spirits – mackaycartoons

Friday July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday July 19, 2024

Concerns Over Ontario’s Alcohol Market Liberalization Under Doug Ford

December 15, 2023

The ongoing strike at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), coupled with Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s aggressive push to expand alcohol sales, raises significant concerns about the future of Ontario’s alcohol market and its implications for taxpayers and consumers.

The LCBO, a longstanding institution in Ontario since its establishment in the post-prohibition era, has faced criticism for its monopolistic structure and perceived inefficiencies. The strike by nearly 10,000 LCBO workers, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), underscores deep-seated concerns about job security, wages, and the broader impact of Ford’s policies.

News: Doug Ford optimistic as contract talks resume in LCBO strike

March 4, 2015

Ford’s administration has moved swiftly to accelerate the liberalization of Ontario’s alcohol sales, allowing ready-to-drink beverages in grocery stores and planning further expansions to convenience stores. While these changes were initially introduced under the previous Liberal government, Ford’s approach has sparked skepticism about the motives and potential outcomes.

September 24, 2015

Critics argue that the rapid liberalization could undermine the LCBO’s role in generating crucial revenue for public services. The LCBO annually contributes billions to Ontario’s coffers, funding essential programs in healthcare, education, and community initiatives. The fear is that privatizing alcohol sales could diminish this reliable revenue stream, leading to increased taxes or reduced services to make up for the shortfall.

Moreover, there are concerns about the beneficiaries of Ford’s policies. His track record with controversial decisions, such as alterations to the greenbelt and executive appointments, has fueled suspicions that the push to liberalize alcohol sales could primarily benefit private businesses and Ford’s political allies rather than Ontario’s residents.

News: Restaurants, bars frustrated with LCBO strike as negotiations resume

April 9, 2024

The current strike has highlighted logistical challenges, with businesses experiencing shortages and disruptions in alcohol supply. This has impacted not only consumer choice but also the economic stability of sectors reliant on alcohol sales, such as hospitality and tourism.

The question remains: Is Ontario’s alcohol market truly being modernized for the benefit of consumers and the economy, or is it a scheme that risks leaving taxpayers and consumers on the losing end? The lack of transparency and public consultation surrounding these changes adds to the skepticism.

While there may be merit in updating Ontario’s alcohol distribution system to reflect modern consumer preferences, the process must prioritize transparency, fairness, and protection of public interests. Without these assurances, the rush to dismantle the LCBO’s monopoly raises valid concerns about the future of public revenue, consumer rights, and the equitable distribution of benefits across Ontario’s communities. As the strike continues, Ontarians deserve clarity and accountability from their government to ensure that any reforms serve the public good rather than narrow private interests. (AI)

Wednesday May 12, 2021

May 19, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday May 12, 2021

What happens when people get two different COVID-19 vaccines?

As some experts continue to warn of very rare side effects associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, Canadian health officials are now reviewing the research on mixing various COVID-19 shots.

May 6, 2020

A study of a “mismatched” vaccine regimen is underway in the U.K. — but some scientists say there’s reason to believe that administering two doses of different products could boost a person’s immune response beyond what can be achieved by giving the same shot twice.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) caused some confusion earlier this month when it said the viral vector shot from AstraZeneca is not the “preferred” product given its associated risk of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) — a condition that causes blood clots. That warning came out after hundreds of thousands of Canadians had received the AstraZeneca vaccine already.

According to the Ontario Science Table, estimates of the frequency of VITT in individuals who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine now range from 1 case in 26,000 to 1 case in 127,000 doses administered.

The risk of developing this side effect, combined with an uncertain delivery schedule for future supply, has prompted some provinces to consider pausing AstraZeneca vaccinations altogether.

Researchers at Oxford University in the U.K. launched a study in early February to explore the possible benefits of alternating different COVID-19 vaccines. According to the lead scientists, the study is “looking for clues as to how to increase the breadth of protection against new virus strains.”

March 31, 2021

The study — otherwise known as the COVID-19 Heterologous Prime Boost study, or “Com-COV” — is collecting data to determine whether receiving two different types of vaccine generates an immune response at least equal to the response that follows receiving the same product twice. (A “heterologous” vaccination regimen is one that uses more than one product.)

Dr. Helen Fletcher is a professor of immunology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the U.K. She said a “mismatched” vaccine program would deliver some practical benefits — vaccine delivery logistics would be greatly simplified — but there could be another good reason to pursue a mixed-dose regimen.

“I’m excited about the study because I think it’s likely that the immune response will be even better if you mix and match vaccines,” Fletcher said in an interview with CBC News.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said last week the current guidance is for AstraZeneca recipients to get a second dose of the same product, but NACI is now reviewing the Oxford research on mixing AstraZeneca with an mRNA shot.

“There will be further advice forthcoming on that second dose based on the evolving science. We should watch this space,” Tam said.

Will Canada shorten the time between shots? Possibly. NACI said in early March that, given the limited vaccine supply, provinces and territories may want to wait up to 16 weeks between first and second doses to give more people at least some level of protection.

The provinces have since followed this guidance, with a few exceptions. For example, many long-term care home residents have been fully vaccinated on the timeline recommended by the vaccine makers. Pfizer calls for a second dose 21 days after the first, while Moderna stipulates the second shot should come 28 days later. (CBC)

Wednesday March 4, 2015

March 4, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 4, 2015

Premier Kathleen Wynne is promising a “more rational” system of selling wine and beer in Ontario.

