It would be like a regular Beer Store — but only for craft beer.

Craft brewers and cideries in Ontario would be able to sell each others’ products under a private members’ bill reintroduced Thursday by Progressive Conservative MPP Todd Smith.

The same rules would apply for Ontario wineries and craft distillers, said Smith, whose bill will put more pressure on Premier Kathleen Wynne as she ponders how to ease restrictions on alcohol sales at the Beer Store and LCBO in the spring budget.

“I’m curious to see what the government does,” said Smith, whose riding of Prince Edward-Hastings includes the popular wine region south of Belleville, along with a handful of cider makers and distilleries.

Smith’s bill was passed on second reading with Liberal support over NDP objections and will go to the legislature’s finance committee for further study.

It also won a measure of support from the Ontario Craft Brewers.

“I don’t see a problem with it,” said association president Cam Heaps of Steam Whistle Brewing. “I don’t know how many brewers would sell others’ beer. I’m most interested in removing the wall of the Beer Store.”

Richard Linley of the Wine Council of Ontario said “our No.1 priority is to develop new retail channels for wines in addition to the LCBO.”

Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the government is waiting to hear the advice of a panel appointed to maximize the province’s assets, including the alcohol distribution system.

Smith’s bill to amend the Liquor Control Act would also allow beer and cider makers to pool resources regionally for sales, shipping and warehousing, with wineries and distilleries doing the same.

“It’s actually a greener way,” Smith told a news conference, noting it’s also “a way to share the costs.”

The alcohol producers would have to make their own agreements on selling each others’ products, potentially creating more than “40 mini craft beer stores across Ontario,” he added.

As regulations now stand, brewers, wineries and distillers can only sell their own products on their premises.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Smith said craft brewers find it too expensive to list their products in Beer Stores — even with recent modifications made by the three international brewers that own the chain — and wineries have a difficult time getting shelf space for many of their products at LCBO stores.

The government has come under pressure for arrangements that allow Beer Stores to sell the majority of beer in the province with LCBO outlets limited to six packs.