New map to connect people to locally made products - support hundreds of Ontario businesses

By Staff

July 8th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

The push is on – from the Premier himself no less.

This summer, there are still thousands of places people can buy their favourite beer, cider, wine or even spirits across Ontario. To help consumers connect with local retailers and producers close to home during the ongoing OPSEU strike, the province has launched a new searchable and interactive map of retailers that remain open and ready to serve. These retailers include more than 1,000 local Ontario breweries, wineries, wine shops and distilleries, in addition to other retailers such as LCBO Convenience Outlets, The Beer Store and licenced grocery stores that sell a range of Ontario-made 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,” said Premier Doug Ford. “It also supports our plan to offer consumers the kind of choice and convenience available to other Canadians when purchasing alcoholic beverages, starting later this summer. I hope people across the province will take this chance to shop local and responsibly enjoy some great Ontario-made products!”

The new convenient and easy-to-use map can help users find a location that sells beer, wine, cider, spirits or ready-to-drink beverages. The map will be updated regularly as alcohol sales are expanded to more licensed grocery and convenience stores. As LCBO retail stores re-open, these will also be added to the map.

“Our government is delivering on its commitment to expand the province’s beverage alcohol retail marketplace to increase choice and convenience for shoppers earlier than planned,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Ontario can rest assured there are more options to purchase than ever before, thanks to the government’s bold plan to modernize alcohol sales.”

As announced in May 2024, Ontario is expanding the province’s alcohol beverage marketplace in phases to allow convenience, grocery and big-box grocery stores to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, such as coolers, hard seltzers or other premixed cocktails.