Kitchener duo targets Ontario booze sales in new film

Two local filmmakers who are making a documentary that turns a critical eye on alcohol sales in Ontario have surpassed their Kickstarter goal just days before the online fundraising campaign ends. 

Peter Lenardon and AJ Wykes are exploring the monopolies held by the LCBO and The Beer Store for their film, 'Straight Up: The Issue of Alcohol in Ontario.'  They're about $1500 over their $10,000 Kickstarter goal. 

Peter Lenardon says a discussion on the issue is long overdue.

"No one has taken a step back and looked at the entire process of alcohol retail in Ontario and we thought how can we make this equitable for consumers and how can we make it a good opportunity for Ontario producers."

Lenardon and Wykes are critical of alcohol prices and product availability in Ontario liquor stores.

"There are hundreds of small and medium sized wineries and breweries in Ontario creating thousands of unique, tasty, interesting, locally-made products, the majority of which will never see the inside of an LCBO or Beer Store outlet," they write on their Kickstarter page. 

The duo will also take a look at The Beer Store's near-monopoly, a particularly contentious issue given that the three companies who make up the conglomerate behind The Beer Store are foreign-owned. 

Earlier Tuesday on The Morning Edition, Premier Kathleen Wynne said her administration is open to re-examining Beer Store operations, but won't consider the option to sell alcohol in convenience stores.