Convenience comes at a cost

Experts fear alcohol at corner stores may spike health and social harms, urge province to prepare

- MEGAN OGILVIE

With Ontario expanding alcohol sales to an additional 8,500 stores up from about 2,900 outlets - experts say they are bracing for negative health outcomes.

It’s where you go when you run out of milk or need a loaf of bread. You turn to its aisles of potato chips, chocolate bars and candy to satisfy a craving. Often, you can find an OK cup of coffee to go with a weekly splurge on lottery tickets.

And early next month, your neighbourhood convenience store will be able to sell you beer, wine and an assortment of ready-to-drink cocktails.

For many Ontarians, including perhaps yourself, the change coming on Sept. 5 will be little more than a convenience — making a routine purchase less of a hassle. But behind the scenes, health professionals and experts are watching with bated breath to see how Ontario’s push to allow booze in thousands of new stores will play out across the province.

With emerging evidence linking alcohol to a growing list of costly outcomes, experts warn the biggest increase in alcohol availability in Ontario in nearly 100 years will lead to a cascade of health and social harms, including an increase in alcohol-related deaths.

The question is: Is Ontario prepared?

In May, Premier Doug Ford announced the sale of beer and wines at corner stores. Experts are now calling on the province to have safety measures in place.

“Harm will increase in Ontario. That is straightforward,” said Dr. Daniel Myran, who has studied the costs of previous changes to alcohol sales, including Ontario’s last, when some grocery stores started selling beer and wine.