FINDINGS REPORT 2014 EXCERPT:
In August 2013, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) initiated a review of its approach to the regulation of wine, beer, and spirits manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, ferment-on premise operators, and liquor delivery services. This review focuses on the laws, policies and procedures that fall within the existing regulatory mandate of the AGCO, including licensing, manufacturer retail stores, advertising and promotional activities, and product sampling. Ontario’s beverage alcohol industry is in the midst of a period of significant expansion and diversification.
At the same time, Ontario continues to have the strongest policies of any province in Canada for reducing the negative health and social costs related to alcohol. This review presents an opportunity to modernize our regulatory approach in a way that supports new investment and innovation, maintains strong protection of the public interest, and responds to shifting economic and social realities. Over the past several months, the AGCO has led an extensive engagement with industry stakeholders, as well as public health and social responsibility organizations and other government ministries and agencies. Stage One of the consultation period involved thirty-two written submissions in response to an AGCO consultation paper.
Stage Two involved nine roundtable sessions and several one-on-one meetings over a two-month period, which were attended by a total of ninety-five participants from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. This report provides the public and all of the AGCO’s stakeholders and partners with a comprehensive overview of the issues and proposals raised during both stages of the consultation period. The AGCO will be reviewing the findings to identify areas where it will move ahead with reforms. A number of stakeholder working groups will be established to consider the public policy and implementation issues involved.
VIEW & DOWNLOAD REPORT: REGULATORY MODERNIZATION IN ONTARIO’S BEVERAGE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY – FINDINGS REPORT 2014
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