Premier Doug Ford is flanked by local MPP and Minister of Government and Consumer Services Todd Smith (right) and Finance Minister Vic Fedeli at Barley Days Brewery Tuesday, August 7, 2018.(Photo/Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is keeping a campaign promise.
Today at Barley Days Brewery in Picton, he, along with the Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli and the Minister of Government and Consumer Services Todd Smith, announced the decrease in price of a beer to a dollar.
When asked about reports that alcohol abuse occurs when the price of beer drops, Premier Ford says he has the utmost faith Ontarians will do what is right.
The price decrease lowers the price from $1.25.
The decrease is also only for beers with an alcohol volume below 5.6 per cent.
The Ontario government says it will offer “non-financial incentives” to brewers who sell their beer for $1 once the province’s buck-a-beer plan is in place later this month.
Premier Doug Ford says participating businesses will be offered prime spots in Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores or advertising in the store magazine’s inserts, among with other possible rewards.
Barley Days Brewery is one of the businesses taking part in the incentive program according to Ford.
The premier said the program will not cost taxpayers anything.
Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli told those in attendance that tax dollars aren’t being reduced to make this possible.
The Progressive Conservative plan will lower the minimum price of a bottle or can of beer to $1 from $1.25 starting August 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.
