Tag Archives: Charles Sousa

Ontario Intro’s Online Alcohol Sales And Delivery Via LCBO.COM

Ontario is offering a new and convenient way to buy alcohol products by introducing online sales through LCBO.com.

Order beer with your iphone & open it when it is delivered with your iphone case!
Order beer with your iphone & open it when it is delivered with your iphone case!

Starting today, LCBO consumers can buy online up to 5,000 different products from across Canada and 85 other countries. Customers can choose to have their order sent to an LCBO store of their choosing for pick up, free of charge, or choose to have it delivered directly to their home, anywhere in Ontario.

Ontario beverage alcohol producers will have access to greater “virtual” shelf space, which increases their reach to consumers who may not always have access to their product in their local store. This is the government’s latest step to expand options for buying alcohol, including the sale of beer in grocery stores last December, cider this June and the arrival of wine this fall.

Today’s e-commerce launch strengthens LCBO’s ability to generate revenue for Ontarians and continue to fund key public services such as health care and education.

Ontario is expanding access responsibly. In partnership with Canada Post, the LCBO will ensure that online orders are only handled by and delivered to adults of legal drinking age. Ontario is also developing a comprehensive alcohol policy to support the safe and responsible consumption of alcohol.

Supporting more choice and convenience for consumers, while improving opportunities for businesses, is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUOTES

“This exciting launch of LCBO.com gives consumers greater choice and convenience while increasing opportunities for Ontario’s dynamic beverage alcohol producers. LCBO’s new e-commerce platform will continue to maintain a high standard of socially responsible distribution, while helping Ontario’s wine, beer and spirits businesses grow and create good, well-paying jobs in communities throughout Ontario.”
— Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance

George Soleas
George Soleas

“Online shopping at LCBO.com enables us to offer a convenient customer experience in a changing marketplace. This e-commerce platform draws on our local and international supplier relationships and buying power, efficient supply chain and extensive store network– bringing our customers across Ontario better access to a world of products. This new virtual LCBO store is a natural extension of our in store shopping experience.— George Soleas, President and CEO, LCBO

QUICK FACTS

§  Up to 5,000 individual products are now available online, including exclusives beyond the LCBO’s current catalogue. The total could grow to more than 16,000 over time.

§  Consumers can have Canada Post deliver products securely and responsibly directly to their home anywhere in Ontario for $12 per order plus tax. They can also have them shipped free for pickup at any of the LCBO’s 655 stores. A $50 minimum applies to online orders.

§  The LCBO had another record year in 2015–16, with sales of $5.57 billion, up 6.8 per cent year over year. It paid a dividend of $1.935 billion to Ontario, an increase of $130 million.

§  Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Québec Premier Philippe Couillard and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark recently committed to greater choice, convenience and expanded access to wines produced in their provinces through online ordering.

§  The Premier’s Advisory Council on Government Assets stated in its final report that it strongly supports the LCBO’s e-commerce launch because it will improve consumer choice.

LEARN MORE

§  The LCBO’s news release and backgrounder on online sales

§  The LCBO’s commitment to responsible retailing and consumption

§  Ontario’s programs supporting responsible consumption of beverage alcohol

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Disponible en français

L’Ontario lance un service de vente en ligne via LCBO.com

Des produits du Canada et de 85 autres pays au bout des doigts du consommateur

NOUVELLES

L’Ontario offre un moyen nouveau et pratique d’acheter des produits alcoolisés en offrant un service de vente en ligne via LCBO.com.

À compter d’aujourd’hui, les clients de la LCBO pourront acheter en ligne jusqu’à 5 000 produits du Canada et de 85 autres pays. Ils pourront faire livrer leur commande à un magasin de la LCBO sans frais, ou encore directement à leur domicile n’importe où en Ontario.

Les producteurs ontariens de produits alcoolisés auront accès à des rayons « virtuels » plus vastes, ce qui leur permettra d’atteindre des consommateurs qui ne trouvent pas toujours leurs produits dans le magasin de leur quartier. Il s’agit de la toute dernière mesure prise par le gouvernement pour élargir les options en matière d’achat de produits alcoolisés, qui comprennent la vente dans les épiceries de bière depuis décembre dernier, de cidre depuis ce mois de juin et de vin à compter de l’automne prochain.

Le lancement du service de vente en ligne renforce la capacité de la LCBO de générer des revenus pour la population de l’Ontario et de continuer à financer les services publics clés, dont les soins de santé et l’éducation.

