Ontarians can now find and purchase alcohol with the help of an interactive map released amid the LCBO strike.

In a video message posted on X on Monday, Premier Doug Ford announced the release of the tech tool that allows Ontario residents to locate stores, other than the LCBO, selling alcohol.

“Our new interactive map shows thousands of convenient options where you can still buy beer, wine, spirits and other drinks across the province.”

The release of the map comes days after LCBO workers walked off the job prompting  province-wide closures of the government-run liquor store.  The announcement is stirring up angry reactions from many residents and city officials, who accused Ford of union busting and failing to address pressing socio-economic issues.

“While the Ford government wastes billions of tax dollars, schools need fixing, hospital wait times need attention, cities need support for transit, services & infrastructure, the science centre needs saving and people struggle to make ends meet. Yet, this guy’s priority is beer,” Councillor Josh Matlow wrote on X on Monday.

“You’re using public dollars to break a strike, undermine workers rights and to destroy an agency that generates $2.5 billion for healthcare and other services. But this app looks cute. Why didn’t you use this kind of tech to save lives from COVID19 or to find ERs,” one X user wrote.

“Can I get a map of where I can find emergency clinics that are open?,” another person said.

  • vrek@programming.devEnglish
    4·
    4 months ago

    I know none of the details about this strike or the situation. That said alcohol is one of the only drugs that kill from withdrawal. Same reason liquor was left open during COVID and hospitals literally have hospital grade vodka .

    • NarrativeBear@lemmy.worldOP
      8·
      4 months ago

      Throughout the pandemic crisis volunteers stepped up and created interactive maps to help Ontarians better understand what was going on in their area. The province did next to nothing. But LCBO’s closed? Doug Ford roared to life.

      • vrek@programming.devEnglish
        1·
        4 months ago

        Oh, yeah than he’s a fuck wad. I know here in the states bars were closed but liquor stores stayed open(some even with drive thru or curbside service). The rational being the increase in alcoholics going through a government mandated withdrawal would be too much of a strain on the already strained hospital system.

    • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
      1·
      4 months ago

      Alcohol can only be sold through LCBO or The Beer Store (barring some exceptions)

      Ford has decided to rid of this exclusively so the workers are on strike for guarantees around their jobs

      People oppose Ford’s plan because; a) it breaks a contract so tax payers have to pay out half a billion. b) to give the middle man a profit/advantage Ford is having the tax payer is covering 10% the cost on all alcohol sales from corner stores

      There will be no savings on the end user because prices are controlled by the government