In early 2023, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his government were closing in on a framework to greenlight the sale of beer, wine and pre-mixed drinks in convenience and grocery stores across the province, finally delivering a years’ old promise.
As the policy took shape, officials reached out to stakeholders and experts to get their specialist advice on the finer points of the plan. Around April 2023, the government sat down with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Arrive Alive and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health.
A summary of the advice the Ford government received from the three groups — obtained by Global News using freedom of information laws — shows the advocacy groups and experts cautioned the province against moving too quickly, warning that making alcohol more available would come with risks.
Just over half a year later, the government announced it would allow convenience stores across Ontario to sell alcohol by 2026. Months after that, in …