LCBO strike brings surge of liquor sales for Brockville, Ont. brewery
For the third day in a row, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) had all locations in Brockville, Ont. and the rest of the province closed after its employees went on strike this weekend.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
All 669 retail stores across Ontario closed on Friday due to stalled contract negotiations between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the provincial government.
Shoppers in Ottawa have the option of going across the bridge to Quebec to buy spirits at the SAQ, Quebec's provincially-run liquor board, but in Brockville, that isn’t a realistic option.
For many local breweries and distilleries in the city, it's been a busy weekend.
"It is definitely a boost. We will take the clientele wherever we can." said Cassidy King, a server with 1000 Islands Brewing Co.
The brewery, located on King St. West, brews and sells its own beer. With sprits nearly impossible to purchase without an LCBO open, the brewery's house-made vodka has been flying off the shelves this weekend.
King says customers have been surprised when they find out the restaurant sells their own liquor in addition to beer.
"It's nice to see people coming in here," she said. "Generally people didn't really know that we sold our own stuff until they came in and realized."
The brewery says it is still receiving products from the LCBO, but like other restaurants, it stocked up before the strike began on Friday.
LCBO retail locations are expected to stay closed for at least 14 days, though convenience outlets in smaller communities will remain open and online ordering is available with product limits in place.
With files from The Canadian Press
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike
Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week.
Canada's homicide rate down in most provinces, with 2 exceptions
The homicide rate is declining in Canada, and the country's three largest cities all saw double-digit percentage decreases in homicides per capita, according to data released this week.
'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves
Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump's promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance.
'Little girl deserves justice': Gallery erupts in anger as charges stayed against driver who killed child
In a tense courtroom, a judge stayed the charge against a Saskatoon woman who hit and killed a nine-year-old girl.
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Here are the Canadian cities where snow has been a sure thing
With fewer than two weeks remaining until Christmas Day, weather forecasts and snowfall projections are starting to take shape but have yet to be finalized for cities across Canada.
Skier who went missing at Sun Peaks Resort found dead
In a tragic turn of events, the 68-year-old man who went missing while skiing at Sun Peaks Resort earlier this week has been found dead, the RCMP confirmed Friday.
Mysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon
Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show.
'He was done with shopping': Video shows dog laying on horn in B.C. mall parking lot
Malls can be hectic around the holidays, and sometimes you just can't wait to get home – whether you're on two legs or four.
Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the upcoming fall economic statement on Monday will remove the cap that currently restricts Canadian pension funds from owning more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of a Canadian entity.
Atlantic
-
P.E.I. RCMP looking for man who reportedly jumped from Confederation Bridge
Multiple police and search and rescue teams are looking for a man who reportedly jumped from the Confederation Bridge Friday morning.
-
Nova Scotia non-profit groups trying to save huge Acadian church now facing lawsuit
The Roman Catholic Church in southwestern Nova Scotia has filed a lawsuit against two non-profit groups trying to save a historic deconsecrated Acadian church.
-
Man charged with manslaughter in death of missing Cape Breton man
A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the disappearance and homicide of a man in Cape Breton this past summer.
Toronto
-
'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves
Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump's promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance.
-
Top musician forced to cancel Toronto concert after Air Canada refused to give his priceless cello a seat on plane
Famed British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who became a household name after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has said he had to cancel a concert in Canada after the country’s largest airline denied his pre-booked seat for his cello.
-
Man charged with using explosives in fire that caused $3 million in damage to Mississauga building
A man has been charged with using explosives in connection with a fire in Mississauga that caused $3 million in damage to a building housing high-end vehicles on Sunday.
Montreal
-
Quebec, Ottawa announce $100-million deal to fight homelessness, add shelter spaces
Ottawa and Quebec announced an agreement Friday to help unhoused Quebecers as homeless encampments continue to multiply in the province and frigid weather sets in.
-
Two Montreal anesthesiologists suspended for questionable practices: College of Physicians
Two anesthesiologists at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital were brought before the Quebec College of Physicians disciplinary board for questionable practices and were suspended.
-
Lawyers in Quebec class actions seek $906M in fees for work in landmark tobacco case
Lawyers representing tens of thousands of Quebecers in two class-action lawsuits against three major tobacco manufacturers will seek to receive more than $900 million in fees for their work in the landmark case that has spanned decades.
Northern Ontario
-
Outpouring of support for woman shot at northern Ont. bank
There has been an outpouring of support for a woman who was shot at a northern Ontario bank on Thursday.
-
One dead after single vehicle rollover in northern Ontario
A 65-year-old man from northern Ontario has died after a single-vehicle rollover Thursday evening near Temiskaming Shores.
-
Buckingham Palace maid arrested after drunken brawl at work Christmas party
Buckingham Palace is investigating after a member of staff was arrested at the end of a rowdy Christmas party.
Windsor
-
11 dogs dead, 8 more under Animal Welfare care following canine parvovirus outbreak in Windsor
Ontario's Animal Welfare Service is investigating a deadly outbreak of canine parvovirus after several dogs became ill earlier this month.
-
-
London
-
Lumber mill levelled by mid-morning blaze
A lumber mill is in ruins following a fire east of Wingham, Ont.
