Overview

To support increased choice and convenience for consumers and opportunities for business, Ontario is making changes to the range of retail outlets where Ontario consumers can safely and responsibly purchase beverage alcohol.

Expanding alcohol sales in Ontario

Starting in August 2024, consumers will be able to purchase new products like coolers and other ready-to-drink beverages alongside increased pack sizes at grocery stores that are currently licensed to sell alcohol and cider. This will be followed by new licensed retailers being able to sell an increased selection of local, domestic and international alcohol products. By the end of October 2024, all licensed convenience, grocery and big box grocery stores will be able to sell beer, wine, cider, coolers, seltzers, and other low-alcohol ready-to-drink beverages if they choose to do so.

The LCBO will remain a public asset and will continue to operate as a wholesaler to the new marketplace and a retailer. Within the expanded marketplace, the LCBO network will be the only retailer where spirits such as vodka, gin and whisky will be sold.

Ontario has reached an agreement with The Beer Store to help create the conditions to increase choice and convenience for consumers starting in summer 2024. The Beer Store will operate as a retailer and has  agreed to continue its recycling program for alcoholic beverage containers and distribution until at least 2031.

Grocery stores

There are currently up to 450 grocery stores that are allowed to sell beer and cider, and of those 226 also sell wine. Find one near you.

On August 1, 2024, the up to 450 grocery stores that are currently licensed to sell beer, cider or wine will also be able to sell ready-to-drink beverages. These grocery stores will also be able to start offering consumers large-pack sizes.

After October 31, 2024, all eligible grocery and big-box grocery stores will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages, including in large pack sizes.

Convenience stores

After September 5, 2024, all eligible convenience stores will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.

LCBO Convenience Outlets

LCBO Convenience Outlets offer a similar product assortment to LCBO stores. There are more than 385 LCBO  Convenience Outlets operating across Ontario. Find one near you.

Other alcohol expansion measures

The government has made substantial progress to expand choice and convenience for consumers while giving businesses more opportunities. Initiatives include:

  • supporting bars, restaurants and other businesses with a licence to operate a liquor consumption premises by cutting wholesale prices for the alcohol they purchase from the LCBO, providing approximately $60 million in annual support to restaurants, bars and other businesses.
  • freezing the basic beer tax rates that were set to be indexed to inflation until March 1, 2026 to support beer and craft beer brewers to recover and grow, and to save consumers money.
  • implementing a new legal framework for the sale, service and delivery of beverage alcohol – the first comprehensive update of Ontario’s liquor legislation in over 40 years – with highlights including:
    • Allowing licensed grocery stores to offer curbside pickup of beer, wine and cider.
    • Streamlining licensing and renewals for businesses through a single primary licence with endorsements for additional activities, such as on-site retail stores or brew pubs.
    • Reducing red tape by streamlining reporting requirements for manufacturers.
  • permanently allowing licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order.
  • making it easier for businesses to create and extend patios.
  • allowing manufacturers with an on-site store to sell eligible beer, cider, wine and spirits products at farmers’ markets.
  • supporting alcohol producers by creating more flexible delivery rules, including allowing eligible alcohol manufacturers to deliver their own products and charge a delivery fee.
  • reducing the minimum price of spirits consumed at liquor consumption premises.
  • permitting alcohol service on docked boats with a liquor sales licence.
  • giving licensed restaurants and bars and retailers more flexibility in using liquor delivery services.
  • Simplifying rules for the alcohol sector, allowing curbside beer/wine pickup at grocery stores, updating Smart Serve rules.

Rules for retailers

The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 and its regulations govern the sale of beer, wine and cider in grocery stores across the province. Other alcohol retailers are also governed by this Act.

Pricing

After October 31, 2024, consumers will have increased choice and convenience to purchase beverage alcohol products in many more licensed retail locations, in addition to LCBO and The Beer Store. Minimum price policies will ensure Ontario continues its existing standards of promoting responsible consumption. LCBO retail stores will maintain consistent pricing across the province to help ensure consumers do not pay more based on where they live.

Social responsibility

Selling alcohol is a public trust. Stores must follow mandatory rules when selling alcohol. These rules are part of the government’s commitment to ensure that alcohol is sold in a socially responsible manner.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regulates alcohol retail sectors and ensures that beer, wine and cider are:

  • not sold to anyone under Ontario’s legal drinking age of 19 or to intoxicated adults
  • sold by fully trained staff who ensure Ontario’s standards for social responsibility are always met
  • sold during standard hours of sale (7 a.m. – 11 p.m., 7 days per week)
  • only available in a designated section of each store

The government has posted the regulations related to eligibility and license structure, along with the terms of who can sell alcohol, the rules for selling alcohol, including the social responsibility standards and the licensing framework, which will be on a first come, first served basis. The AGCO oversees the enforcement of the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, and determines consequence for retailers who breach these rules, up to and including the loss of their licence to sell alcohol. If a retailer's licence is revoked or an application is denied, they cannot reapply for two years. The AGCO will be taking strong measures with respect to social responsibility infractions as part of its continued role in the new marketplace.

Find a grocery store near you that sells beer, wine and cider

 

Find a grocery store that sells beer, wine and cider

Questions?

Email alcoholreview@ontario.ca

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