Progressive Conservatives Would Allow Beer, Wine to Be Sold in Corner Stores

May 18, 2018

CP24

Tahira Alarakhia

May 25, 2018

Mrs. Scopis

Understanding Canadian Law CLU 3M0

Summary:

In the article “Progressive Conservatives would allow beer, wine to be sold in corner stores”, it states that Doug Ford, the current party leader for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, announced before Victoria Day long weekend that the Conservative government would allow beer and wine to be sold in corner stores throughout Ontario. This is in contrast to the Liberal government, which stated that alcohol sales would be limited to 450 grocery stores which were determined through a competitive bidding process held by the LCBO. Ford made a statement in which he said, “it is time to acknowledge that Ontario is mature enough for this change and ready to join other jurisdictions in making life a little more convenient”. The Liberals stated that they believe the timing of Ford’s announcement was deliberate, as the Conservatives are currently facing a scandal involving one of the party’s members. They resigned due to allegations of “theft of customer data at a toll highway operator” (the 407 ETR).

Areas of Law:

The topic falls under the umbrella of substantive law and covers aspects of public law, which include criminal law and administrative law. It falls under substantive law as the issue pertains to the legality of alcohol being sold in corner stores. It falls under public law because it is concerning the relationship between corporations, individuals and the government, who gives them their rights. It relates to criminal law because it discusses the legality of selling alcohol in corner stores, which the Conservative government is trying to make legal in Ontario. In terms of administrative law, the potential new location of alcohol sales is a matter pertaining to individuals and their alcohol purchasing rights, which are dictated by the government. It also pertains to corporations and the necessary steps required for them to be able to sell alcohol, which is also a matter concerning the government.

Questions:

1. Do you agree with the Progressive Conservative party’s promise to allow alcohol to be sold in corner stores? Why or why not?

1. Do you believe this would result in an increase in underage drinking in Ontario?

1. Why do you believe the decision to sell alcohol in corner stores is facing more criticism than the decision to sell it in grocery stores?

1. How might the government control the convenience stores that will be able to sell alcohol?

1. What might a possible fine for corner stores found selling alcohol to minors?

Answers:

1. I disagree with the Progressive Conservative party’s promise to allow alcohol to be sold in corner stores. While it may be seemingly more convenient for customers to have more stores in which they are able to purchase alcohol, I believe the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. One of the primary reasons behind alcohol being sold in grocery stores was to increase its convenience factor, which I believe it has done significantly. However, the idea of increasing this convenience by selling it in corner stores seems quite precarious, as I believe it will be more likely that the alcohol will end up in the hands of teenagers who are legally not allowed to drink, as well as having a potential increase for alcohol being stolen.

1. Personally, I believe this will result in an increase in underage drinking across the province. While the grocery stores the government has approved to sell alcohol in are generally large and established, corner stores for the most part are smaller and have less security due to their size. As well, while a grocery store may have many employees working during one shift, corner stores may only have one to two employees for a shift. This may result in the alcohol being more susceptible to being abused by people underage, as it is easier for them to get the alcohol due to the smaller size of corner stores and the overall less strict environment of them in terms of the sales of regulated substances.

1. I believe the decision to sell alcohol is facing more criticism than the decision to sell it in grocery stores because generally, grocery stores are well-established and ethical in terms of their sales and processes. On the other hand, corner stores are usually independent businesses, and their sales and processes are generally seen as less strict and more unconstrained. This opens up a higher possibility for illegal activity to occur, meaning the general public believes that the regulations and enforcement of selling alcohol in corner stores will be less than that of the approved grocery stores it is currently allowed to be sold in.

1. I believe the government will control the corner stores allowed to sell alcohol in a similar way to grocery stores that are allowed to sell it; however, perhaps with more emphasis placed on a kind of background check on the owner(s) and employees of the corner store. While grocery stores selling alcohol require certain employees to be trained so they are able to sell alcohol, I believe all corner stores that may sell alcohol will have to have all employees be over 18 years of age (legal age to serve alcohol in Ontario) and trained to sell alcohol. Having all of the staff trained to sell alcohol may reduce underage people from obtaining it from corner stores, and may result in less of an impact on Ontario teens having an easier access to alcohol.

1. Currently, the fine for corporations caught selling alcohol to minors us up to $500,000, as well as their license getting suspended anywhere from five days to it being revoked entirely. I believe this fine may also be applied to corner stores that are found selling alcohol to minors; however, in addition to this, I believe employees should be required to attend training once again so they are able to understand the harm in selling alcohol to minors, and prevent such an instance from happening again. If the corner store is caught repeatedly selling alcohol to minors, I believe their license should be revoked, as this will ensure that other corner stores are selling alcohol legally and responsibly.