Amid warnings from the world’s largest business organization about the risks of breaking signed contracts, Premier Doug Ford insists a compromise can be reached with the Beer Store to expand sales.Ford said negotiations are continuing despite the Progressive Conservatives’ unilateral cancellation of an accord with the major brewers signed by the previous Liberal government.Under terms of that 10-year “master framework agreement” inked in 2015, taxpayers could be on the hook for $1 billion in financial penalties paid to Molson, Labatt and Sleeman, which control the Beer Store.Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Lucan, near London, the premier vowed “to come up with a great deal for everyone.” “We want to work with the Beer Store and we want to make sure that we commit to the promise that we made to have wine and beer in the corner store,” said Ford, noting he is often asked about the issue, including recently near his Muskoka cottage.“I was in the small town of Port Sydney the other day and there’s one store ... within miles they can go get beer and they were so excited. This couple that has a store and when I went in there, the first question out of their mouth: ‘When can we get beer and wine?’” he said.“Everyone’s requesting it. It’s by the lake, and I don’t think it’s any different than smaller towns like (Lucan).”Last month, then-finance minister Vic Fedeli — who was demoted by Ford in the June 20 cabinet shuffle that anointed new treasurer Rod Phillips — passed hastily crafted legislation scrapping the master framework agreement.Senior government officials, speaking on background in order to discuss sensitive matters, said Dean French, Ford’s then-chief of staff, spearheaded the push to take on the brewers.“Dean felt we needed something to look strong on because we’d backed down that day on the municipal funding cuts,&# ...
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