The LCBO Strike Is Hurting Ontario Tourism

The ongoing Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) strike is hurting the province’s tourism businesses, according to a new report.

The LCBO is a government-owned corporation responsible for retail sales and distribution of alcoholic beverages throughout the province. Approximately 10,000 unionized workers walked off the job on July 5.

Early this week, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) released findings from a recent member survey, which revealed more than a third (35%) of respondents were negatively impacted by the strike over its first week. The food and beverage (60%), Northern resource-based tourism (71%), and culinary tourism (50%) sectors saw the most disruption to business operations, with supply chain issues limiting product availability.

Common challenges that TIAO’s members faced during the strike include limited product availability and slow delivery of orders. Lack of alcohol access hurts the overall visitor experience, especially for small businesses—which account for 90% of the industry. Making matters worse, this is happening during the year’s peak summer season.

“The disruption to the supply chain is impacting a large percentage of tourism businesses that sell alcohol as part of the visitor experience—from restaurants and bars to culinary tourism, to hunting and fishing lodges in Northern Ontario,” said Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of TIAO.

TIAO is urging the province and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents the striking workers, to find a resolution as quickly as possible.

“While the LCBO will be re-allocating personnel to better support businesses in accessing the products they need, TIAO is urging all parties to continue negotiations and come to a resolution to end the labour dispute,” said Siegwart.