Will Beer Store plan pay off?

Critics say taxpayers could be on the hook for far more than $225M

- ROBERT BENZIE

Premier Doug Ford says that by expanding alcohol sales to an additional 8,500 supermarkets, convenience stores and big box outlets, the province will “see new revenues of $895 million to $1.16 billion,” money that he says can go toward areas such as health care.

Is Premier Doug Ford’s alcohol liberalization gambit a “billion-dollar booze boondoggle” or a $225-million investment that will reap dividends for the treasury?

It depends who you ask.

The premier jolted Ontario’s political landscape last Friday when he announced beer, wine and premixed cocktails would be more widely available at many different types of retail outlets by Oct. 31.

Ford said that’s because the province is paying the Beer Store — which is controlled by foreign-owned brewing giants Labatt, Molson and Sleeman — $225 million to end their restrictive 10-year “master framework agreement” earlier than its slated Dec. 31, 2025 completion.

That move gives the premier the flexibility to hold a provincial election sooner than the scheduled June 2026 vote because he can be seen to have delivered on a key campaign pledge to voters.

While Ford is coy about a snap vote — “stay tuned” was all he would say after the Star revealed he’s actively thinking about it — he insists his reforms will bring in more taxes.