Alcohol sales expanded around the corner from Algonquin College

Alcohol sales expanded to over 4,100 locations across Ontario on Sept. 5 to include convenience stores and big box retailers.

Outside the Circle K located at 1827 Baseline Rd., at the corner of Navaho Drive, Algonquin College students shared their thoughts about alcohol being sold at the corner stores between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

“I don’t mind. I think it’s just easier accessibility so that if people ever wanted it, they could have access a lot better than having to possibly go farther,” said business accounting student Mya Watson, 25.

Algonquin College students who already had access to the LCBO and the Beer Store within walking distance will now be able to purchase their alcohol after hours.

“It doesn’t affect me personally because I don’t really drink a lot, so it’s just fine,” said Nina Cortez, a 27-year-old architectural student.

“From the point of view for business, I think it is a good idea and it will be more convenient for people who drink alcohol. For those who don’t consume that like me, for them it does not matter,” said Kavish Sangwan, 19, a business technician student.

This has been a controversial issue for years with doctors and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health speaking out against this increase in access. They feel the government is choosing convenience over the well-being of Ontarians.

Charles Brandon, a business owner who is not a student, said buying alcohol at corner stores in Quebec is convenient.

“I just think that the inevitable and the casualties of this will be underage people getting their hands on alcohol, either through just having buddies work at the store or unqualified convenience store workers,” said Brandon, 39.

Store owners believe it is long overdue. They have been handling age restricted products such as tobacco and lottery tickets for years.

“Convenience stores are responsible retailers. We have an unrivaled record when it comes to checking ID and ensuring that age restricted products are not sold to minors,” said, Kenny Shim, owner of Busy Bee Mart and industry leader, in a statement released by the Ontario Korean Businessmen’s Association in August.

This change comes about a year and a half earlier than anticipated at a cost of $225 million dollars to taxpayers. These funds are allocated to protect Beer Store employees and front-line workers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford pledges an additional $10 million over five years to address public health concerns related to expanded access to alcohol.