TORONTO, October 7, 2020 – In these uniquely challenging times, perhaps no Ontario business group continues to suffer more than the licensed bars and restaurants that are the very foundation of the Province’s hospitality and tourism sector.

Using recent data from Statistics Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce predicts that as many as 60% of the country’s restaurants are at risk of shutting down in the next 2 – 3 months. As patio season ends and fears of the second COVID-19 wave continue, experts now predict bars and restaurants will be gutted this winter in the absence of a proper policy response.

Spirits Canada and Ontario’s leading distillers stand in solidarity with our hospitality partners, restauranteurs, bartenders, mixologists and servers, as well as tourism and hotel operators across the Province.

Premier Ford’s commitment to explore options to permanently allow local neighbourhood restaurants and bars to include beer, wine and spirits with their takeout or delivery food orders is the kind of decisive leadership that is needed to provide a crucial lifeline to these establishments. Alcohol delivery provides a critical revenue boost to Ontario restaurants and bars struggling to simply keep their doors open and provide employment for servers, chefs and bartenders.

“We applaud Premier Ford’s commitment to helping hospitality businesses survive the current health crisis. Strong leadership has prevailed throughout the pandemic and the decision to permit beverage alcohol sales with food takeout or delivery orders provides essential support to Ontario’s bars and restaurants,” said Jan Westcott, President and CEO of Spirits Canada.

The decision to examine how best to improve and make permanent, the temporary alcohol delivery measures implemented at the start of the pandemic — measures that have shown to be hugely popular with Ontario consumers, is another positive step in Ontario’s business recovery.

“We look forward to working with the government to adopt a ‘best in class’ alcohol delivery with food policy framework, one that includes a full alcohol menu including professionally prepared cocktails-to-go, all with the highest standards in responsible sale”, said Westcott

Jan H. Westcott, President & CEO, Spirits Canada