What’s the Ontario Government Hiding in Its Liquor Cellar?
In a move that has raised eyebrows and sparked outrage, the Ontario government is refusing to disclose details about its massive stockpile of American alcohol, valued at a staggering $79.1 million. This stash, pulled from LCBO shelves as part of Canada’s trade war retaliation against the U.S., has become the center of a heated debate over transparency and accountability. But here’s where it gets controversial: the government is citing 'cabinet confidence' to keep this information under wraps, a claim that experts are calling 'ludicrous' and 'outrageous.'
The Secret Stash: What’s Really Going On?
Earlier this year, CBC News filed a freedom-of-information request to uncover the fate of this American alcohol inventory. After a 64-day delay—more than double the legal limit—the LCBO released 50 pages of heavily redacted documents. And this is the part most people miss: crucial details about how much alcohol is expiring, how much has been destroyed, and the total cost to taxpayers remain shrouded in secrecy. This lack of transparency stands in stark contrast to other provinces like Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, which have openly shared similar information.
The 'Cabinet Confidence' Loophole
James Turk, a researcher at Toronto Metropolitan University and an expert on government transparency, calls the LCBO’s move a clear misuse of the 'cabinet confidence' principle. This principle is meant to protect internal policy discussions, not routine operational data like inventory levels. 'It’s just ludicrous,' Turk says. 'They have no competitors, and there’s no legitimate reason to keep this information confidential.'
A Pattern of Secrecy?
This isn’t an isolated incident. Critics argue it’s part of a broader trend of secrecy under the Ford government. From refusing to release the premier’s mandate letters in 2018 to the recent Greenbelt scandal and the opaque handling of a $2.5-billion job training fund, transparency seems to be in short supply. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles puts it bluntly: 'What are they afraid of? Why so much secrecy?'
The Bigger Question: What’s at Stake?
The LCBO’s secrecy raises a troubling question: if the government is willing to hide details about a liquor inventory, what else might they be concealing? As Turk warns, 'If they’re trying to cover over something as minor as this, then what about important things?'
Your Turn: What Do You Think?
Is the Ontario government justified in withholding this information, or is this a blatant misuse of 'cabinet confidence'? Should taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent, even in the midst of a trade war? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your take on this controversial issue. CBC News has already appealed the decision to redact the documents, but the debate is far from over.
