Ontario won't bring U.S. alcohol back to LCBO as Alberta, Saskatchewan relent
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he won't be ordering the LCBO to restock alcohol from the United States, despite plans from neighbouring provinces to begin selling American booze again.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Globe and Mail on Monday, Ford addressed plans by the premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta to restore American-made alcohol in their provinces.
'Not until he gets rid of these tariffs — why should I? It's a small kitchen table issue, (but) Kentucky knows how important bourbon is to the economy,' Ford said when asked if he would follow the western provinces.
U.S.-made alcohol was removed from the stores of the LCBO at the beginning of March as part of a series of measures designed to punish the United States for levying tariffs on Canadian exports like steel, aluminum and cars.
Story continues below advertisement
The Ontario government estimates that just under $1 billion of U.S. alcohol was sold by the LCBO last year, across 3,600 different products.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Roughly 48 per cent of those sales was American liquor, of which the LCBO sold 22 million litres last year for $461 million. Wine made up around 42 per cent of the total with 21 million litres sold at $408 million.
Just $7 million worth of U.S. beer was sold by the LCBO last year, according to figures from the LCBO, while the remainder includes direct orders for some retailers and pre-made ready-to-drink beverages.
Ontario's move was mirrored across parts of the country. With tariffs still in place, however, other jurisdictions appear to have relented.
Ford said that, while the booze ban has not forced Trump to revisit the tariff issue, he still believes it is an important diplomatic tool.
'It might be a small dollar figure, but when we're the largest purchaser of alcohol in the entire world, the LCBO, you have to use that leverage. And thousands and thousands of jobs are being lost in Kentucky and in California…. there's one person causing this problem,' he said.
'Don't mess with people's booze, they lose their minds. Simple as that.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Celebrating Canada
Opinion My HEART bursts with pride and a deep sense of gratitude whenever I hear or sing our national anthem. 'O Canada, our home and native land, true patriot love…' I'm swept away by a spirit of intense patriotism. I am a Canadian by choice and not by birth, but my heart is Canadian through and through. I was born in Russia of German parents. The designation of nationality in my passport said 'stateless' and feelings of rejection and worthlessness were real and deep. But all that changed when on Aug. 20, 1950, as a 17-year-old German refugee, I stepped on Canadian soil at the Quebec City harbour. I received my Canadian citizenship five years later. When we immigrated to Canada, things were different. For the first time in my life I felt accepted. Accepted for who I am as a person and not for where I was born. Our great and free country of Canada, being such a collection of nationalities from around the globe, is uniquely equipped to make one feel part of the distinct mosaic of its society and feel at home here no matter where one's cradle stood. That is why I appreciate Canada so much and on this Canada Day I want to again sing its praises. I thank God that my children and grandchildren have the privilege of growing up in freedom in this great country with equal opportunity for all. On the 50th anniversary of my arrival in Canada, I hosted a family celebration dinner in my home with a Canada cake, Canadian flags and a prayer of thanks. Regarding equality for all, at a reception for new Canadians at Government House several years ago, then-Lt.-Gov. Peter Liba shared an amazing example. His father, Theodore Liba, who in 1926, as a 23-year-old Polish immigrant to Canada, had the unique opportunity of meeting King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their visit at Government House in 1939, before the outbreak of the Second World War. Winnipeg's prestigious Hotel Fort Garry was catering the meal for this special occasion. Liba's father, an employee of the Fort Garry Hotel at that time, had the unique opportunity of serving the Royal couple. Sixty years later, his son Peter Liba was sworn in as the 22nd lieutenant-governor of Manitoba. In his own words: 'Where else, in one generation, could you go from serving as a waiter at Government House for a royal reception to now serving in the vice-regal role as the Queen's representative in Manitoba, using the front door, not the side entrance?' Where else, indeed! During opening exercises at the weekly children's club at our church, we stand at attention in a circle, saluting the Canadian flag, our right hands on our heart, pledging allegiance to Canada. As my eyes sweep over the large circle of boys and girls, I see that many different nationalities from all over the globe are represented. Such diverse cultural backgrounds, and yet we are one as Canadians working for our country together. As we all join our voices singing our national anthem, I feel chills running down my spine, moved with patriotic love and gratitude. Seeing the bright and energetic multi-ethnic young Canadians, I realize anew how great and glorious Canada really is. 'God keep our land glorious and free, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.' Maria Rogalski writes from Winnipeg.
