Top LCBO executive is in a ‘clear conflict of interest’ and ‘betrayed the public trust’, public accountability advocates and labour leaders say

The head of the LCBO is managing a public crown corporation at the same time as he sits on the board of a big business lobby group that is actively lobbying Doug Ford’s government to privatize alcohol sales.

George Soleas, the President and CEO of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, a public crown corporation that generates $2.5 billion in revenue for Ontario taxpayers each year, also currently serves on the board of directors of the Retail Council of Canada.

The Retail Council of Canada, which bills itself as “the Voice of Retail™ in Canada,” is actively lobbying the Government of Ontario to privatize alcohol sales. The lobby group has recently been quoted in press releases issued by Doug Ford’s government endorsing their plans to privatize alcohol sales.

According to lobbying records, the RCC was lobbying provincial government ministries earlier this year on “the future of alcohol policy” – specifically on “how to increase choice and convenience for consumers.”

The Retail Council of Canada’s members include big corporations that would gain a substantial financial benefit from privatizing alcohol sales, including Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro and Walmart.