Ford government plan would cut good jobs, harm the community, and raise beer prices

Campbellville, Ont. – May 10, 2019 – UFCW Canada Local 12R24 has launched a campaign to raise public awareness about the high costs to beer lovers, communities, and taxpayers if Premier Ford continues to use alcohol retailing to distract voters from more urgent problems like health and education cuts.

Ontarians will pay more for beer and put 7,000 good union jobs at risk with the PC government’s plan to sell alcohol in corner stores, even though Premier Doug Ford promised no one would lose their job. Local 12R24 members are well trained and committed to selling alcohol by making social responsibility their top priority.

“The Ford government is creating chaos for communities by pushing ahead with corner store beer sales,” says Local 12R24 President John Nock. “Right now, beer prices before taxes in Ontario are among the lowest in Canada due to our efficient distribution system to outlets that are equipped to handle beer safely. Study after study has shown that beer prices will rise due to higher distribution costs and the usual convenience store markups. That is what happened in Alberta when it privatized alcohol sales, which Doug Ford’s $1,000-a-day alcohol consultant Ken Hughes knows too well because he profited from it as a partner in Alberta Spirits Inc.”

The Beer Store keeps beer prices low, but it is government taxes that make it look expensive at the cash till. “If the government really wants to lower beer prices, it would reduce Ontario taxes, which are among the highest in Canada,” says President Nock. “It’s definitely not ‘for the people.’”

Ontario taxpayers could also take a $1 billion hit if the Ford government breaks its agreement on beer retailing with 31 brewers. “The Ford government’s obsession with beer in corner stores could directly result in a billion dollars in taxpayer funds being tossed out the window. That would affect all Ontarians and damage our health and education system,” says the Local 12R24 president.

Take action. Sign the petition and tell the Ford government to drop its plan that would cut good union jobs, harm the community, and raise beer prices.

You can listen to some of the campaign advertisements here.