Ontarians back liberalized booze sales

Survey commissioned by PCs shows 57% back expansion while 54% support LCBO strike

- ROBERT BENZIE

The Campaign Research survey suggests the LCBO strike is so far having little impact on the public or on the popularity of Premier Doug Ford's government.

Ontarians overwhelmingly support more liberalized alcohol sales even though a majority back the LCBO strikers, according to internal government polling obtained by the Star.

The poll commissioned by Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives found that 54 per cent are in support of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union’s “decision to go strike” while 32 per cent opposed it and 14 per cent had no opinion.

But the Campaign Research survey suggested the job action that has closed 680 Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores since July 5 is so far having little impact on the public or on the Tories’ popularity.

Only about one-quarter of respondents — 28 per cent — said the job action was “inconvenient” while 73 per cent said it wasn’t.

That’s despite the fact 91 per cent were aware of the work stoppage with only nine per cent unaware.