TORONTO, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the province to stop plans to impose a new tax that will see the price of beer rise in Ontario. At a Thursday afternoon news conference, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that the province would be imposing a new tax that will apply to all beer sold in the province. The Beer Store will be allowed to pass this cost on to consumers starting in 2017.
“Kathleen Wynne’s tax on beer shows just how out of touch this premier is,” said CTF Ontario Director Christine Van Geyn. “Premier Wynne has created a $10.9 billion deficit, and now is taxing just about everything so she can support her spending habit.”
The province is also granting 450 licenses to grocery stores to sell beer in single bottles and six packs. The Beer Store will keep its monopoly on sales of 24-cases, but will be required to give more shelf space to small brewers. Beer sales will continue to be prohibited in convenience stores in Ontario, and licenses to sell beer will likely go to those large grocery chains that can pay top dollar. The hours of sale for beer will not change, even in grocery stores. That means beer will still not be available after 6 P.M. on Sundays.
“Any time this Premier announces a new policy initiative, it seems like she’s asking herself how she can squeeze more cash out of taxpayers,” said Van Geyn. “It’s enough to drive one to drink. And unfortunately, now that will cost us even more.”
Christine Van Geyn, CTF Ontario Director
