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Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 7, 2024

Ford’s $225 Million Boondoggle is a Reckless Waste of Ontario’s Money

News: More than 300 Toronto corner stores can now sell alcohol

While the change to allow alcohol sales in convenience stores may appeal to those tired of Ontario’s restrictive liquor laws, the question remains: at what cost? Ford’s government has pushed through this plan with alarming haste, paying out $225 million in public money to escape a contract that could have expired naturally. The timeline of the decision, just ahead of a potential early election, raises concerns that this is less about delivering a long-promised reform and more about securing votes. The payout not only compensates The Beer Store’s multinational owners, but it also raises the ire of a public that would rather see these funds allocated toward essential services, such as health care and infrastructure.

In addition to the wasteful payout, the plan has led to considerable unrest. Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) workers went on strike in response to the changes, public health experts have warned of increased risks of alcohol-related harm, and the compensation deal for The Beer Store has triggered public outrage. With Ontario already the most indebted sub-sovereign entity in the world, the province simply cannot afford such reckless financial maneuvers.

Ford’s history of wasteful spending stretches back to his earliest days as premier. One of his first acts in 2018 was the cancellation of over 750 renewable energy projects, costing Ontario $231 million. The justification for these cancellations was to save money by halting projects that, according to Ford, Ontario did not need. However, in 2023, his government found itself reversing course, announcing a new expansion of renewable energy to meet rising demand and shifting corporate priorities toward emissions-free electricity. These contradictory policies not only reflect poor planning but also saddle Ontario with massive financial burdens.

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The $225 million payout for The Beer Store debacle is simply the latest in a pattern of costly decisions made by the Ford government. Ontarians should be outraged at how casually their tax dollars are being spent to satisfy short-term political goals. What could this $225 million have achieved if spent on health care, education, or infrastructure? In a time when the province is grappling with significant challenges—whether it be the crisis in health care, long ER wait times, or underfunded public services—this money could have gone a long way in addressing these needs.

In truth, this alcohol sales policy may represent a form of deregulation that many Ontarians find appealing. After all, increased convenience and the end of outdated “nanny state” rules around alcohol sales seem like progress. But if that progress comes at such an exorbitant cost, it’s fair to ask whether the Ford government’s priorities are truly in the public’s best interest.

The decision to liberalize alcohol sales could have been implemented without this massive payout if only the government had waited. The rash decision to buy out The Beer Store’s contract just to meet an election timetable is as unnecessary as it is expensive. Worse, it highlights the ongoing problem with Ford’s leadership—a willingness to spend hundreds of millions with little thought to long-term consequences or the taxpayer’s pocketbook.

Ontario deserves better governance, one that balances popular reforms with responsible stewardship of public funds. This $225 million boondoggle is yet another example of how far the Ford government is from achieving that balance. (AI)