A new article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal is critical of the idea of making it easier to buy alcohol in Ontario.
The authors explore the potential impacts of the Government of Ontario’s recently announced plans to improve “convenience and choice” for consumers starting in early 2026, by expanding alcohol sales into 8,500 new privately operated stores and decreasing the price of alcohol. The authors said Ontario’s move represents “the most substantial alcohol deregulation policy in Canada in decades” and, as evidenced in other jurisdictions with easier consumer access to alcohol, points out expanded access could lead to higher rates of consumption and more resulting harms.
To curb some of these ill-effects, the authors said there are steps provincial and federal governments can take, including setting a minimum price on alcohol products to offset any potential "ultra-cheap" brand-pricing competitions.