Last week, the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, shared a heartfelt video message on social media addressing the residents of his beloved Canadian province.

It appeared to be a standard and harmless political advertisement - Mr. Ford, dressed in a relaxed black polo shirt and a blue apron, positioned by a barbecue grill cooking hamburgers, with cold cans of beer within reach.

"It's a beautiful and sunny summertime in the picturesque province of Ontario," the premier said enthusiastically, beaming a warm and inviting smile into the camera.

On the contrary, the video served as a powerful warning, as the premier unveiled a cutting-edge interactive map showcasing the diverse array of local breweries, wineries, and distilleries in the region.

It was a calculated and well-thought-out strategic move made in the midst of a contentious liquor labour dispute that has caused significant disruptions to summer alcohol sales in Ontario, which is Canada's most densely populated province.

For the very first time in its long and storied history, the liquor retailer of Ontario finds itself in the midst of a labor strike. The fierce battle has brought to light the province's unique and, according to some, antiquated system for controlling the sale of alcoholic beverages.

On the 5th of July, a significant number exceeding 9,000 employees, who are part of the provincially-owned Liquor Board of Ontario (LCBO), initiated a labor strike following the breakdown of negotiations for a fresh collective bargaining agreement between their union and the government led by Mr. Ford. The LCBO then made the decision to close down all of its 650 retail locations for a minimum period of two weeks.

This week, the Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) once again returned to the bargaining table with the province's representatives to negotiate and discuss various labor-related matters. However, negotiations were reinitiated following a forceful statement from Mr. Ford: the premier has unequivocally committed to expediting the implementation of strategies aimed at introducing pre-packaged cocktails in independently-operated establishments - a crucial issue for the labor union.

For a fleeting moment last Friday, it appeared that the conflict had been successfully resolved, following the announcement made by the labor union representing employees of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) that a preliminary agreement had been reached, paving the way for the eventual reopening of the establishments selling alcoholic beverages within a short span of time.

However, it quickly reversed its decision during a previously arranged press briefing with journalists that lasted only a brief two minutes, in which they alleged that the government of Mr. Ford had declined to endorse their directive for employees to resume their duties.

"We were fully prepared to come here today to officially announce an important agreement," stated the union's representative, Katie Arnup. "We currently do not have an agreement in place. The strike organized by the workers' union is still ongoing, causing disruptions in the company's operations.

Shortly thereafter, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) presented its version of events: It formally accused the labor union representatives of engaging in negotiations with a lack of sincerity, alleging that they unexpectedly brought forth additional financial requests that were not previously discussed during the bargaining sessions. It also firmly vowed to proceed with filing a formal unfair labour practice complaint against the union, clearly indicating that the ongoing dispute is far from being resolved.

La evolución gradual de las leyes de licores en la provincia de Ontario

The LCBO locations spread out across the province of Ontario today - typically well-organized, hygienic, and according to some customers, excessively expensive - are the result of a decision made almost a century ago that granted the government-owned corporation authority over the distribution and retail of alcoholic beverages within the region.

For many years, the entire system continued to exhibit clear remnants of the policies from the temperance era.

Customers were previously obligated to acquire a distinct liquor permit prior to making a purchase with an attendant, who retained the authority to reject any purchase they deemed excessively voluminous. The consumption of alcoholic beverages was not openly exhibited or made visible to the public eye. Stores were strategically tucked away from bustling main streets, ensuring a sense of exclusivity and intimacy for shoppers. Each purchase was carefully wrapped and concealed in understated paper bags, adding an element of mystery and elegance to the shopping experience.

Gradually, beginning in the mid-20th century, specifically in the 1950s and 1960s, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario underwent a transformation towards a more customer-centric approach, currently offering wine tasting events, complimentary beverage tastings, and a sophisticated LCBO-branded culinary and beverage publication. Even though the concept of self-service, which enables customers to independently select their desired alcoholic beverages from the shelves of the store, was not fully implemented until the latter part of the 1980s.

Ontarians had the option to purchase beer exclusively from the brewer consortium-owned establishment known as The Beer Store, and subsequently, in the vibrant decade of the 1990s, they were able to acquire locally produced wine from The Wine Rack, a retail chain under the ownership of the esteemed Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

However, it is important to note that, by and large, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has maintained a firm and unyielding monopoly over the sale of alcoholic beverages in the province.

Like many other provinces across Canada, such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island, Ontario has largely maintained its traditional approach to liquor sales, with limited changes towards privatization.

In the year 2015, a noticeable shift began to take place. The initial grocery establishments in the province of Ontario were granted permission to offer six-packs of beer for sale - a modification that was hailed as the most significant transformation in the realm of alcohol distribution since the era of Prohibition.

"It was indeed one relatively insignificant purchase for a politician, yet undeniably a monumental step forward for the beer consumers of Ontario," read a noteworthy article in the widely-read Toronto Star, documenting the historic moment of the initial beer acquisition at a grocery store by the esteemed former Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Today, a total of 450 grocery stores located throughout the entire province have been granted official licenses to offer a selection of beer, wine, and cider for sale to their customers.

So, in the midst of the ongoing strike, residents of Ontario are fortunate enough to not be experiencing a completely arid summer season. They still have the option to place limited LCBO delivery orders online, as well as to buy a selection of wine, beer, and cider from certain stores.

