Who Do I Contact?

Have you seen a minor being served alcohol? Who do you contact regarding an impaired driver? Do you or a family member suspect someone has a drinking problem? How do I get involved in anti-drinking campaigns? How do I protest an inappropriate ad on TV or in print? These are some of the questions for which people need guidance to find the right contact.

In addition, alcohol policy and legislation involves many levels of government, liquor boards and commissions, and public health and safety organizations.

These list of questions are designed to help you get to the person you want to talk to. If your question is not reflected here, please contact us and we will not only answer it, we'll post it on the website.

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Who controls liquor distribution?

Who controls liquor legislation?

Who controls liquor licencing?

What is the breakdown of responsibilities by Jurisdiction?

Which ministry is in charge of:

Why can we buy alcohol in some grocery stores?

Where do I get the name of my MP? MPP?

How do I contact my MP? MPP?

I've seen an inappropriate ad advertising alcohol on TV/radio - who do I complain to?

How do I complain to:

Where do I find out about what alcohol policy is?

I've seen an impaired person get in their car to drive. Who do I call?

I need an expert/spokesperson in the field to give me information - where do I look?

How do I get in touch with others in my area of responsibility? In my geographic area?

Where can I find a listing of potential funders?

How do I get my PSA out there?

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Q: Who controls liquor distribution?

The Liquor Licence Act ("Act") covers most aspects of Ontario's beverage alcohol laws. These laws provide practical rules for responsible sale and service of beverage alcohol in this province. Each province has its own version of a liquor licencing act. See Enacted Legislation under Laws/Policies for a listing of different liquor-related legislation by Province.

In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for regulating the sale, service, and consumption of beverage alcohol. The AGCO is responsible for administering the Liquor Licence Act that covers most aspects of Ontario's beverage laws.

The AGCO also regulates the sale, service and consumption of beverage alcohol in licensed establishments and is also responsible for overseeing the adminstration of Special Occasion Permits (SOPs). These are required for occasional events, such as weddings and receptions where beverage alcohol will be served and/or sold. The AGCO also monitors casino and charitable gaming.

The Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming has the authority under the Liquor Licence Act for regulating and licensing of the following: liquor sales licences and endorsements, brew on premise facility licences, liquor delivery service licences, manufacturers' licences and manufacturer's representative licences.

AGCO is a quasi-judicial regulatory agency that reports to the Minister of Consumer and Business Services.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is responsible for the retail sale of beverage alcohol at Ontario government stores and Agency stores. The LCBO reports to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

In Ontario, beer can be purchased not just at the government-regulated retail outlets operated by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, but also through retail outlets operated by the Ontario Brewers Retail Inc. (BRI). These retail outlets are more commonly known as The Beer Store and they service both the public and other retail locations that serve alcohol such as bars and restaurants solely with beer beverages.

In Ontario, beer can be purchased not just at the government-regulated retail outlets operated by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, but also through retail outlets operated by the Ontario Brewers Retail Inc. (BRI).  These retail outlets are more commonly known as The Beer Store http://www.thebeerstore.ca/default.asp and they service both the public and other retail locations that serve alcohol such as bars and restaurants solely with beer beverages.

The Beer Store is indirectly owned by three large foreign multinational firms, who together control more than 80 per cent of beer sales.  The three largest brewers, Labatt, Molson and Sleeman, make up the owners of the Beer Store.
Every brewer in the province, whether an owner of The Beer Store or not, is guaranteed fair and equal access to its stores and this results in the Beer Store chain representing 300 brands made by 75 suppliers.  Each brewer decides which stores in the chain should carry its brands. Each brewer decides what those stores will charge for its products. The price must be consistent across every store in the chain.
Each brewer pays the same "handling fee" to get on The Beer Store's shelves. The handling fee is regulated at $3.48 a case.

As for profits, The Beer Store operates on a "cost-recovery" basis, meaning the fees are supposed to cover its costs. When the fees exceed the costs, the store issues a rebate –  but only to The Beer Store's owners. If costs exceed the fees, the owners make up the difference.

For a more detailed discussion, please refer to Who's Responsible for What?

