Well Hudak's got my vote

WIP · December 5, 2012

You know Ontario is overwhelmingly represented by CPC MPs. Comparing Harper American Republicans is as hilarious as if I was to compare Obama to the NDP.

Harper's team early on had a number of advisory sessions with top Republican strategists like Frank Luntz. The shift from the traditional PC issues to the appeal to rightwing social concerns like nationalism, fear of crime, opposition to a gun registry, appointing a crackpot young earth creationist to run the science and technology portfolio, placing the oil...I mean tar sands industry as priority one, and the similarities to Republicans are obvious. The only difference is that, aside from Alberta and a few other places out west, Harper and Hudak's brand of conservatism doesn't have the fundagelical army of supporters to draw upon to work on behalf of the executive class, so he has to tone down any exuberant Conservative fundies who start yacking about abortion too much.

And BTW if you don't drink why should your opinion matter regarding how people obtain their alcohol? Oh and I'm assuming you support a Tobacco Control Board as well correct?

At least LCBO employees can make a decent living. How many other retail employees get payed more than minimum wage these days?

Boges · December 5, 2012

At least LCBO employees can make a decent living. How many other retail employees get payed more than minimum wage these days?

Entry level retail jobs aren't very highly skilled positions so why should they be making $20+/hour like LCBO employees do? People make money in retail when they've done it for little awhile and can move up the ladder.

The only reason the LCBO can pay such wages is because they're a monopoly and don't have to compete to sell their product. Perhaps corner store employees would see a bump in their pay if they become more profitable being able to sell Beer and Wine. But they're not unionized public servants so Bleep them right?

Edited December 5, 2012 by Boges

The_Squid · December 6, 2012

Entry level retail jobs aren't very highly skilled positions so why should they be making $20+/hour like LCBO employees do? People make money in retail when they've done it for little awhile and can move up the ladder.

The only reason the LCBO can pay such wages is because they're a monopoly and don't have to compete to sell their product. Perhaps corner store employees would see a bump in their pay if they become more profitable being able to sell Beer and Wine. But they're not unionized public servants so Bleep them right?

Here in BC there are private liquor stores competing against gov't liquor stores. Very few pay any more than normal retail. The huge profits go in the pockets of owners. I don't see anything wrong with making wages that a person can actually live on.

Wayward Son · December 6, 2012

We have a double digit billion dollar deficit. I think some Harris era ideas are required and not the spending craze of the McGuinty era when they never said no to any union for anything until September of this year.

Did you read the Drummond report? You do realize that the budget was balanced until the financial crash right? KInd of exactly like the Federal government's deficit which also remains sky high? You do realize that the Drummond report outlines how we got here, and it is not a "spending craze" but a financial crash and, according to the Drummond report, the rise of the Canadian dollar? You do realize that even with significant fiscal restraint throughout the 2000s we still would have fallen heavily into deficit because of the financial crash the rise of dollar? You do realize that the Drummond report states that government spending in Ontario has been lower then any other province except Alberta? And that Ontario has a tax burden lower then any province other then Alberta? You do realize that government spending in Ontario has increased a rate that is below the average for the provinces?

I think that Dalton McGuinty's government has been absolutely terrible. I think that his government has been possibly the most corrupt we have seen in the province. I would like the party to disintegrate into oblivion. But at the same time if Conservative supporters are going to create a fantasy land in which they refuse to accept reality or look at the problems Ontario faces in an objective, rational, evidence-based way then I don't even want to imagine how much further havoc they will subject this province too.

bleeding heart · December 6, 2012

Perhaps corner store employees would see a bump in their pay if they become more profitable being able to sell Beer and Wine.

Suuuurrrrrre they would........

bleeding heart · December 6, 2012

I don't see anything wrong with making wages that a person can actually live on.

Commie.

guyser · December 6, 2012

Having dealt with non-LCBO stores in Ontario I would have to say keep the system the way it is. Of course the LC should negotiate better prices from the wholesalers and the like.