One day after Wynne told Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb the province would soon have “a lot more open” wine market, the premier underscored that changes ahead will benefit consumers and the treasury.

“I assured him that that’s part of the work Ed Clark is doing,” she said Tuesday, referring to the former TD Bank chair who’s leading a panel reviewing the anachronistic way wine and beer are sold in Ontario.

“I’m not going to pre-empt his report. But there is an opportunity here,” the premier said, noting Clark’s conclusions would be part of Finance Minister Charles Sousa’s spring budget.

“We want these assets to work as well as possible for the people of Ontario. All of that is about finding ways to optimize these assets. Yes, to make the system more rational . . . but also to realize a funding stream, realize money that’s going to be invested in . . . infrastructure,” said Wynne.

“There will be some changes coming as a result of that work. I’m making an assumption that there are aspects of the liquor system in Ontario, the alcohol industry in Ontario, that are not as rational as they could be,” she said. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Thursday February 12, 2015

February 11, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 12, 2015

Price hike possible amid potential Beer Store changes, Molson Canada CEO says

Changes to the Beer Store could lead to higher prices, the CEO of Molson Coors Canada warned on Tuesday.

Stewart Glendinning’s comments to The Canadian Press come amid a push from Queen’s Park for the Beer Store’s foreign owners — Labatt, Molson Coors and Sleeman — to start paying a “franchise fee.”
“My overall worry is that we create a problem for beer volumes in Ontario,” Glendinning said.

An expert panel headed by former TD Bank CEO Ed Clark recommended the fee, a cost the companies would not be allowed to pass on to consumers as a price hike. Clark said the province could strip the brewing giants of their monopoly should they refuse.

Clark also recommended the government-owned LCBO be allowed to sell 12-packs of beer instead of just six-packs. As the Star revealed in December, a secret deal between the LCBO and the Beer Store means lucrative 12-packs and 24-packs cannot be sold at liquor stores.

Glendinning’s comments echo those of Jeff Newton, president of Canada’s National Brewers — which runs the Beer Store — who has said that adding new taxes to the retailer and selling larger packs at the LCBO is a “recipe for higher beer prices.”

But the province is still exploring the panel’s recommendations.

“We know that changes need to be made at the Beer Store,” said Kelsey Ingram, spokesperson for Finance Minister Charles Sousa.

In November’s Fall Economic Statement, Ingram noted, Sousa expressed support for the recommendations, including improving transparency at the Beer Store, providing Ontarians with a fair share of profits, ensuring all producers, including craft breweries, are treated equitably, and extending the sale of 12-packs of beer into LCBO stores. ‎

On Tuesday, Glendinning described the Beer Store as a break-even co-operative. Sousa has previously disagreed. (Continued: Toronto Star)

Saturday November 15, 2014

November 14, 2014 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 15, 2014

Beer Store should pay more to province, says privatization czar

Premier Kathleen Wynne’s government is threatening to take away the privately owned Beer Store monopoly if brewers balk at paying a “franchise fee” to the province.

July 23, 2004

That’s according to Wynne’s privatization czar, former TD Bank chair Ed Clark, who tabled a report on public assets Thursday that recommends modernizing booze sales.

While Clark cautions against selling off the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, he said the province could “free up $2 billion to $3 billion” to fund transit by liquidating parts of Hydro One.

More controversially, he said The Beer Store, owned by AB InBev, MolsonCoors, and Sapporo, will have to cough up more money to Queen’s Park without raising prices for consumers — or else.

“Their position is that they can’t afford to absorb a tax,” Clark told reporters in a conference call after releasing his 77-page study, “Retain & Gain: Making Ontario’s Assets Work Better for Taxpayers and Consumers.”

“If we do decide to charge a franchise fee of some sort (and they say) they don’t have any room, they’re just right up against the wall here and they don’t have a dollar to give . . . we’re saying, ‘Well, then that means you’re really saying is that this franchise that you have is worthless. Would you then give it up?’ ” said Clark.

“And then they say they don’t want to, but they don’t want to pay for it. We don’t think that’s a reasonable position. If you really think this thing is valueless, then give it up and we’ll auction it off and see if people would pay something for it.”

Clark’s salvo, which went further than anything in his premier’s advisory council on government assets’ report, caught the breweries off guard.

“Beyond what’s in the report, we haven’t seen anything from the council on that issue at all. We haven’t received anything that speaks to (those) comments,” said Jeff Newton, president of Canada’s National Brewers, which runs the 448 Beer Stores across Ontario.

The panel report said the LCBO, the government’s 639-outlet liquor monopoly, should be allowed to sell 12-packs of beer instead of just six-packs. That would help craft brewers, though cases of 24 would still be exclusively sold at The Beer Store.

“We believe that the relationship between the provincial government and The Beer Store should be revised to ensure that Ontario taxpayers receive their fair share of the profits from The Beer Store,” the report said.

“Consumers should not see an increase in prices as a result of this change.”

But Newton argued The Beer Store and the breweries, which employ 9,600 people in the province, cannot absorb any levy because “at the end of the day those costs have to go somewhere.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)