Sell beer for home consumption at Ontario bars: Proposal

Toronto, ON – Restaurants Canada today announced a proposal to the Ontario government would allow restaurants, bars and pubs to sell craft beer for home consumption, a program often referred to as off-sales.

The idea was a part of a proposal to government last spring and was subsequently sent to the Premier’s Advisory Panel on Government Assets, says Restaurants Canada.

“This is a natural evolution,” said James Rilett, Restaurants Canada’s Vice President Ontario. “Unlike grocery stores, restaurant staff are already trained to responsibly sell alcohol products. It only makes sense that they would be the first retail option to be considered.”

Rilett. “Providing a retail outlet for the products is a natural step that has been successful in other provinces,” adds Rilett.

Six provinces currently have off-sale programs: Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.