Japan Forward
2 hours ago
- Japan Forward
China Backs Students to Influence Japan's Research and Academia
In the United States, concerns about Chinese influence on university campuses have escalated. US authorities have scrutinized institutions like Harvard for accepting large donations from entities linked to the Chinese government, and have arrested researchers with ties to China for concealing affiliations with its military. The FBI has repeatedly warned that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is systematically targeting American universities to acquire cutting-edge technology and sensitive research. Washington is tightening oversight on foreign scholars and funding, and Japan is now facing a similar dilemma, yet seems far less prepared. Japan is ramping up support for foreign doctoral students, offering up to ¥2.9 million JPY ($20,040 USD) per year. However, one question looms large: Who exactly is benefiting? According to university professor Rui Sasaki, the answer is increasingly "Chinese students," and he argues that's a dangerous trend Japan can no longer ignore. "Over 40% of these government-supported doctoral students are Chinese," Sasaki explained in a recent interview with JAPAN Forward. "Meanwhile, Japanese students are being left behind. It's both unfair and risky." University of Tokyo's Akamon Gate Sasaki points to the swelling ranks of Chinese students at top universities such as the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Waseda. What may seem like a benign form of international exchange, he warns, actually carries national security implications. "China isn't a G7 country," he said. "It's a dictatorship. We must face that reality." At the center of his concern is the CSC, the China Scholarship Council. Thousands of Chinese students abroad, including in Japan, are funded under this program. But there's a catch: recipients must sign secret contracts pledging loyalty to the Chinese government. "Their families are restricted from leaving China. Embassies and consulates monitor them and they must submit regular reports," Sasaki said. "If the Chinese state demands something, like sensitive data, they cannot refuse." This dynamic poses a serious national security risk, Sasaki warns, particularly in research-intensive fields like science and engineering. "In Tokushima, authorities arrested a Chinese researcher for stealing data. There are likely more cases that go unreported," he noted. The concern isn't abstract. Other democracies have already sounded the alarm. Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands have investigated CSC-funded students. Some were later linked to the People's Liberation Army or Chinese state security agencies. So why hasn't Japan taken similar precautions? "Japan has no real counterintelligence infrastructure," Sasaki lamented. "Even if you suspect espionage, the legal framework doesn't allow wiretapping in economic or national security cases. The only tools we have are for terrorism or drug crimes." But the risk doesn't stop at individual espionage. Sasaki says Japan's academic institutions are slowly being infiltrated from within. Some CSC-funded students stay on after graduation and work their way up the academic ladder. "They become associate professors or even full professors at Japanese universities," he said. "Then they begin teaching Chinese-style history to Japanese students." Sasaki also draws attention to Confucius Institutes, Chinese government-backed cultural and language centers operating worldwide, often housed within universities. While many Western countries have shuttered these institutions, citing concerns over propaganda and surveillance, Japan still plays host to several. "Waseda University still has one," Sasaki said. "When Hu Jintao or Jiang Zemin visited, the venues filled with Chinese nationals. Just from that scene, you'd think the place was already occupied." Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing. (© Kyodo) He warns that this isn't simply about culture — it's part of the CCP's "United Front" strategy, which aims to subtly expand influence through overseas Chinese communities, student associations, and academics. "A lot of Chinese people probably don't even realize they're being used. They're not all spies in the strict sense. But they are being used," he explained. The issue is further complicated by what Sasaki sees as Japan's naivete. "We're still clinging to the idea that more exchange automatically means more peace," he said. "But real internationalization isn't about open borders for everyone. It's about mutual respect and clear rules." He contrasts this with what he calls "globalist delusion" — the belief that authoritarian states will liberalize through engagement alone. "After the Tiananmen massacre, the West imposed sanctions. But Japan broke ranks first, sending the Emperor to China. We thought they'd democratize if we were kind. Instead, we helped them entrench their regime." While Sasaki's warnings may seem alarmist to some, they are part of a growing body of concern shared by intelligence officials, academics, and journalists in liberal democracies worldwide. What sets Japan apart, he says, is how little public awareness exists. "We're not even having the conversation," he said. Even now, he fears Japan is ill-prepared for the future. "People think peace is the default. But peace is something you have to defend. 'When did Noah build the Ark?'" he asks, referencing the film Spy Game . "Before the rain." Author: Daniel Manning
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Dozens of LA-area mayors demand the Trump administration stop intensified immigration raids
