It looks like Ontarians may soon be able to purchase beer and wine at their local corner store after Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives tabled legislation Monday that would terminate a contract with The Beer Store.
Canadian Press reports while tabling today's bill, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli said the current system is a monopoly that is a bad deal for consumers and businesses.
The previous Liberals signed a decade-long deal with brewers in 2015 that permitted an expansion of beer and wine sales to hundreds of grocery stores.
Industry sources warned that breaking the deal would force the province to pay hundreds and millions in damages.
But other experts say the province could simply pass a law declaring any such contract void, reports The Globe and Mail.
While tabling today's bill, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli said the current system is a monopoly that is a bad deal for consumers and businesses.
“The province’s current beer distribution system is owned by three global giants who were handed a sweetheart deal by the previous government, who are more interested in protecting profits than convenience or choice for average people,” Fedeli told the Legislature on Monday.
