Ontario Cutting Alcohol Licensing Fees for Independent Grocers

Ontario Reducing Fees for Small Business

Province Cutting Alcohol Licensing Fees for Independent Grocers

NEWS	May 29, 2017

 

Ontario is supporting small, independent grocers by reducing the regulatory fee required to sell beer, cider and wine by $2,000 per year, representing a 66 per cent savings for qualified businesses.

Jeff Leal, Minister Responsible for Small Business and Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Growth were at Galleria Supermarket in Toronto today to make the announcement.

This is a first step in Ontario’s plan to reduce fees and other costs for small- and medium-sized businesses.

To help small businesses grow and to cut red tape, Ontario will be proposing new legislation this fall that includes:

1. Reducing fees and other costs: Reviewing licence and registration fees paid with a goal of providing relief to by small- and medium-sized businesses.
2. Government procurement: Introducing a preferred procurement policy for small businesses that would help provide better access to government contracts.
3. One-window service: Developing a new program that would help small businesses access support, information and resources by phone, online and in person.
4. Reducing regulatory costs: Requiring all ministries to offset every dollar of new administrative costs to business, by removing $1.25 of old and unnecessary costs.
5. Streamlining compliance for small business: Ensuring that undue burdens aren’t placed on small businesses when new or amended regulations are introduced, while maintaining robust environmental, health and safety requirements and other public interest protections.
6. International or national standards alignment: Increasing harmonization with other jurisdictions and adopting international or national standards, where appropriate, when developing or reviewing regulations.
7. Rewarding good actors: Recognizing businesses that have a good compliance record and lowering their costs by reducing the requirements, such as the number of inspections, without compromising the environment health and safety, and other protections.
8. Electronic transmission guarantee: Providing businesses the option to electronically submit any required documentation to the Government of Ontario instead of more costly paper submissions.

These proposed changes would support Ontario’s five-year, $650-million Business Growth Initiative that is helping to grow the economy and create jobs by promoting an innovation-based economy, helping small companies scale-up and modernizing regulations for businesses.

Supporting small businesses is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUOTE

“We want to ensure Ontario’s economic climate continues to thrive and grow. We are doing that with our plan to reduce barriers and unnecessary fees. That’s why we are working towards a transformational shift in the way we approach regulations. We are committed to reducing red tape – action that will help create jobs and build a competitive business environment.”

— Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Growth

“We heard from the small business community that the fee to sell alcohol was too high for small grocers. So, we took action. Our independent grocers are a critical component of a prosperous province. These business owners contribute by creating jobs and strengthening local economies. Supporting these business owners by cutting red tape and reducing fees will create new opportunities for growth across Ontario.”

• Jeff Leal, Minister Responsible for Small Business

“On behalf of independent grocers in Ontario, the reduction of AGCO inspection fees is welcomed and applauded by our association. In an increasingly competitive industry, this will be helpful to our small business members, and demonstrates the government’s understanding of the unique challenges faced by small businesses.”

— Gary Sands, Senior Vice President, Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and Chair, Small Business Matters Coalition

“Galleria is pleased to host this announcement and welcomes the government’s actions to reduce AGCO inspection fees.‎ For independent stores like Galleria, this will help us to remain competitive.”

— Brad Jeffrey Min, CEO of Galleria Supermarket

 

QUICK FACTS

• Across the province, there are now up to 208 grocery stores authorized to sell beer and cider. This includes 44 independent grocers that are eligible for the fee reduction.‎
• Ontario is committed to reducing business costs and burdens while maintaining a competitive tax environment. The government’s recent business tax reforms have cut taxes and lowered compliance costs to encourage investment and job creation.
• Ontario has introduced legislation that would, if passed, lower household electricity bills by 25 per cent on average, with rates being held to inflation for four years. The proposed Fair Hydro Act, 2017, would result in lower electricity bills for all residential consumers and as many as half a million small businesses and farms, starting this summer.

LEARN MORE

Read the 2017 Ontario Budget

 

Daniel Bitonti, Minister’s Office, 416-325-7569 Jessica Hume, Communications Branch, 416-325-2479

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