Taquitos & Chardonnay

7-Eleven might soon be able to serve alcohol in up to 61 locations across Ontario.

Last February, Doug Ford had a secret meeting at company HQ in Texas. Even though the Premier was on an official trade mission, the official news release was silent about this event. 🤔

h/t CBC News for exposing the meeting through a freedom of information request for the premier's appointment schedule.

Considering the stated purpose of Ford’s trip was to strengthen business relations, why the lack of transparency?

Ford's director of media relations Ivana Yelich confirmed: “Part of the discussion included the sale of beer and wine in convenience stores, which our government has long been committed to advancing in order to deliver more choice to Ontarians.”

Doug Ford has certainly been committed to increasing the accessibility of alcohol. In fact, this may be one of his only discernible platform goals. See: Allowing bars to sell booze at 9 AM. Buck-a-beer. Embarrassing videos of MPPs trying to buy beer from convenience stores.

(Maybe he’s counting on the entire province being tipsy for the next election?)

If liquor licensing is approved, alcohol will be available during limited hours in “designated consumption areas” of 7-Eleven stores. Alcohol takeout or delivery would NOT be permitted under the company’s current business model.

Serious question. Has anyone ever stepped foot inside 7-Elevenand said: “You know what this place needs? Somewhere to sit and enjoy a bevvie to wash down my stale taquito! 🤗”

There are potentially positive implications to improving relationships with the retail chain, especially for Ontario manufacturers looking to have their products distributed at 7-Eleven stores worldwide.

On the other hand, the timing sucks. Enabling a multinational corporation to compete against restaurants & bars (who are struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic) could have a negative impact on small businesses in Ontario.