Etobicoke store caught selling booze before new rules kick in: AGCO

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An Etobicoke convenience store was allegedly caught selling alcohol several weeks before Ontario’s expanded liquor retails sales kick in.

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The retailer allegedly was also selling spirits, which won’t be allowed under the province’s new rules, and the booze that was being sold was allegedly not purchased through official channels.

The punishment? The business may not be allowed to sell alcohol or lottery tickets for a few weeks.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (ACGO) says an “unannounced inspection” was conducted at Mabelle Tuck Shop located in a highrise complex at 24 Mabelle Ave. – near Bloor St. W. and Islington Ave. – on Aug. 16 after receiving information that “various alcohol products” were being sold at the store.

“The AGCO inspector found the licensee violating multiple retail market rules, including retailing alcohol, which is not permitted before the Sept. 5, 2024 effective date for Ontario’s expanded liquor retail market,” the AGCO alleged in a statement Wednesday.

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“The AGCO inspector also found that the licensee was selling spirits, which convenience store licensees are not permitted to sell under Ontario’s new expanded liquor retail market rules,” the AGCO claims. “Finally, the AGCO inspector found that the licensee was retailing liquor they had not purchased via official LCBO channels using their business account.”

“Given the multiple infractions of the Liquor Licence and Control Act and its Regulations and the Gaming Control Act, the AGCO has served the licensee with a notice of proposal to suspend their alcohol retail licence and their lottery retailer registration for a duration of 21 days,” the AGCO said, adding “these compliance methods demonstrate the AGCO’s established system for both social responsibility and compliance.”

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However, Mabelle Tuck Shop – or any establishment served with a notice of suspension – has the right to appeal their suspension within 15 days to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

“As the next phase in Ontario’s expansion of the liquor retail market approaches, the AGCO is focused on ensuring licensees understand and comply with their obligations for the responsible sale of alcohol,” AGCO registrar and CEO Dr. Karin Schnarr said. “The AGCO has a wide-ranging compliance monitoring process and will take strong measures to enforce social responsibility and ensure a smooth transition to the new, expanded marketplace.”

Out of “respect of the licensee’s right to due process,” the ACGO was unable to offer any further details or explain why the business faces only a suspension rather than having its alcohol retail licence revoked.

“The AGCO takes many factors into account when assessing the appropriate penalty related to an incident of non-compliance, including the severity of the violation, the licensee’s past compliance history, and any other relevant factors related to the incident,” ACGO spokesperson Raymond Kahnert said.

cdoucette@postmedia.com

@sundoucette

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