- cross-posted to:
- canada@lemmy.ca
- cross-posted to:
- canada@lemmy.ca
The Ontario Public Health Association … cites multiple studies showing that increases in the number of places where alcohol can be bought in Ontario, and in other jurisdictions, have already led to more consumption and more of the harms that come with it, such as suicides, drunk driving, emergency-room visits and higher rates of cancer.
I enjoy booze, but I like that it’s hard to get. I don’t need any more encouragement to mess up my liver.
Thing is, the reason The Beer Store exists as its own privately owned entity and not integrated into the government-controlled LCBO is because beer is considered to be the least dangerous alcoholic beverage. We have not believed it needs the same government oversight.
If we are changing our tune about the dangers of beer then the Master Framework Agreement still has to go and the LCBO needs to take control of the beer market. There is simply no justification for the Master Framework Agreement no matter how you slice it.
If we still believe that beer is a less dangerous alcoholic drink, as we always have, then your link is troubling. Ontario consumes substantially more spirits – considered to be the most dangerous drink – as compared to Quebec. If people are going to drink, we would benefit from encouraging them to drink the least dangerous option.