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dozens of mayors from across the Los Angeles region banded together Wednesday to demand that the Trump administration stop the stepped-up immigration raids that have spread fear across their cities and sparked protests across the U.S. But there were no signs President Donald Trump would heed their pleas. About 500 of the National Guard troops deployed to the Los Angeles protests have been trained to accompany agents on immigration operations, the commander in charge said Wednesday. And while some troops have already gone on such missions, he said it's too early to say if that will continue even after the protests die down. 'We are expecting a ramp-up,' said Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, noting that protests across the nation were being discussed. 'I'm focused right here in LA, what's going on right here. But you know, I think we're, we're very concerned.' Hours later, a demonstration in Los Angeles' civic center just before start of the second night of the city's downtown curfew briefly turned chaotic when police in riot gear — many on horseback — charged at a group, striking them with wooden rods and later fired crowd control projectiles, including one that struck a woman who writhed in pain on the ground. After the curfew went into effect, a handful of arrests were made before the area cleared out and the evening quieted down. The LA-area mayors and city council members urged Trump to stop using armed military troops alongside immigration agents. 'I'm asking you, please listen to me, stop terrorizing our residents,' said Brenda Olmos, vice mayor of Paramount, who said she was hit by rubber bullets over the weekend. 'You need to stop these raids.' Speaking alongside the other mayors at a news conference, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the raids spread fear at the behest of the White House. The city's nightly curfew will remain in effect as long as necessary. It covers a 1-square-mile (2.5-square-kilometer) section of downtown where the protests have been concentrated in the city that encompasses roughly 500 square miles (1,295 square kilometers). 'If there are raids that continue, if there are soldiers marching up and down our streets, I would imagine that the curfew will continue,' Bass said. Those who have been caught up in the nationwide raids include asylum seekers, people who overstayed their visas and migrants awaiting their day in immigration court. The administration has cited the protests in its decision to deploy the military. Governor asks court to step in California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, has asked a federal court to put an emergency stop to the military helping immigration agents in the nation's second-largest city. This week, guardsmen began standing protectively around agents as they carry out arrests. A judge set a hearing for Thursday. The Trump administration called the lawsuit a 'crass political stunt endangering American lives' in its official response on Wednesday. The military is now closer to engaging in law enforcement actions such as deportations, as Trump has promised in his crackdown. The Guard has the authority to temporarily detain people who attack officers, but any arrests must be made by law enforcement. The president posted on the Truth Social platform that the city 'would be burning to the ground' if he had not sent in the military. Some 2,000 National Guard soldiers are in Los Angeles and are soon to be joined by 2,000 more along with about 700 Marines, Sherman said. Speaking in an interview with The Associated Press and ABC, Sherman initially said National Guard troops had already temporarily detained civilians in the Los Angeles protests over immigration raids. He later said he based his comments on photos and footage he had seen that turned out not to be a representation of Guard members in Los Angeles. Curfew continues in downtown LA Police detained more than 20 people, mostly on curfew violations, on the first night of the curfew and used crowd-control projectiles to break up hundreds of protesters. But officers were more aggressive in controlling demonstrators Wednesday evening and as the curfew took effect, police were beginning to make arrests. Los Angeles police have made nearly 400 arrests and detentions since Saturday, the vast majority of which were for failing to leave the area at the request of law enforcement, according to the police department. There have been a handful of more serious charges, including for assault against police officers and for possession of a Molotov cocktail and a gun. Nine police officers have been hurt, mostly with minor injures. Some were transported to a hospital and released. Protests have spread nationwide Demonstrations have also spread to other cities nationwide, including Dallas and Austin in Texas, and Chicago and New York, where thousands rallied and more arrests were made. In New York City, police said they took 86 people into custody during protests in lower Manhattan that lasted into Wednesday morning. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the majority of demonstrators were peaceful. A 66-year-old woman in Chicago was injured when she was struck by a car during downtown protests Tuesday evening, police said. Video showed a car speeding down a street where people were protesting. In Texas, where police in Austin used chemical irritants to disperse several hundred demonstrators Monday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's office said Texas National Guard troops were 'on standby' in areas where demonstrations are planned. Guard members were sent to San Antonio, but Police Chief William McManus said he had not been told how many troops were deployed or their role ahead of planned protests Wednesday night and Saturday. Officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety said the Texas National Guard was present at a protest downtown. The protests began Friday after federal immigration raids arrested dozens of workers in Los Angeles. ___ Golden reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Julie Watson in San Diego, Jesse Bedayn in Denver, and Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
