Ontario to offer 'non-financial incentives' to brewers for buck-a-beer

Buck-a-beer a risk to public safety: MADD Mothers Against Drunk Driving issued a statement saying that reducing the price of alcohol can lead to an increase in consumption.

Ontario launched its buck-a-beer plan Tuesday by offering "non-financial incentives" to brewers who sell their beer for $1, prompting critics to question the Progressive Conservative government's priorities and accuse the province of trying to deflect scrutiny on key issues such as education and the environment.

Premier Doug Ford said participating businesses will be offered prime spots in Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores, or advertising in flyers or inserts, among other possible rewards.

Speaking at a brewery in Picton, Ont., the premier said the program, which was one of his promises during the spring election campaign, will not cost taxpayers anything.

"Nobody is being forced to lower their prices and there will be no subsidies or tax handouts," Ford said, calling the move a "win-win."

Asked whether he was concerned that cheaper beer might contribute to substance abuse and other harms, Ford said he trusts Ontario consumers to make smart choices when it comes to alcohol, regardless of the lower price.

"If beer goes up in consumption over what -- 20 cents, 25 cents? We're just trying to put money back in the consumer's pocket," he said. "People in Ontario are mature enough ... to know when they've had one too many."

The Progressive Conservative plan will lower the minimum price of a bottle or can of beer with an alcohol volume below 5.6 per cent to $1 from $1.25 starting Aug. 27 -- a few days before the Labour Day weekend.

Brewers would not be required to charge less, however, and the lower minimum price would not apply to draft beer, nor would it include the bottle deposit.

The Tories have said a return to buck a beer would see more competition in the beer market without affecting the province's revenues from beer and wine taxes, which government documents show brought in roughly $589 million in 2016-2017.

Ontario previously had buck-a-bottle beer but the then-Liberal government quietly hiked the minimum price in 2008, citing its "social responsibility" mandate.

News of buck a beer's return was met with concern from safety groups and criticism from the opposition parties.

"Lowering the price of alcohol carries implications and risks for public safety," MADD Canada said in a statement.

"Lower alcohol prices can lead to increased consumption, particularly among those with alcohol problems, and among young people, and that increased consumption can in turn lead to increased alcohol-related problems, including impaired driving."

Ontario's New Democrats said Ford's efforts to reduce beer prices show his priorities are "completely mixed up," and suggested the plan effectively gives subsidies to beer companies.

"These product placements or advertisements ... have monetary value," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. "Here we have a premier that's cutting income to the very poorest amongst us as a priority and at the same time subsidizing buck a beer," she said, referring to the Tories' plan to cancel a basic income pilot project.

The LCBO said in a statement Tuesday night it will work on in-store displays, limited time offers and advertising with any beer supplier who agrees to meet Ford's challenge to reduce the price of beer.

"These are normal business expenses for our stores and no costs will be incurred to either LCBO consumers or Ontario taxpayers," it said.

The Greens said the beer program is an attempt to draw attention away from the government's controversial decisions to revoke the updated sex-ed curriculum, scrap the basic income project and dismantle the cap-and-trade carbon pricing system.

"After spending weeks ripping up contracts and curriculums, dismantling climate plans and pilot projects, this is the first time the premier has actually given us something. But instead of a climate plan or help for people living in poverty, it's a cheap beer challenge," Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said in a statement.

"Is this the premier's priority? Does he think reducing the beer price floor from $1.25 to $1 will solve real problems?"

Some breweries were quick to say they would not reduce their prices, while others in the industry said the plan was financially unsustainable.

"You definitely won't see .FreshGLB take part in this," the Toronto-based Great Lakes Brewery wrote on Twitter. "We believe in our brands, take pride in our quality and firmly feel that are current prices are very fair."

Eric Portelance, who co-owned Halo Brewery in Toronto until earlier this year, said the buck-a-beer challenge is "insulting" to brewers and distorts the market by devaluing their product.

"When I ran my brewery we never made beer anywhere close to this cheap because of all the corners that need to be cut were unacceptable to us. It was difficult for us to make beer anywhere less than $2 per short can in costs alone," he said in an open letter to the government.

"You are also 'challenging' brewers to eat their margins at a time when their costs are going up significantly as a result of steel and aluminium tariffs which will impact the costs of equipment and aluminium cans. You couldn't be more tone deaf on this subject."

Steve Himel, co-founder and general manager of Henderson Brewing Co., also slammed Ford's program.

"Nobody can make beer at $1 a bottle with the Ontario and federal taxes as they are. I don't know if his plan was to make the breweries look greedy or just to underscore his populist direction, but it is ridiculous," he said, adding the move ignores the shift towards more complex and well-crafted beer.

Ford has also vowed to expand the sale of beer and wine to corner and box stores.

The premier was also asked about his plan for the sale of cannabis once it becomes legal in October, after some published reports said the province would allow private sector sales. Ford would not confirm or deny the reports, saying only that an announcement would come later.

-- with files from Shawn Jeffords