Ontario's alcohol sale rules just changed and here's what you need to know

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The alcohol retail sector in Ontario has been completely topsy-turvy since Premier Doug Ford moved to expedite getting beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails into corner (and other) stores, and LCBO workers' subsequent strike action which kicked off on July 5.

Ford and his team revealed in May that citizens could expect to see the aforementioned beverage types on the shelves of convenience stores as soon as September and also that RTD cans would be available at select grocery stores even sooner, on August 1.

But, with consumers already experiencing issues accessing their favourite boozy drinks after some 10,000 unionized employees walked off the job and shut down LCBO stores provincewide, Ford has now moved the latter date up to this week.

Shelves at grocery stores empty as LCBO strike shows no signs of ending https://t.co/a69pTFptCz
— blogTO (@blogTO) July 15, 2024

As of today, Thursday, July 18, the 450 supermarkets across Ontario that are already licensed to sell beer, cider and/or wine can boost their offerings with seltzers and similar products, as well as full cases of beer, to help give consumers more options as the LCBO strike wears on.

With the distribution channels for these outlets already established and the step easy to implement, this is a logical acceleration of Ford's plan, obviously prompted by the work action that is approaching the two week mark.

For consumers, this means potentially more selection and stock at their local Sobeys, Longos, Metro, Loblaws, No Frills, Food Basics, Real Canadian Superstore, Michael-Angelo's, FreshCo, and anywhere else they have seen adult beverages since locations were first able to first sell beer, wine and cider in 2015.