TORONTO — The Ontario government is expanding opportunities in alcohol sales, including permanently allowing licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order.
“Ontario’s vibrant hospitality sector and its workers have been hard hit by COVID-19 in every community across our province,” says Attorney General Doug Downey. “We’re building on the actions we took early in the pandemic to support local restaurants, bars and other businesses by providing permanent help to workers and small businesses as they face these ongoing challenges.”
The province previously approved some of these changes on a temporary basis to support businesses significantly impacted by the spread of COVID-19. Additional permanent reforms for the hospitality sector will allow:
- alcohol service on docked boats by operators with a liquor-sales licence
- reduced minimum pricing of spirits consumed on-site, to align with the reduced pricing introduced for takeout and delivery orders
- the length of time for temporary patio extensions to be set out by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
- for a requirement that ensures third parties delivering from licensed restaurants and bars have a delivery licence
The requirements that apply to alcohol sales, service and delivery will continue to apply to boats with a liquor sales licence and liquor-delivery services, including checking ID, Smart Serve training and not serving or selling to intoxicated people.
The Ontario government is also making the following changes regarding alcohol sales:
- removing restrictive rules to allow for the delivery of alcoholic beverages in food boxes and meal kits
- allowing eligible alcohol manufacturers to deliver their own products and charge a delivery fee
- allowing restaurants and bars to offer mixed cocktails and growlers as part of a takeout or delivery order
- permitting eligible manufacturers to sell spirits and 100-per-cent Ontario wine at farmers markets
