Ontario Members Update

 URGENT REPLY REQUESTED ON QUESTIONS BELOW

As you know, the Ontario government has indicated that they are looking to open up the method of the sale and distribution of beer and wine in the Province to grocery stores (not convenience stores) and will, in broad strokes, outline their thinking in the April budget delivered by the Minister of Finance.  The Premier also appointed an Advisory Council, chaired by the former head of the TD Bank, Ed Clark, to review this issue and to make recommendations to the Premier and her government on how such a roll out of grocery store sales could be undertaken.

Some of the reports floating in the media, although from anonymous sources, seemed to be consistent and therefore caused CFIG some concern.   Those issues related to restricting the sale of beer and wine to “large supermarkets”; bringing in a system of auction fees for the right to sell beer and wine; and limiting the initial roll out to anywhere from 200 to 300 stores across the province.

CFIG took forward our concerns very clearly to a number of Ministers, MPP’s and political staff within the Government.   As well, earlier this week we met with Mr. Clark and the other members of the Premier’s Advisory Council to present our views and offer what we believe to be constructive alternatives and options.  A copy of our public submission can be attained by our members by contacting: Gary Sands, Vice-President, Public Policy: Gsands@cfig.ca.

The meeting with the Council was what we and they have both agreed to describe as a “full and frank exchange of views”.  We believe the dialogue with the Premier’s Council was positive and mutually beneficial.   We still have concerns that need further clarification, but following our meeting, the Council has expressed a strong desire to engage us in confidential discussions in the months ahead, even following the Budget.

Accordingly, they have asked us, and we have agreed, to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the Cabinet office.   While this prevents us from divulging some of the proposals being contemplated, we do believe that agreeing to non-disclosure and therefore being continually plugged into the review process, allows us to better ensure your long term interests are represented.

Let us be clear that at the end of the day, we may not agree with what and how the government decides to proceed with the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores.  We are and continue to be opposed to size restrictions for grocery stores.  We are and continue to be opposed to any expensive auction fees that would be a barrier to independents selling beer and wind.  We are and continue to be opposed to a phased approach to allowing the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores.  We believe customers should pick winners and loser.  Not the government.

Until final decisions have been made, we want to continue bringing forward constructive options and alternatives to the government.

While we are now restricted in what we can divulge, we continue to welcome your input, comments and suggestions.   As well, over the next few weeks we will be asking you for information that will assist us in our deliberations or has been a specific question raised by the Premier’s Council.

To that end, we need you to respond to the following questions as soon as possible.

Send an e-mail to Gary Sands: gsands@cfig.ca:

1)How many square feet of retail selling space is your store? If more than one, please provide that information for all stores.

2)What is the population size of the community in which your store is located?

3) If you were offered the opportunity to sell local craft beers and Ontario wines, what percentage of your overall beer and wine shelf space would you dedicate to those local products?

Thank you for taking the time to respond to us and supporting us in this process.

We truly appreciate your ongoing support through your membership.