Restaurants Canada Welcomes Change of Course for Alcohol Distribution During LCBO Labour Dispute
14 July 2024 - 10:35PM
With more than 38,0000 restaurants and bars, Ontario proudly boasts
an estimated 14,000 restaurant and bar locations that serve
alcohol. With summer in full-swing, the next month and a half
represent a critical make-or-break window for businesses who offer
LCBO purchased products who are highly dependent on tourists,
sports spectators, patio visitors, vacationers, and after-work
crowds to make their year profitable. While we
remain hopeful that the strike will end soon, Restaurants Canada
has called on the Government of Ontario and the LCBO to make it
their top priority to ensure that they dedicate the maximum amount
possible of their limited resources toward protecting Ontario’s
restaurants, bars, as well as the employees, suppliers, and
visitors who depend on them for their
livelihoods. We cannot yet determine the full
impact of the union’s efforts to disrupt LCBO services or other
factors on product availability and delivery to licensees. However,
restaurants and bars attempting to restock are consistently finding
the products they need out of stock or extremely limited
availability, with only a small selection of products available at
any given time.
We have voiced the experiences, concerns, frustrations, and
outright fears of our members as we move well into the second week
of a strike. As we approach a critical phase where demand from
restaurants and bars will rapidly increase, our industry needs to
know that the contingency plan will be effective.
Today’s announcement by the Government of Ontario reassures
our members that they have been heard. Restaurants Canada
appreciates that limited resources will now be directed towards
safeguarding vulnerable businesses. We extend our gratitude to the
government and LCBO for their responsiveness.
Licensees will have received a communication from the LCBO today
telling them about the new system for accessing products. Any
restaurant or bar with specific questions can reach out
to licensee@lcbo.com for direct assistance.
“Over the course of the weekend, we have remained in close
communication with the LCBO and government officials to address the
challenges our sector is facing due to the LCBO strike. I am
appreciative of Premier Ford and Minister Bethlenfalvy for
listening to our concerns and recognizing the importance of
prioritizing our sector,” said Kelly Higginson, President &
CEO, Restaurants Canada. “While it will not be business as
usual and we expect continued challenges due to the strike, both
the LCBO and the Government of Ontario are actively working to find
solutions to the issues impacting our access to products, said
Higginson.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and maintain
ongoing communication with our members to ensure we are informed of
any significant issues that may arise as the industry adjusts to
the revised LCBO service plans.
Annette Goerner
Restaurants Canada
613-818-6941
media@restaurantscanada.org