With the LCBO strike in effect, you might be wondering where you can grab your boozy drinks this summer. The Government of Ontario has just launched an interactive map to help you find local retailers selling alcoholic beverages.
The map features over 1,000 local Ontario breweries, wineries, wine shops and distilleries, as well as other stores such as LCBO Convenience Outlets, The Beer Store and licensed grocery stores offering a variety of local and imported products.
"This new map is a great way to connect people across the province to local Ontario-made products and support the hundreds of Ontario businesses and thousands of Ontario workers who make these products and serve customers each and every day," Premier Doug Ford said in a press release.
To use the map, you can input your location and the type of alcoholic beverage that you are looking for. The map will then display nearby open retailers, helping you locate your favourite drink.
The map will be continue to be updated as alcohol becomes available at more licensed grocery and convenience stores. LCBO stores will also be added to the map once they reopen.
On July 5, 2024, LCBO workers commenced a 14-day strike following concerns over the company's "long-term sustainability," according to a press release. This marks the first strike in the company's history.
Disputes between The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents LCBO workers, and the Ontario government began after the province announced in May that was expanding the alcohol beverage marketplace. This expansion aims to make select types of alcoholic beverages available in convenience and grocery stores as well as big-box grocery stores.
LCBO workers are seeking wage increases, better access to benefits for casual employees, the conversion of casual jobs to full-time positions, improvements to severance provisions and more, according to a statement made by the company.
During the LCBO strike, you can still order beverages online. If OPSEU remains on strike after the 2-week time period, 32 LCBO retail stores will start to re-open and will offer in-store shopping three days a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) with limited hours.
According to the Ontario government, the LCBO remains the only place where you can purchase spirits such as vodka, gin and whiskey, aside from distillery retail stores and LCBO Convenience Outlets.
You can find local alcohol retailers near you by using this new interactive map.
