Private wine stores will benefit Ontario

This isn't going to be a call to privatize the LCBO.

But it is a call to diversify the marketplace by allowing the creation of privately-owned stores that specialize in wine to run alongside the government-owned LCBO.

The government holds a near monopoly on liquor and wine sales in this province, and has proven reluctant to relinquish its grip.

But expanding wine sales beyond the public sector will benefit both Ontario consumers and an important domestic industry.

Ontario has a growing wine industry that is hampered by limited access to the marketplace.

Allowing private wine stores will open avenues for Ontario's small-and medium-sized wineries, while providing some much needed competition that will provide alternatives for consumers.

The LCBO has vastly improved its marketing of Ontario wines, and is doing much better in offering a variety of Ontario wines on its shelves.

Over the past year, the number of Ontario wineries selling in the LCBO has jumped from about 40 to 63.

But that increase is largely because of a provincial program that offers rebates to offset the LCBO markup for Ontario wineries.

That program expires next year.

As well as the LCBO has been doing of late, there is still much room for improvement.