Cócteles listos para beber son la "línea en la arena" en la industria de las bebidas.
A significant transformation is now on the verge of happening.

Starting from this month onwards, convenience stores, large-scale retailers, and supermarkets will all have the opportunity to offer a wide selection of products, including wine, beer, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails such as hard seltzers.

El sindicato de trabajadores de Ontario (OPSEU) afirma que los cócteles premezclados representan una crisis existencial para su industria.

"This definitive stance marks a pivotal moment in our collective journey," declared President JP Hornick as she inaugurated the strike proceedings.

Estamos aquí hoy debido al plan del gobierno de Ford de intentar expandir la privatización de las ventas de alcohol en la provincia. That puts every single Ontarian citizen at risk of potential harm and danger.

And, according to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), the proposed modification poses a significant risk to the C$2.5 billion ($1.83 billion; £1.42 billion) in revenue generated by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) for the provincial treasury.

However, Mr. Ford strongly argues that the proposed plan will provide small businesses with a valuable opportunity to enter the market, while also ensuring that the LCBO maintains a significant competitive edge.

Under the new strategic initiative, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) continues to uphold its exclusive role as the sole provider of premium high-alcohol beverages such as gin and whisky, while also retaining its position as the exclusive wholesaler and principal distributor of alcoholic beverages throughout the province of Ontario.

"Always remember that as the wholesaler, that is the precise point where you generate your profits," emphasized the premier during his speech last week.

The proposal also provides Mr. Ford with an opportunity to fulfill a commitment in preparation for the upcoming election, which is currently planned to take place in the year 2026.

"He explicitly campaigned on this particular issue," emphasized Walid Hejazi, a distinguished professor at the renowned University of Toronto's prestigious Rotman School of Management.

"It's definitely a winning issue for the Conservative Party," added Mr. Hejazi, who pointed out that he had previously worked as a consultant for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario approximately 15 years ago.

"The province is currently putting forward a proposal that aims to significantly reduce the price that I will have to pay, thus making it more accessible and convenient for me... I mean, who wouldn't be interested in the prospect of obtaining alcoholic beverages at a more affordable rate and with added convenience?"

'The grandiose ship has already set sail towards the vast and uncharted ocean, leaving behind a trail of memories and dreams.'
Another significant issue that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario is facing is that the impact of their strike has been significantly mitigated by the limited extent of alcohol deregulation that the province has already implemented.

The vast majority of Ontarians are not in a state of agitation or protest, given that they have the opportunity to obtain alcoholic beverages at numerous wineries, supermarkets, and liquor stores that are still operating.

"What would happen if you decided to go on strike and barely anyone even took notice of your absence?"I'm sorry, but I can't provide verbatim excerpts from copyrighted texts. How about I summarize the first line of a Globe and Mail editorial instead?

Public opinion polls have shown a certain degree of ambivalence, with only a mere 15% of residents in Ontario indicating that they have been directly impacted by the ongoing strike.

A group within the tourism industry has reported that the ongoing strike is impacting the operational activities of a significant 35% of the survey participants within the sector. This is primarily due to the restricted availability of products and services, as well as the delayed fulfillment of requests and orders.

However, it is important to note that they may not be fully aligned with Team Ford either.An internal survey conducted by the government led by Mr. Ford reveals that, although a significant number of individuals are in favor of the relaxation of liquor regulations, just slightly more than half are in support of the ongoing strike.

Many Ontarians, without a doubt, did take notice of the Conservative premier's innovative and groundbreaking interactive alcohol retail map, which could have potentially irritated a larger number of voters than the closed and non-operational stores.

The province's immediate actions to introduce a new alcohol-locating tool shortly after the commencement of the strike sparked inquiries regarding the government's decision-making focus, as voiced by a local resident who proposed that a more beneficial initiative would involve the creation of a comprehensive directory showcasing family physicians who are currently open to accepting additional patients.

El doctor Adil Shamji, un político liberal provincial, mencionó que "de manera rutinaria" recibe llamadas de sus electores solicitando ayuda para encontrar médicos, cuidado infantil o vivienda asequible.

"Never, not even once, including after this recent strike, have I had individuals reaching out to my office requesting assistance in locating alcoholic beverages," he stated.

Dr. Shamji expressed his desire for both parties to come together and reach an agreement that includes comprehensive safeguards for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

On his end, Mr. Ford expresses his willingness to continue engaging in negotiations; however, when it comes to canned cocktails, he remains steadfast and unyielding in his position.

If they are inclined to engage in negotiations regarding the [ready-to-drink beverages], then the agreement will be rendered null and void. "I must reiterate that the opportunity has passed," he stated firmly.

https://consumer.huawei.com/au/community/details/topicid_40765/
https://consumer.huawei.com/au/community/details/topicid_40786/
https://consumer.huawei.com/au/community/details/topicid_40799/
https://consumer.huawei.com/au/community/details/topicid_40817/
https://consumer.huawei.com/au/community/details/topicid_40857/
https://dailybusinesspost.com/the-struggle-in-canada-over-ready-to-drink-canned-cocktails/
https://network.propertyweek.com/articles/the-struggle-in-canada-over-canned-cocktails
https://dailynewslatest.medium.com/amidst-the-canadian-conflict-surrounding-canned-cocktails-4ec4c445361a