Q: Who controls liquor legislation?

Liquor legislation is developed, in Ontario, by provincially elected officials. Its enforcement is primarily by police forces (federal, provincial, and municipal) and by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) inspectors.

Q: Who controls liquor licencing?

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is responsible for administering the Liquor Licence Act and ensuring compliance with the Act and its Regulations.

Q: What is the breakdown of responsibilities by jurisdiction?

Federal responsibility:

Provincial responsibility:

Municipal responsibility:

Q: Which ministry is in charge of liquor taxes?

The federal Ministry of Finance is responsible for excise taxes. The provincial Ministry of Finance is responsible for the liquor sales tax.

Q: Which ministry is in charge of privatization?

There is no one Ministry in charge of privatization, per se. The provincial government as a whole makes legislation governing the sale and distribution of alcohol. Specific aspects are the responsibility of different ministries (see above, and Who is Responsible for What?)

Q: Which ministry is in charge of public health and safety?

The federal Ministry of Labour is responsible for administering the Public Health and Safety Act. The provincial Ministry of Labour is responsible for the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario.

Q: Which ministry is in charge of driving under the influence?

The provincial Ministry of Transportation.

Q: Why can we buy alcohol in some grocery stores?

Established in 1962, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario Agency Store Program provides retail access to those who do not have reasonable access to an LCBO store. Under the Program, the LCBO authorizes independent local retailers (usually operators of a grocery store, general store, or tourist outfitter) to sell beverage alcohol in conjunction with other goods sold. Agency stores sell beverage alcohol to the public at the same prices charged at LCBO stores or The Beer Store, however, the operator purchases beverage alcohol at a discount price. Agency Store appointments are generally awarded for a five-year term, though the LCBO may set a shorter term.

Q: Where do I get the name of my MP? MPP?

To find out your parliamentary representative:

Q: How do I contact my MP? MPP?

For contact information, see Legislative Assembly - by Member.

Q: I've seen an inappropriate ad advertising alcohol on TV/radio - who do I complain to?

You can register a complaint with both Advertising Standards Canada, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). See
Resources/Tools for Action/ How to Complain for links to online forms and complaint procedures.

Q: How do I complain to:

For a list of links to complaint forms and procedures for registering a complaint, refer to Resources/Tools for Action/ How to Complain.

Q: Where do I find out about what alcohol policy is?

We have developed a comprehensive package of information, called Alcohol Policy 101, which covers what alcohol policy is, key events and milestones in the evolution of alcohol policy, frequently asked questions, and presentations from the Newbie Teleconferences held twice a year.

Q: I've seen an impaired person get in their car to drive. Who do I call?

Call the local police in your jurisdiction. If the person was heading onto a 400-series highway, this is the jurisdiction of the Ontario Provincial Police. Call 911 and advise the operator what you have seen, where you saw the incident, when and any information about the vehicle that will help the authorities identify it.

Q: I need an expert/spokesperson in the field to give me information - where do I look?

We have an extensive database of health professional, spokespersons, funders, event organizers, workshop and conference presenters, and more. The Key Contacts database is an excellent resources not only for the experienced professional looking for a specific answer, but also for the "Newbies" to the alcohol policy field. The Key Contacts database is self-monitoring and therefore is populated by people who want to share their expertise with all those involved in the alcohol, substance-abuse, health promotion, and public safety fields.

Q: How do I get in touch with others in my area of responsibility? In my geographic area?

Our Key Contacts database has over 650 participants from a diverse range of professional responsibilities and from a wide geographic area. Search by "skills/expertise" or by "city" to find a contact that suits your requirements. And please consider adding yourself to our database as an informational resource for others.

Q: Where can I find a listing of potential funders?

There are two places to check: our annual Directory of Potential Funding Sources, and our Key Contacts database, which lists individuals and organizations willing to fund projects in our field.

Q: How do I get my PSA out there?

An alcohol-related public service announcements (PSAs) should be part of a well-planned comprehensive social marketing campaign. We have many useful links on how to craft your PSA, what demographic and psychographic issues to consider, and how to get your message out there.