But the selection is pretty limited in these stores relegating them to a mere convenience in case you run out. Dont get me wrong, I am glad it is there but if throwing a party or wanting something nice to drink, I will have to drive to the nearest big shop LC.

Not sure why, or if it is legal, but the store that has the small LC in it accepts beer bottle return but only gives a store credit and only valid that day. (IOW, dont return those 20 cases of beer at 5:50PM)

Edited December 6, 2012 by guyser

Black Dog · December 6, 2012

Having dealt with non-LCBO stores in Ontario I would have to say keep the system the way it is. Of course the LC should negotiate better prices from the wholesalers and the like.

But the selection is pretty limited in these stores relegating them to a mere convenience in case you run out. Dont get me wrong, I am glad it is there but if throwing a party or wanting something nice to drink, I will have to drive to the nearest big shop LC.

Not sure why, or if it is legal, but the store that has the small LC in it accepts beer bottle return but only gives a store credit and only valid that day. (IOW, dont return those 20 cases of beer at 5:50PM)

Convenience is really the only consumer benefit here. And that's if you really, really need a 12 pack of Blue after 10 p.m.

Boges · December 6, 2012

I'm more interested in having Wine at the Store. If I'm only going to buy a 6-pack, might as well buy a nicer beer. I'll buy my cheap beer in bulk at the Beer Store.

But it's easy to run out of Wine if you're having a dinner party or whatnot. Even if it's only VQA Ontario wines like at the Wine-Rack stores it'd be nice if there's a place to get it 24/7 down the block.

guyser · December 6, 2012

Convenience is really the only consumer benefit here. And that's if you really, really need a 12 pack of Blue after 10 p.m.

But none of these satellites stores are open anywhere near that hour.The one I am talking about is closed at 6 on Friday nights, 5 on Sat's. During the week, 8pm except Mon's

Boges · December 6, 2012

But none of these satellites stores are open anywhere near that hour.The one I am talking about is closed at 6 on Friday nights, 5 on Sat's. During the week, 8pm except Mon's

You talking about Wine Racks in Grocery Stores?

guyser · December 6, 2012

You talking about Wine Racks in Grocery Stores?

No , mini LCBO's selling beer wine and liquor, inside small convenience or grocery stores. Found only up north (that I know of)

Boges · December 6, 2012

No , mini LCBO's selling beer wine and liquor, inside small convenience or grocery stores. Found only up north (that I know of)

They do that because they're in Podunk towns where the LCBO can't justify putting a full store. Apparently the Lickbo Union protested them doing that.

DFCaper · December 7, 2012

No , mini LCBO's selling beer wine and liquor, inside small convenience or grocery stores. Found only up north (that I know of)

They have them throughout small towns in Ontario. And my friend who works for the LCBO is dead against them. Thinks people should be inconvinced to support her store....

Not sure why large companies should have a right to open a Wine Rack store within there store, but smaller privately own businesses are not. I guess the large corporations need the money more than the mom & pop shop who's owners live upstairs and work 80hours a week don't deserve to have a profitible business

Topaz · December 7, 2012

Seriously, is this the BEST Hudak has to offer Ontarians? I don't know what he did before politics, but he should go get re-trained and find another job. I wonder how long it would take him to get EI? He probably call Flaherty for so help there.

Fletch 27 · December 7, 2012

Seriously, is this the BEST Hudak has to offer Ontarians? I don't know what he did before politics, but he should go get re-trained and find another job. I wonder how long it would take him to get EI? He probably call Flaherty for so help there.

Not even Close! Hi BEST is stating that he will not buckle or bend to those Terrorrist Union types.. Well, he didnt say "Terrorist",, I inserted that.

I dont favor Hudak but THAT will get my vote...

I still have not managed to fing a babysitter for this Mondays strike/Action/Hostage-negotiation...

