On Nov. 18, Charles Sousa, the Ontario finance minister announced that up to 60 licenses to sell beer could be authorized to grocery stores by the end of December. 

Licenses to sell beer were auctioned off to Ontarian grocers. Successful bidders in the license auction include: Coppa’s Fresh Market, Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys and Wal-Mart.

By May 2017, the Ontario government estimates that about 150 supermarkets will be permitted to sell beer. Supermarkets, however, are expected to sell beer in a socially responsible manner, which includes using trained cashiers who are above 19 and selling beer during the same hours as the LCBO and Beer Store.