Buying Beer In Canada: Grocery Store Access

Alcohol sales laws vary across Canada's provinces. In Ontario, beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails will be available in convenience and grocery stores from 2026. This change aligns with other provinces, such as Alberta, which has a privatized liquor retail industry, and Quebec, where beer and a limited selection of wine are sold in supermarkets. However, in British Columbia, the attorney general has expressed concerns about alcohol-related harms and has no plans to increase access to alcohol in grocery stores.

Beer, wine, and cider to be sold in Ontario grocery stores by 2026

Ontario is set to join other provinces in Canada, such as Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, in offering a broader selection of alcoholic beverages in convenience stores and grocery stores. This change will bring Ontario into alignment with other provinces and international norms.

Details of the Change:

Starting in January 2026, individuals in Ontario will be able to purchase beer, wine, cider, coolers, seltzers, and other low-alcohol ready-to-drink beverages at participating retailers, including convenience stores and grocery stores. This change will provide consumers with more choice, convenience, and flexibility in their alcohol purchases.

Rules and Regulations:

Retailers selling alcohol will be required to adhere to the rules set by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, including permitted sales hours between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Additionally, certain amounts of shelf space will be dedicated to small beer and wine producers, with 40% of wine shelf space and 20% of beer and cider space allocated to local breweries and cideries.

Impact on the Alcohol Retail Landscape:

The change will significantly impact the alcohol retail landscape in Ontario. It is estimated that up to 8,500 new stores will be selling alcohol by 2026, including approximately 6,700 convenience stores and 1,800 grocery stores. This increase in retailers will give Ontario the third-highest density of alcohol retail stores in Canada.

Health and Safety Concerns:

The expansion of alcohol sales has raised concerns among health and safety advocates. Critics argue that increased availability of alcohol may lead to higher consumption rates and potential negative impacts on public health and safety. In response, the Ontario government has committed to investing an additional $10 million over five years to support public health efforts and address alcohol-related harms.

The decision to allow the sale of beer, wine, and cider in Ontario grocery and convenience stores by 2026 is a significant shift in the province's alcohol sales regulations. This change aims to provide consumers with more convenience and choice while also promoting local producers. However, the potential health and safety implications have sparked ongoing discussions and the need for careful monitoring as the new system is implemented.

Alcohol sales rules vary across Canada's provinces

In British Columbia, beer, wine, and spirits are sold in provincially-owned and private liquor stores, and craft beer can be purchased at a brewery. While local wine has been permitted in select supermarkets since 2015, the attorney general of B.C. has stated that the government has no plans to make it easier for people to buy alcohol by increasing options in grocery stores, citing concerns about alcohol-related harms.

Alberta has a privatized liquor retail industry, with 2,400 retailers overseen and regulated by the province. Liquor is also sold at some 7-11 retail stores. Saskatchewan allows alcohol sales by licensed retailers, including standalone stores or businesses attached to permitted restaurants. In smaller communities, businesses can sell alcohol alongside unrelated products as long as they have a liquor license.

Manitoba has a mix of private and public channels for alcohol sales. In urban areas, government-run stores offer a full range of products, while there are also private beer and wine vendors. These government-run stores include small "express" boutiques inside some large grocery stores. In rural and northern communities, private vendors sell a full range of products.

Quebec sells beer and a limited selection of wine—imported in bulk and bottled in Quebec—in supermarkets and convenience stores. Liquor and most wine are available only through the province's liquor corporation, the SAQ. New Brunswick also has a provincial liquor corporation that oversees sales of all alcohol, with wine sold in some grocery stores since 2014.

Prince Edward Island sells liquor, beer, and wine in 18 corporate retail outlets and 12 liquor agency stores, with most liquor agencies having other complementary retail onsite. Nova Scotia offers beer, wine, and spirits at provincially-owned liquor-store outlets and some private wine and specialty stores. Newfoundland and Labrador sell liquor, beer, and wine at provincially-owned liquor store outlets, and locally made beer is available in various convenience stores.

British Columbia's attorney general opposes easier access to alcohol

In Canada, the sale of alcohol is regulated by individual provinces. In British Columbia, the attorney general, David Eby, has expressed opposition to making alcohol more accessible in the province. Here is a detailed overview of the context and reasons behind this stance:

British Columbia's current alcohol sales regulations:

In British Columbia (B.C.), the sale of alcohol is permitted in provincially-owned and private liquor stores. Additionally, craft beer can be purchased directly from breweries, and select supermarkets are allowed to sell local wine, following a change in regulations in 2015. This change was implemented by the previous B.C. Liberal government as part of a comprehensive review of outdated and inefficient liquor laws.

Opposition to easier access to alcohol:

Despite calls for increased accessibility, particularly for local beer in grocery stores, the B.C. government, through Attorney General David Eby, has stated that it has no plans to expand alcohol availability in the province. Eby emphasized that the government's priority is not to increase the number of outlets or enhance the availability of alcohol. This stance was reaffirmed in 2024, with Eby stating that the decision is a matter of responsibility and public health.

Reasons for opposition:

The primary reason for the B.C. government's opposition to easier access to alcohol is the significant impact of alcohol-related harms on the province's residents. B.C. has the highest rate of alcohol-related hospitalizations in Canada, with 361 hospitalizations per 100,000 people between 2017 and 2018. The attorney general recognizes that increasing alcohol availability will likely lead to a rise in hospitalizations and public costs associated with problematic alcohol use. Additionally, Eby stated that the province had already reluctantly increased alcohol availability by allowing imported wine and ciders in grocery stores due to a trade agreement (CUSMA) with the United States and Mexico.

Context in other Canadian provinces:

The discussion around alcohol accessibility in B.C. occurs amidst varying approaches to alcohol sales across Canada. For example, Ontario has announced plans to allow the sale of wine, beer, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails in convenience and grocery stores by 2026. This aligns with practices in other provinces like Alberta, which has a privatized liquor retail industry, and Quebec, where beer and a limited selection of wine are sold in supermarkets. However, concerns about increased alcohol availability have also been raised in Ontario, with Toronto's medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, warning of potential negative impacts on public health and safety.

Alcohol sales expansion in Ontario grocery stores

The Ontario provincial government has announced that it will allow the sale of wine, beer, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails in all grocery and convenience stores from January 1, 2026. This move will bring Ontario in line with other provinces and the rest of the world, where such sales are commonplace. The expanded marketplace will give people more choice, convenience, and flexibility.

Alcohol sales in Ontario

Currently, in Ontario, alcohol is sold in provincially-owned and private liquor stores, with spirits available only through provincial liquor board outlets. The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) will remain a public asset and will continue to operate as a retailer and a wholesaler to the new marketplace. The Beer Store will continue to be responsible for beer distribution to retailers, bars, and restaurants until at least 2031. Additionally, it will maintain its province-wide recycling program for alcoholic beverage containers.

Concerns and criticism

The expansion of alcohol sales in Ontario has faced criticism and raised concerns among certain groups. The Retail Council of Canada, representing large grocery chains, expressed disappointment with the deal, calling it a "sweetheart deal" for multinational beer companies. Additionally, public health organizations like the Ontario Public Health Association and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health have warned of potential negative consequences, including increased alcohol consumption, addiction, social harms, and public health risks.

Benefits and economic impact

The Ontario government has emphasized that the expansion will provide consumers with more choice and convenience. It is also expected to support economic growth for local businesses, particularly local breweries and wineries. The competitive marketplace will offer benefits such as competitive retail pricing and greater accessibility for consumers.

Beer, wine, and spirits sales in British Columbia

The regulations regarding alcohol sales in British Columbia have been a topic of discussion and debate. Brewers in the province have expressed their desire to see local beer included in grocery stores, especially since imported wines have been given precedence over homegrown products. However, the B.C. government, particularly the attorney general, has been firm in their stance against increasing the accessibility of alcohol. They have cited concerns about the negative impact on public health and the already high alcohol-related hospitalization rates in the province.

In contrast to British Columbia's approach, other provinces in Canada have implemented different policies regarding alcohol sales. For example, Alberta has a privatized liquor retail industry with numerous retailers overseen by the province. Quebec allows beer and a limited selection of wine to be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores, while liquor and most wines are available only through the provincial liquor corporation, known as the SAQ.

While some consumers in British Columbia may appreciate greater access to alcohol, the government has maintained its position on prioritizing public health over convenience. The province is already dealing with high alcohol-related hospitalization rates and the associated costs, so any changes to alcohol sales regulations are carefully considered to balance consumer demands and public health concerns.

In summary, beer, wine, and spirits sales in British Columbia are primarily conducted through provincially-owned and private liquor stores, with some exceptions for wine sales in select grocery stores. The province has expressed a commitment to responsible alcohol sales, focusing on prevention and addressing existing alcohol-related issues.

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