L’Ontario élargit l’accès de façon responsable. La LCBO s’associe à Postes Canada pour s’assurer que les commandes en ligne sont traitées et livrées par des adultes en âge légal de boire. De plus, l’Ontario établit une politique détaillée en matière d’alcool pour appuyer la consommation sûre et responsable d’alcool.

Offrir plus de choix et de commodité aux consommateurs, tout en améliorant les possibilités pour les entreprises fait partie du plan économique du gouvernement, qui vise à favoriser l’essor de l’Ontario et à concrétiser sa principale priorité, à savoir stimuler l’économie et créer des emplois. Ce plan en quatre volets consiste notamment à aider plus de gens à obtenir et à créer les emplois de l’avenir en élargissant l’accès à des études collégiales et universitaires de haute qualité. De plus, le plan permet le plus important investissement de l’histoire de l’Ontario dans l’infrastructure des hôpitaux, des écoles, des routes, des ponts et des transports en commun et investit dans une économie sobre en carbone guidée par des entreprises innovatrices, à forte croissance et axées sur l’exportation. Enfin, le plan aide la population ontarienne active à bénéficier d’une retraite plus sure.

CITATION

« Le lancement de LCBO.com est un événement réjouissant qui donne aux consommateurs plus de choix et de commodité tout en accroissant les possibilités pour les producteurs dynamiques de boissons alcoolisées de notre province. La nouvelle plateforme de vente en ligne de la LCBO maintiendra une norme élevée de distribution socialement responsable, tout en aidant les producteurs ontariens de vin, de bière et de spiritueux à prendre de l’expansion et à créer de bons emplois bien rémunérés dans toute la province. »

— Charles Sousa, ministre des Finances

« LCBO.com nous permet d’offrir aux consommateurs un service de vente en ligne pratique sur un marché en évolution. Cette plateforme tire parti des relations que nous entretenons avec nos fournisseurs locaux et internationaux, de notre pouvoir d’achat, de notre chaîne d’approvisionnement efficace et de notre vaste réseau de magasins, afin d’offrir aux consommateurs ontariens un meilleur accès à une myriade de produits. Ce nouveau magasin virtuel de la LCBO est un prolongement naturel de l’expérience que nous offrons dans nos magasins. »

— George Soleas, président-directeur général, LCBO

EN BREF

·         Jusqu’à 5 000 produits individuels sont maintenant offerts en ligne, y compris des articles exclusifs ne figurant pas dans le catalogue actuel de la LCBO. À terme, le total pourrait atteindre plus de 16 000 produits.

·         Les consommateurs peuvent faire se livrer les produits de façon fiable et responsable par Postes Canada directement à leur domicile, n’importe où en Ontario, au coût de 12 $ la commande plus la taxe. Ils peuvent aussi recevoir leur commande sans frais dans l’un des 655 magasins de la LCBO. Un minimum de 50 $ s’applique aux commandes en ligne.

·         2015-2016 a été une nouvelle année record pour la LCBO qui a enregistré des ventes de 5,57 milliards de dollars, soit une augmentation de 6,8 % d’une année sur l’autre. Elle a versé un dividende de 1,935 milliard de dollars à l’Ontario, ce qui représente une hausse de 130 millions de dollars.

·         Kathleen Wynne, première ministre de l’Ontario, Philippe Couillard, premier ministre du Québec, et Christy Clark, première ministre de la Colombie-Britannique, se sont récemment engagés à offrir plus de choix et de commodité ainsi qu’un meilleur accès aux vins produits dans leurs provinces grâce au service de commande en ligne.

·         Dans son rapport final, le Conseil consultatif de la première ministre pour la gestion des biens provinciaux a indiqué qu’il appuyait vivement le lancement du service de vente en ligne de la LCBO parce qu’il offrira plus de choix au consommateur.

POUR EN SAVOIR PLUS

§  Communiqué et document d’information de la LCBO concernant le service de vente en ligne

§  Engagement de la LCBO envers un service de vente au détail et une consommation responsables

§  Programmes de l’Ontario favorisant la consommation responsable d’alcool

New Ontario Gov’t Tax Credit to Benefit Farmers and Communities

A new tax credit is helping put nutritious, fresh, locally grown food on the plates of those who need it most.

The Food Donation Tax Credit for Farmers — the only one of its kind in Canada — is giving farmers a tax credit valued at 25 per cent of the fair market value of the agricultural products they donate to community food programs, including food banks and student nutrition programs.

