TORONTO - Large convenience store chains will make another pitch today to allow them to sell beer and wine, but Ontario's Liberal government says it is not interested.
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association -- which includes Avondale, 7-11 and Mac's as well as Petro-Canada, Imperial Oil and Canadian Tire -- wants to sell local wines and craft beers.
Finance Minister Charles Sousa says while the Liberals plan to put LCBO outlets in some grocery stores, they won't allow sales of beer and wine in corner stores.
Sousa says the Liberals will stick with existing plans, in part because government-run liquor stores and the foreign-owned Beer Store do a good job of keeping minors from buying booze.
The Progressive Conservatives have released a white paper calling for the expansion of beer and wine sales to privately-owned retail outlets.
But the New Democrats say they support the government's position that the LCBO provides get services and product selection in a socially-responsible manner, and there's no need to expand beer and wine sales to corner stores.
