Ontario Premier Doug Ford says promoting off surplus American alcohol for charity is “not as straightforward because it sounds,” knocking again a suggestion he ought to achieve this to lift funds for meals banks.
The Liberals had referred to as on the province to promote the U.S. alcohol it pulled from the cabinets of the LCBO earlier this 12 months, arguing it was higher to make some cash for charity than let it’s spoiled and go to waste.
The premier had stated he would take a look at the thought and, at an unrelated occasion on Monday, he stated he was frightened the surge in demand for the prohibited drinks might damage home enterprise.
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“I’m not doing that through the Christmas holidays when it’ll damage our wineries, damage our distilleries,” he stated. “It’s simply not going to occur.”
The thought was first floated by the Ontario Liberals within the ultimate days of the legislature’s fall sitting.
“Instead of letting all that American liquor — which taxpayers already paid for — accumulate mud in a warehouse, let’s promote it and donate the income to Ontario’s meals banks,” a press release from the caucus stated final week.
“We will not be calling on the LCBO to make new orders. This has nothing to do with American corporations benefiting. This is just about liquidating current stock in order that extra households can eat over the vacations.”
Ford steered he could possibly be open to promoting it in one other province, however didn’t need it to detract from Ontario merchandise.
“If we will eliminate it out of the province someplace, we’ll,” he stated.
Newfoundland and Labrador introduced this month it will promote its U.S. booze for charity, becoming a member of Manitoba and Nova Scotia, that are doing the identical.
— With a file from The Canadian Press
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