Corner stores across Ontario are now legally allowed to sell certain types of alcohol. Here's what you should know about the province's rules around booze in convenience stores:
- Some 4,200 convenience stores out of the estimated 10,000 such outlets across Ontario have been issued licences to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails.
- Convenience stores can only sell alcohol from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.
- Corner store staff must be trained to sell alcohol from an approved training outfit such as SmartServe.
- If a customer appears to be younger than 19 – the legal age for buying alcohol in Ontario – staff must ask for valid identification.
- Stores cannot sell alcohol to those who are, or appear to be, intoxicated.
- Beer, wine, cider and pre-mixed cocktails sold in corner stores must contain 7.1 per cent alcohol volume or less.
- Wine must contain no more than 18.1 per cent alcohol by volume.
- At least 20 per cent of containers of beer, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails on display must be produced by small Ontario breweries, cideries and distilleries.
- At least 10 per cent of wine on display must come from small Ontario wineries.
- Samples of beer, wine, ciders and cocktails are not permitted.
- Convenience stores can offer delivery of alcohol so long as it comes from their in-store stock.
- Convenience stores do not have to accept empties or provide refunds, but must post the nearest location where those can be returned.
- The Beer Store will continue to run its provincewide recycling program until at least 2031.
- Stores can lose their license for violating rules.
- In mid-July, previously licensed grocery stores that sold beer, cider or wine were able to begin selling ready-to-drink cocktails
- By Oct. 31, grocery and big-box stores will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails that includes large pack sizes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2024.
The Canadian Press