Ontario has no plans to sell off stored U.S. alcohol for charity, Ford says

Toronto

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his government has no plans to sell off U.S. alcohol stocks stored in warehouses to benefit charities during the holidays, fearing it could harm local producers.

Liberals propose selling booze pulled from LCBO shelves amid US tariffs to charities and food banks

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Rows of bottles sit on a shelf in front of a sign that says
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pulled American alcohol from LCBO shelves in March in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods. (Tina McKenzie/CBC)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his government has no plans to sell off U.S. alcohol stocks stored in warehouses to benefit charities during the holidays, fearing it could harm local producers.

The provincial Liberals are pushing for Ford to direct the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to sell the booze and donate the proceeds to charities such as food banks.

In March, Ford pulled American alcohol from LCBO shelves in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian products.

About $80 million is in storage, and about $2 million could expire in the next six months.

Today, Ford says it's not as easy as it sounds, and he doesn't want to sell it during the Christmas holidays because it could discourage people from buying local Ontario alternatives.

The premier said he would consider the move if alcohol could be sold outside the province.

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