Who doesn’t love an ice-cold beer from a bar, a pub, a liquor store… a gas station? There could soon be up to 8,500 new places to buy low-alcohol drinks in Ontario, thanks to a new plan to speed up an agreement between the province and Beer Store. The cost? At least $225 million of taxpayer money. Is this accelerated effort to “modernize” the alcohol market simply a play for political points ahead of a possible early election call? This month, Allison and Jonathan crack a couple of cold ones and pore over the booze clues. Hosts: Jonathan Goldsbie, Allison Smith Credits: Sam Konnert (Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief), Max Collins (Production Manager), Nathan Burley (Music) Background reading: Doug Ford's change to booze sales could cost far more than $225M - CBCUnder the influence: Doug Ford and the strange history of Ontario’s liquor laws - The Globe and MailOntario has announced big changes to alcohol sales. Here’s how it’ll work - Global Sponsor: Douglas You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime. If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad-free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  Socials: Jonathan Goldsbie on Bluesky: @goldsbie.bsky.social  Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.