“We keep pointing out to myopic Ontario politicians that the operative word for convenience stores in Ontario is the word “convenience.” The idea is that these convenience stores can be a convenient place to get supplies of beer and wine. Yes, it will be slightly more expensive but do not forget what the extra charge is for: convenience.” Babel-on-the-Bay, Jul. 21, 2012
“Booze in the corner stores is about convenience, not reduced prices, Tory Leader Tim Hudak said Wednesday.” Toronto Star, Dec, 6, 2012.
Ontario Opposition Leader Tiny Tim Hudak might have picked up some of his ideas from Babel-on-the-Bay. It hardly wins our vote. What is really amusing about the entire dialogue is the knee-jerk reaction of the Toronto Star.
You can admire the Toronto Star when it goes on a crusade such as for autism recently. You always assume in those situations that the Star might be weighing its opinions on the side of those afflicted but you welcome the attention the editors are paying to them.
But you wonder where the hell they are going when they take after casinos and demon rum. You would swear that the Toronto Star at one Yonge Street is the new headquarters of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. They use the same biased arguments. They make the same inane claims. They seem to forget many of the basics of good journalism.
The guys who have to walk and chew gum at the same time on the booze issue are the New Democrats. Unionized LCBO employees and Beer Store drudges are going to expect their support. Frankly there is room for the Beer Stores and Brewers Retail to stay in the distribution and recycling business but we are hardly going to insist on unionizing the convenience stores in Ontario. They might no longer be convenient.
Opening up liquor sales to grocery stores is a great opportunity to negotiate better wages and working conditions in that industry. The government will have an obligation to inspect and regulate some aspects of this business and you do not expect to see high school students stocking shelves with scotch and giving advice to liquor customers.
Convenience stores will also find that a 15-year old cannot be left in charge of a store that sells beer and wine. This is a rare opportunity to upgrade and improve an entire industry in Ontario—a step that was not taken when they were enlisted to sell lottery tickets.
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Copyright 2012 © Peter Lowry
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