Summary#
Bill 141, the Ontario in Your Glass Act, 2026, would amend Ontario’s Liquor Control Board of Ontario Act, 2019. Its stated goal is to promote and report on liquor produced in Ontario. It would require the LCBO to reinvest a percentage of its profits in Ontario liquor producers, with the percentage and rules to be set by regulation.
- The LCBO’s objects would include promoting and reporting on Ontario-produced liquor.
- The LCBO would have to reinvest profits in Ontario liquor producers as regulations direct.
- The Lieutenant Governor in Council could make regulations defining Ontario-produced liquor and Ontario liquor producers, and setting rules for reinvestment and promotion. Those rules could include sales targets, shelf space, purchases from more producers, and store displays.
- The LCBO may consult specified provincial ministers about aligning its operations with agricultural, tourism and economic development strategies. Consultation is permitted, not required.
- The Act could not be interpreted to restrict the import or sale of liquor produced outside Ontario, and must be interpreted consistently with Ontario’s trade obligations.
What it means for you#
- Ontario liquor producers: The bill would require the LCBO to reinvest a portion of its profits in producers, but the amount, eligibility rules and method of reinvestment are left to regulations.
- LCBO: It would have a new promotion and reporting object and a reinvestment duty. Regulations could require it to change sales targets, purchasing, shelf space or displays.
- Liquor buyers and sellers: The bill does not itself restrict the import or sale of liquor produced outside Ontario. Any changes to what the LCBO promotes or stocks would depend on regulations.
- Provincial ministers: The LCBO may consult the named ministers about strategy alignment; the bill does not require them to take part.
- Taxpayers: The bill does not directly create a tax, fee or benefit.
Money#
No cost estimate is available in the supplied material.
- The bill requires reinvestment of a percentage of LCBO profits, but does not set the percentage or explain how the amount would be distributed.
- Promotion, reporting and any rules made later could involve costs for the LCBO. No estimate is provided.
- The bill does not specify whether reinvested profits would reduce other payments or uses of LCBO profits.
What is unclear#
- The bill does not define “Ontario-produced liquor” or “Ontario liquor producer.” Regulations could set ingredient and production requirements.
- The reinvestment percentage, recipients, payment method and timing are not set in the bill.
- The LCBO’s reporting requirements are not specified.
- Whether regulations will set sales targets, shelf-space rules, or other promotion requirements is unknown; the bill only gives power to make those rules.
- The supplied material does not include the current Act, so the existing rules and how these changes interact with them could not be verified.
Case for#
- The bill appears intended to direct some LCBO profits toward Ontario liquor producers and give the LCBO an explicit role in promoting their products.
- Reporting could make the LCBO’s activity in this area more visible.
- Regulation-making powers could let the government tailor definitions and promotion rules to different products or circumstances.
- The bill expressly preserves the import and sale of liquor produced outside Ontario, subject to trade obligations.
Case against#
- The bill leaves key choices—including the reinvestment percentage and who qualifies—to regulations, so its practical effect is not yet clear.
- Regulations could require changes to LCBO sales targets, shelf space, purchasing and displays, but the bill does not set limits or explain how those choices would be made.
- The bill does not specify how reinvestment decisions would be overseen or reported.
- Promotion, reporting and new requirements could add costs for the LCBO, but the amount is unknown.