Criticisms Of Ontario's Public Alcohol Distribution System In Canada

The fashion in which way alcohol is distributed within a jurisdiction is an important topic to discuss because of the different social and economic implications that arise when choosing a particular distribution route. The ability to hold the distributor accountable and keep operations transparent is necessary in order to protect society and keep them informed. The model of alcohol distribution that is best in demonstrating transparency and having clear accountability in today’s Canadian society is that of the public alcohol distribution system. In Canada the methods of distribution for beer, wine and spirits vary among each province. In provinces such as Alberta, all alcohol outlets are fully privatized, meaning that this sector is not under

Finally, under privatization the consumer choice and purchasing power of Ontarians will be negatively impacted: there will be less selection of products at higher prices. To demonstrate this, the paper is divided into three parts. The first section will outline the background of Ontario’s public alcohol distribution system while comparing it to Alberta’s private model and Quebec’s semi-private model. The second section will discuss the three main arguments of the essay. To conclude, the third section of this paper will present the criticisms of Ontario’s public alcohol distribution system from an economic perspective and how these critics are misinformed. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) was introduced in 1927 by the provincial government to “control the sale, transportation and delivery” of alcohol for its citizens.2 The LCBO focusses on corporate social responsibility and is determined to operate in an ethical way. The LCBO is “the largest purchaser of beverage alcohol products in the world buying wine, spirits and beer from more than 60 countries for Ontario consumers and licensees”.3 The LCBO can be defined as a