Dear Premier Ford:

Recently, you announced lowering of the minimum price which restaurants may charge their customers for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

While I understand that your goal is to make the purchase of alcohol with a food order more attractive to the public, I believe that there is something else which the government can do to support the food services industry, at this time.  As we know the restaurant sector is currently at great risk of failure.

As a catalyst for restoration, in the short term, my suggestion is to sell alcohol products to licensees at the base retail price without adding the 61.5% spirits basic tax. Currently, a 750 ml bottle which sells for $39.95 has a before-tax price of $21.55. The general public and licensees pay virtually the same amount for alcohol. Unlike with almost any other business, there is NO WHOLESALE pricing for business to business sales from LCBO.

Were the Government to approve this, thousands of mom & pop restaurants will have the opportunity to increase their income by selling LCBO products at a price which will add to their revenues, through a higher profit margin (at lower price), as their volumes likewise increase due to the incentive for consumers to purchase alcohol along with their take-out food orders.

Everyone is suffering through these times. Consumers and business. This suggested solution will go a long way to assist both.