-
'Where are we supposed to go?': Emotional reaction to Ford government’s hard line on encampments
There was no shortage of reaction to Premier Doug Ford’s plan to take a hard line on homeless encampments and public drug use.
-
A call for more people to volunteer at the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles
Officials with the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Campaign say they need more volunteers to reach their holiday goal.
Kitchener
-
School warns parents of possible scarlet fever case in Waterloo, Ont.
There are new concerns surrounding a highly contagious infection after a suspected case of scarlet fever was reported at a school in Waterloo, Ont.
-
This little piggy went to the humane society
The Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth Humane Society has an unusual animal up for adoption after it was found wandering the streets.
-
Guelph Storm forward, former Kitchener Ranger and Baden-born player make World Juniors team
Local hockey fans will have plenty to watch when the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship gets underway on Boxing Day.
Barrie
-
South Simcoe police mourn death of officer facing discreditable conduct charges
The South Simcoe Police Service is mourning the passing of one of its officers.
-
Gravenhurst turns tide on dig out 2 weeks after state of emergency declaration
The Town of Gravenhurst remains in recovery mode after record snowfalls this month, but there is reason to be optimistic.
-
Student charged with explosives-related offence in Kawartha Lakes
Provincial police in Kawartha Lakes charged a student following a report that someone brought an unknown substance into a school.
Winnipeg
-
'Should be a concern': The Boyd Building put on the endangered list
A Winnipeg building is on the endangered list.
-
'It's crunch time': Businesses opting to hand deliver orders amid Canada Post strike
Even if the Canada Post strike were to end today, it wouldn’t be enough to salvage the holiday season for local businesses, according to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
-
'There's nothing more enjoyable': Winter sports in full force after snow and cold hits Manitoba
Winter sport enthusiasts rejoice, with plenty of snow and cold weather in the last few days, the conditions are perfect to hit the slopes, trails or rinks.
Calgary
-
Widow of pedestrian hit and killed on Elbow Drive supports crosswalk changes
The wife of a Calgary man killed while crossing the road in a marked intersection is pushing for flashing lights to be installed.
-
Alberta's new CTrain Green Line plan includes elevated downtown tracks, more stops
The province has released a “reimagined” plan for the Green Line CTrain track that it says is longer and less expensive than what the City of Calgary had planned.
-
Calgary's striking Canada Post workers disappointed in Ottawa's intervention
The Canada Post workers strike that has halted mail and parcel delivery before the holidays could be coming to an end as the federal government looks to intervene.
Edmonton
-
Baby found in south Edmonton parking lot died before birth
The baby found in a south Edmonton parking lot last weekend died before birth.
-
'Help them along the way': Widow says MAID program working as province explores adding limitations, increasing oversight
The Government of Alberta is exploring the idea of introducing limitations and provincial oversight to medical assistance in death.
-
Killing in central Edmonton was domestic violence incident: police
One person is facing murder charges in connection with a death in central Edmonton last weekend.
Regina
-
Concern for mandatory neck guards after Churchbridge player faces near fatal accident
Discussions on neck guards being mandatory for hockey players has come to light after a recent senior hockey player in east-central Saskatchewan experienced a near fatal accident.
-
'Lifeblood of this campus': University non-profits face uncertainty following students' union proposal
The future of three non-profit organizations at the University of Regina (U of R) is uncertain following a proposal by the students’ union (URSU).
-
Five Sask. players named to 2025 Canada's World Junior squad
Five Saskatchewan connections have been named to Canada’s U20 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship roster.
Saskatoon
-
'Little girl deserves justice': Gallery erupts in anger as charges stayed against driver who killed child
In a tense courtroom, a judge stayed the charge against a Saskatoon woman who hit and killed a nine-year-old girl.
-
'What are we doing today?': STC Chief wants immediate action on homelessness
A day after city council voted to commit more than $5 million to address homeless shelter and encampment concerns, Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand says current plans fall short of what’s needed.
-
Concern for mandatory neck guards after Churchbridge player faces near fatal accident
Discussions on neck guards being mandatory for hockey players has come to light after a recent senior hockey player in east-central Saskatchewan experienced a near fatal accident.
Vancouver
-
Broadway Plan changes include higher towers, proposal to strengthen tenant protections
Vancouver city council has approved amendments to a 30-year plan along the Broadway corridor.
-
'I feel like I belong': Why TV legend Mike McCardell finally decided to become a Canadian citizen
Retired award-winning broadcaster Mike McCardell was among nearly 70 people taking the oath of Canadian Citizenship in downtown Vancouver Friday.
-
Are bigger, better vessels coming to BC Ferries? Why critics are questioning the proposal
BC Ferries is taking a step forward in its plan to build five new vessels, but critics say the proposal could be steering the province into troubled waters.
Vancouver Island
-
Are bigger, better vessels coming to BC Ferries? Why critics are questioning the proposal
BC Ferries is taking a step forward in its plan to build five new vessels, but critics say the proposal could be steering the province into troubled waters.
-
Some B.C. business owners frustrated with GST holiday rollout
On the eve of the Goods and Services Tax holiday, some British Columbia businesses are frustrated with how this process has played out.
-
New military vessel launched in B.C. bears illustrious naval name
A Canadian Navy vessel with the name HMCS Protecteur will again set sail, nearly a decade after the last supply ship with its respected legacy was taken out of service.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