The tax credit is a part of the Ontario government’s local food strategy and Local Food Act, 2013 to promote the good things that are grown and harvested across the province.

Building a stronger agri-food industry is part of the government’s economic plan to support a dynamic and innovative business climate, invest in people and invest in infrastructure.

QUOTES

“This new tax credit will help farmers donate more fresh food to their local food banks, which will support our farmers, drive local economic growth, and benefit families in communities across the province.”

— Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance

“This new tax credit is an integral part of our government’s commitment to support farmers, increase access to nutritious, locally grown food and promote the good things that are grown right across the province.” Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
“This new tax credit is an integral part of our government’s commitment to support farmers, increase access to nutritious, locally grown food and promote the good things that are grown right across the province.”
Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

 

“Ontario’s farmers have a long tradition of donating their agricultural products to charitable causes, and we believe this credit will both honour that tradition and help motivate others to donate.”

Neil Currie, General Manager, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

“Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy local food, and we applaud the Ontario government for introducing a tax credit that will encourage more farmers to make that food available to families and individuals who need it most. Many food bank clients do not receive the recommended daily servings of fruits, vegetables, and protein, which causes additional strains on one’s health and well-being. A balanced diet with local, fresh, and nutritious foods will help improve the health of food bank clients as well as the health of communities across Ontario.”

— Bill Laidlaw, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food Banks

“Hamilton Food Share has focused on increasing the amount of fresh product distributed to local emergency food programs as the thousands of people who visit a food bank do not have access to fresh food on an ongoing basis. We remain deeply committed to food security and we believe the new tax credit for farm donations will help us forge new partnerships within the agricultural sector in our community.”

— Joanne Santucci, Executive Director, Hamilton Food Share.

QUICK FACTS

One-third of the 375,000 Ontarians served by a food bank every month are children.
More than 600,000 children and youth participate in breakfast, snack and lunch programs in communities across Ontario.
Under the proclaimed legislation, farmers can claim the new tax credit for donations dating back to Jan. 1, 2014.
Ontario’s agri-food sector contributes about $34 billion to the province’s economy and supports more than 740,000 jobs across Ontario.

LEARN MORE

Find local food sources and organizations on the ministry’s Local Food webpage

Ontario Association of Food Banks

Ontario Student Nutrition Program Network

Student Breakfast Clubs

Seasonal recipes at Foodland Ontario

Province Expanding Student Nutrition Program

Ontario Lunch Breakfast Nutrition Program
Ontario is expanding and enhancing its Student Nutrition Program so that 56,000 more children and youth will get the nutritional boost they need to succeed at school.

The province is making an initial investment of $32 million over the next three years as part of its five year plan to enhance the Student Nutrition Program. Under the new plan, 340 new breakfast programs will be established in elementary and secondary schools that need it most across Ontario. The program will also be expanded to on-reserve First Nations schools, beginning in northern Ontario.

The Student Nutrition Program provides nutritious breakfasts, snacks and lunches to support healthy development so school children are better prepared to learn.

Expanding the Student Nutrition Program is part of Ontario’s plan to break down barriers for low income Ontarians and address the effects of poverty. By promoting student success, it is also part of the government’s economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow by focussing on Ontario’s greatest strength – its people and strategic partnerships.

QUICK FACTS

*   During the 2012-13 school year, over 695,000 school-age children and youth
benefited from more than 4,200 breakfast, lunch and snack programs.
*   Eligible schools are identified based upon socioeconomic data and academic
performance.
*   The Healthy Kids Panel Report “No Time to Wait” highlighted the importance of
school nutrition programs.

LEARN MORE

*   Ontario’s Student Nutrition
Program<http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/schoolsnacks/index.aspx>
*   Student Nutrition Program Nutrition Guidelines
<http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/schoolsnacks/nutrition_guidelines.aspx>
*   Ontario’s Action Plan for Health
Care<http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/ecfa/healthy_change/>

QUOTES

“Nutritious snacks and meals are critical to the success of every child. We want Ontario’s children to reach their full potential, and this investment is one more way we are helping our children succeed.”
— Teresa Piruzza, Minister of Children and Youth Services

“Expanding the nutrition program is an important Ontario initiative to help our students excel. It is critical that our children benefit from a healthy lifestyle and are offered every opportunity to be at their best.”
— Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance

Eat Right Ontario

 

 

Sweet Greens

Ex-Prime Minister of Canada named Special Advisor on Retirement Income Security

Fact: Fewer than 35 per cent of workers in Ontario have a workplace-based pension plan.  Coverage for workers in the private sector is even lower, with only 28 per cent having the benefit of plan membership.
Fact:  Fewer than 35 per cent of workers in Ontario have a workplace-based pension plan. Coverage for workers in the private sector is even lower, with only 28 per cent having the benefit of plan membership.

