Everyone in Ontario is familiar with these retailers:
The difference between the Ontario branches of these stores and those elsewhere is the ones in Ontario can’t sell wine. In most US states, Walmart and Costco can sell the product. Costco and Real Canadian Superstore retail wine in Alberta, while 7-Eleven sells it in the US and Mac’s does so in Quebec. Grocery stores in Quebec including Loblaws and IGA peddle wine too.
The logic underlying Ontario law is that these stores are “irresponsible” sellers and consumers will be tempted to buy too much alcohol from them. Ontario would become a den of drunks, thieves, and godless hedonists. Only the government-run LCBO can prevent this, goes the myth.
Across the border in Quebec and the US, society has not collapsed into anarchy despite the ability of consumers to buy alcohol from places like 7-eleven and Walmart. It’s time for Ontario to join the rest of the world and end the archaic LCBO wine monopoly