Boges · December 7, 2012

Seriously, is this the BEST Hudak has to offer Ontarians? I don't know what he did before politics, but he should go get re-trained and find another job. I wonder how long it would take him to get EI? He probably call Flaherty for so help there.

Sort of like how McGuinty ran on added an extra stat Holiday?

Boges · December 7, 2012

They have them throughout small towns in Ontario. And my friend who works for the LCBO is dead against them. Thinks people should be inconvinced to support her store....

Not sure why large companies should have a right to open a Wine Rack store within there store, but smaller privately own businesses are not. I guess the large corporations need the money more than the mom & pop shop who's owners live upstairs and work 80hours a week don't deserve to have a profitible business

Yeah people who oppose allowing other businesses to sell alcohol are very anti small business if you ask me.

guyser · December 7, 2012

They have them throughout small towns in Ontario. And my friend who works for the LCBO is dead against them. Thinks people should be inconvinced to support her store....

Isnt that nice of her.

Not sure why large companies should have a right to open a Wine Rack store within there store, but smaller privately own businesses are not. I guess the large corporations need the money more than the mom & pop shop who's owners live upstairs and work 80hours a week don't deserve to have a profitible business

Canadian Wine only, and anyone can do it, given enough funds paid out mind you

Boges · December 7, 2012

But they have to hold to the same hours as the LCBO and can't sell beer.

That being said the Loblaws in my town was giving free samples of an Irish Cream liqueur

Boges · December 20, 2012

Here's a good column from the Star saying how ridiculous the Beer Store is.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1304864--cohn-more-reasons-to-end-the-beer-store-cartel

The Beer Store is not so much a miserable retail experience as it is a misplaced wholesale encounter. In no other retail emporium on the planet (outside of North Korea) is the customer encouraged to spend so little time on the premises exploring other products, while being milked for so much money. Hence its nickname, the “In and Out Store.”
Drinkers are expected to know in advance which brand they wish to order, rather than coming in to browse through beer displays for fresh inspiration. This serves the vested interests of the major foreign-owned brewers, because they can count on their massive advertising and marketing expenditures to implant their brands in the minds of drinkers before they ever arrive at The Beer Store.

Upstart craft brewers must fight for exposure in this squeeze play: Customers are reduced to squinting at dusty wall displays of fading beer labels before placing their orders.

I'll admit the LCBO is a rather pleasant shopping experience even though you're being ripped off. But going to the Beer Store sucks.

I always find it amusing that the Top 10 board at the Beer Store include epic brands like Coors Light, Bud and Blue.

What's so wrong with these independent craft brewers being able to sell their beer elsewhere so they don't have to pay a premium to the Big Boys.

Newfoundlander · December 20, 2012

Quebec and Newfoundland are the only places in Canada you can buy beer in the grocery/corner store.

You cannot buy beer in Newfoundland and Labrador in grocery stores, though a lot have liquor stores attached to them. In the St. John's area, though I don't know if it's the case elsewhere, we don't have stand alone liquor stores, they're all attached to grocery stores and in a select few corner stores (though you can't actually buy alcohol in the grocery store). Beer is available in all, I think, corner stores.

GostHacked · December 20, 2012

I'm more interested in having Wine at the Store. If I'm only going to buy a 6-pack, might as well buy a nicer beer. I'll buy my cheap beer in bulk at the Beer Store.

But it's easy to run out of Wine if you're having a dinner party or whatnot. Even if it's only VQA Ontario wines like at the Wine-Rack stores it'd be nice if there's a place to get it 24/7 down the block.

I have started liking wine, but as long as it is a Riesling. And there are some really nice VOA ones.

One of the best I have had so far was Fielding, 2009 or 2010 (2009 is much better)

WIP · December 20, 2012

Yes, having beer and wine in every corner store is worth the cost of having a Premier who is a Harper clone, bent on busting unions in Ontario, as well as being a thinly veiled religious nutcase....who do you think did the groundwork for his surprise victory during the leadership campaign?