Re: Last call for this deal, Editorial Jan. 21

Last call for this deal, Editorial Jan. 21

The announcement that the Beer Store will include Ontario breweries in its ownership is just window-dressing, as the majority owners, the large international brewers, will control pricing, display and marketing of beer.

To balance the ability to market beer, the Ontario government should do for beer what it has already done for Ontario wine, that is allow boutiques selling Ontario products in grocery stores, but in this case, beer boutiques, not wine boutiques.

These boutiques would be individually free to set displays, set price, be open when the grocery store is open, and promote select products.

In this way the Ontario beer industry would be served, as would the Ontario citizen.

John Graham, Stouffville

Opening Beer Store ownership to Ontario brewers is worth toasting, but with a mid-range bottle. Brewers are fully entitled to profit competitively from the production of their products. There are significant public interest concerns from distribution forward to consumption.

Having specialized outlets for alcohol reminds the shopper, and the voter, “This stuff is different, it affects everybody, don’t treat it lightly.”

It’s a utility facade over the Beer Store’s private ownership. Wider private ownership has some advantages, but other retailers will still want in, and politicians will still seek their cut.

The best possible future sees Ontario’s liquor retail operated by the purchasers themselves, in one or more co-operatives. Drinkers (and others) already own the LCBO, we just don’t manage it in a straightforward way.

The Beer Store shouldn’t be selling nearly voteless preferred shares to Ontario brewers. It should be selling voting memberships to the folks standing in line.

Kirk Zurell, Kitchener

I have always been oblivious to any profiteering at the Beer Store. In fact, were it not for the double page advertisements in major Toronto papers, my mind would still be happily engaged with the suds without a thought given to which corporate coffers receive my hard earned cash. Behind the loud protestations from the owners lurks a fear of profit loss.

Let’s raise a glass to fair market practises where small breweries have a chance to provide their brews to the public on an equal footing.

Peter Reitsma, Milton

So the province hopes to implement “franchise fee” on the breweries. OntarioBeerFact.ca states the average selling price expressed as 24 equivalent is $33.31. They also state the total tax paid on this beer is 44 per cent, or $14.66.

Is that not enough tax for this government? When is enough?

Brent Blackburn, Orangeville