alcohol

Ontario Liberals want American alcohol that was taken off LCBO shelves earlier this year to be sold off.

Liberal House leader John Fraser suggests the proceeds could be donated to food banks.

“There are more people than ever who are going to visit food banks in Ontario this year. It’s going to be really tough. It would help a lot of people,” says Fraser.

More than $80 million worth of alcohol is sitting in a warehouse after it was removed in March in response to new U.S. tariffs that were applied to Canadian products.

Two million worth is set to expire within six months.

Other provinces also removed American alcohol products from their store shelves and have resold them for charity purposes.

“There are four provinces that are putting that surplus United States liquor to good use,” says Stephanie Bowman, Liberal Deputy House Leader.

“They’re selling it, and they’re donating the profits to support people in need, and the need in Ontario has never been greater.”

Parliamentary Assistant to the Finance Minister David Smith dismisses the idea, suggesting the sale is a support for American companies.

“To put American alcohol back on the shelves would mean we’re saying to all of those Ontario employees, you’re not valued. We want the Americans more than we want people in Ontario to work, and we disagree with that philosophy from the Liberal Party,” says Smith.

Smith notes that since the ban on American alcohol, Ontario has seen massive increases in the sale of Canadian products, including Ontario wine, which has enjoyed a 79% increase in sales.

The Liberals insist their proposal has nothing to do with American companies benefiting, but liquidating inventory to help families eat over the holidays.