Government Working on Made-in-Ontario Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premier Kathleen Wynne announced today that the Right Honourable Paul Martin has agreed to serve as Special Advisor to the Minister of Finance. Mr. Martin will work with the government on a made-in-Ontario solution to enhance retirement income security for the people of Ontario.

Charles Sousa- Ontario's Minister of Finance will benefit from Paul Martin's experiences as Canada's Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Finances. CP
Charles Sousa- Ontario’s Minister of Finance will benefit from Paul Martin’s experiences as Canada’s Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Finances. CP

 

The announcement followed a meeting between the Premier and the former Prime Minister, where they discussed the urgent need to help hardworking people build a more secure retirement. As federal finance minister, Mr. Martin played an instrumental role in the 1997 federal-provincial agreement to reform the CPP. These reforms were critical to ensuring the plan would be financially sustainable.

Helping people retire with dignity and security is part of the government’s economic plan to invest in people, build modern infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.

QUOTES

 “I want to thank Paul Martin for taking on this role as Special Advisor. Together, I know we will help protect Ontario’s hardworking people in their retirement with a made-in-Ontario solution that is viable, responsible and puts people first.”

–– Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario

 

“I am pleased that Paul Martin has agreed to act as Special Advisor on retirement income to the government of Ontario. After the federal government failed to agree to enhance the CPP, our government announced that we will move ahead with a made-in-Ontario solution to enhance retirement savings in the province. Paul Martin will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as we work towards ensuring that future generations have a more secure retirement.”

–– Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance

QUICK FACTS

  • The Right Honourable Paul Martin was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada from 2003 to 2006.

 

  • Fewer than 35 per cent of workers in Ontario have a workplace-based pension plan.  Coverage for workers in the private sector is even lower, with only 28 per cent having the benefit of plan membership.

 

  • Retirement savings experts suggest that individuals require 50 to 70 per cent of their pre-retirement income to maintain their standard of living in retirement. Many Ontarians, including middle- and higher-income earners, may not be saving enough to meet this target.

 

LEARN MORE

 Read Securing Our Retirement Future: Consulting with Ontarians on Canada’s Retirement Income System

Disponible en français. Envoyer la demande à   contentproducer@thesilo.ca

Ontario Wants To Intro Financial Accountability Officer

Liberals Financial Accountability OfficerThe Ontario government will introduce legislation to establish a Financial Accountability Officer, an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly. Ontario is the first province in Canada to introduce this oversight measure.

If the legislation is passed, the Financial Accountability Officer would provide independent analysis to all MPPs about the state of the province’s finances, including the Ontario Budget, as well as trends in the provincial and national economies. In addition, at the request of a legislative committee or an MPP, other types of research could be provided by the officer, including the financial cost or benefit to the province of any public bill. The Financial Accountability Officer could also be asked to review and estimate the financial cost or benefit to the province of any proposal that relates to a matter over which the Legislature has jurisdiction, such as the establishment of a new program.

Increasing financial openness is part of the government’s plan to work collaboratively, attract investment, create jobs and help people in their everyday lives.

“We are proposing the creation of a Financial Accountability Officer to further
enhance the openness and transparency of government.  This would also include the
financial assessment of any public bill brought forward to the Legislature by an
MPP.  The work undertaken by this independent officer will help better inform the
house on possible financial impacts of a proposed bill and increase information
available to Ontarians.”
– Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance

“We are fulfilling our commitments with the introduction of the Financial
Accountability Officer Act. I look forward to working with the opposition to pass
this Bill and other important legislation that we will be debating this fall.
Ontarians want to see minority government working, and I’m optimistic we’ll be able
to make progress in the Legislature.”

– John Milloy, Government House Leader

QUICK FACTS

§  The Financial Accountability Officer would be selected by a panel consisting of
one member from each recognized party, chaired by the Speaker of the Assembly who is
a non-voting member.
§  The Financial Accountability Officer would produce an annual report on or before
July 31 of each year.
§  The establishment of a Financial Accountability Officer builds on previous
government actions to enhance accountability and transparency, such as the Fiscal
Transparency and Accountability Act, 2004.

LEARN MORE

Read the 2013 Ontario Budget http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2013/
Disponible en français