retail options.“We look forward to continuing negotiations to deliver choice and fairness for Ontarians,” she added.
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