In a move that has sparked concern across northern Ontario, Doug Ford’s plan to overhaul the beer distribution system is leaving communities like Nipigon grappling with the fallout. The recent closure of the local Beer Store, announced on August 19, highlights the challenges and unintended consequences of this policy shift.
The closure of Nipigon’s Beer Store marks a significant loss for the community. The store, located on CP property, is set to shut its doors in September, leaving a vacancy in the town’s downtown core. Mayor Suzanne Kukko expressed her dismay over the closure, emphasizing the impact on local employment and the convenience of bottle returns.
“It’s not just about losing a store,” Kukko said. “It’s about the loss of two jobs and the inability to handle bottle returns locally. The building will sit empty, adding to the problem of vacant properties in our downtown area.”
Former councillor Gordon Mackenzie echoed these concerns, noting the potential negative effects on the town’s job market and the broader economic implications. He questioned whether displaced workers would have opportunities to relocate or find new employment, highlighting the potential long-term impact on the community.
One significant consequence of the Beer Store’s closure is the disruption to recycling services. Residents will now need to travel to nearby Marathon or Thunder Bay to return their empties, or they may resort to municipal waste bins, which could increase the town’s waste disposal issues.
“The Beer Store handled more than just beer cans and bottles,” Mackenzie pointed out. “They also managed wine and liquor bottles. Without this facility, much of this recyclable material will end up in the town’s dump, which is not ideal.”
Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois raised concerns about the broader economic implications of the province’s alcohol expansion. The loss of Beer Store locations means a reduction in commercial property taxes and revenue for municipalities. Additionally, the cost of shipping goods to rural areas could drive up prices for consumers.
“Stores in northern regions face higher shipping costs, which can lead to increased prices for alcohol,” Vaugeois explained. “This shift could result in a scarcity of products, further driving up costs.”
She also noted that small stores entering the alcohol market will need to ensure their staff are properly trained and certified. This added responsibility could increase operational costs and expose these businesses to greater risks.
Despite the challenges, Mayor Kukko remains hopeful that local entrepreneurs might seize the opportunity to diversify their operations and fill the gap left by the Beer Store’s departure. She suggested that the transition could lead to new business opportunities in Nipigon.
“We hope local businesses will see this as a chance to expand their offerings,” Kukko said. “It could also motivate someone to open a new convenience store in town.”
Nipigon is not alone in facing these challenges. Other northern communities, including Geraldton and Cochrane, are also experiencing closures of their Beer Store locations. This trend reflects a broader shift in Ontario’s beer and alcohol distribution system, with potentially significant effects on smaller communities.
“The province’s changes to beer and alcohol distribution are profound,” Kukko noted. “While it’s a major shift for Ontario, the impact on our smaller northern communities may be more pronounced, with possible unintended consequences.”
As Ontario navigates this transition, the future of beer distribution in northern regions remains uncertain. While the province has allocated $225 million to facilitate the shift, the immediate effects on communities like Nipigon underscore the complexities involved in such a significant policy change.
“For now, we have to make the best of a challenging situation,” Kukko concluded. “We’ll do what we can to adapt and find new solutions.”
The closure of the Beer Store and the broader implications of the province’s beer plan serve as a reminder of the intricate balance between policy changes and their impact on local communities. As northern Ontario grapples with these challenges, the hope is that innovative solutions and local resilience will help navigate the transition.
