LCBO outlets close at the start of the strike; some licensed establishments have already stocked up in advance

On Friday, employees of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) went on strike, resulting in the closure of all LCBO locations across the province.
LCBO stores will remain closed for at least two weeks, raising concerns among both businesses and social welfare agencies.
“We were pressured to do this by the employer and, quite frankly, by the Doug Ford government, which seems hell-bent on pushing ahead with privatization,” says Mo Marsonet, vice-president of the Liquor Board Employees Union Local 741, a branch of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
She said that last year alone, $2.5 billion in profits from LCBO sales were reinvested in public infrastructure, with much of it going to health care, education and public infrastructure.
Marsonet fears that part of the profits would be lost if the privatisation plans were to go ahead.
In recent weeks, licensed restaurants and bars in Thunder Bay have been stocking up on alcoholic products in anticipation of possible strikes.
At Madhouse, co-owner Katie Gruen said they did their best to prepare.
“We took the opportunity and stocked up as best we could, and fortunately we succeeded,” Gruen said.
“So we’re hoping we’re prepared. Either everyone else in Thunder Bay has prepared for this, or maybe they haven’t, and that will bring us business. We don’t know. I’ve never had to deal with a strike before.”
Bianca Garofalo, owner of Bight Restaurant and Bar, said stocking up on supplies for at least two weeks or more is a huge effort.
“But we did it,” she said.
“Some licensees may not have been able to do this financially and that means they could run out of supplies sooner. Hopefully the public will be patient with restaurants if they run out of their favourite wine or spirits. Supplies have been limited over the past few weeks as the province prepared for a strike.”
James Dodge, manager of the Italian Cultural Centre, said he does not believe the strike will impact business because, as a licensed establishment, the company can continue to purchase alcohol from the LCBO.
“We just have to cross the picket line. That’s our only challenge,” he said. “We’ve ordered a little bit more, nothing too crazy because I don’t know how long it’s going to go on like this, but I read that we’re allowed to cross the picket line and still pick up our orders.”
Some alcohol consumers may face challenges
For people addicted to alcohol, withdrawal can be challenging and cause potential health problems if they cannot obtain affordable alcohol.
Holly Gauvin, executive director of Elevate NWO, said people addicted to alcohol will likely find a way to get around the store closures, which could include going to beer, wine and grocery stores that sell alcohol and consuming inedible substances there.
“This is where the greatest risk lies,” said Gauvin. “Inedible substances can damage a person’s health more quickly than regular alcohol.”
Shelter House Thunder Bay operates an alcohol program that is limited to residents in the program. Detoxification is still an option, but it is difficult to get a bed because demand is high.
“There is a secure sobering center in Mattawa and of course our own drop-in center, but all of these options are limited,” Gauvin said.
“The paramedics bear the brunt of the burden, as do our police services, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and many of our community support organizations.”
Gauvin is also concerned about the picket lines at the Cumberland Street site and the potential for union members to be drawn into “something they may not fully understand.”
Shelter House executive director Brendan Carlin said they were fortunate to be well supplied with an independent wine shop for their alcohol program. He said for some people, going to a beer shop or a bar or restaurant is not affordable.
“We are more concerned about people ingesting these inedible substances and the health consequences,” Carlin said. “Our staff is always on the lookout for any health issues or symptoms or signs, and we will be especially careful over the next few weeks because there will be people ingesting things they shouldn’t be ingesting.”
He added that beer and liquor stores were considered “essential” during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained open.
“That was the reason – trips to the emergency room – so I hope our clients will be OK,” he said.

Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal