It's a move that could shake up the beer, wine and grocery industries in Ontario.

A report says the province is set to allow major supermarket chains to sell beer and wine.

The move would come decades after politicians began talking about allowing booze in corner stores.

Beer and wine sales are worth about $5 billion per year and hundreds of Ontario grocery stores would be candidates.

The report quotes sources as saying the Beer Store -- which holds 80 per cent of the beer market -- would pay a franchise fee of as much as $100-million per year.

While the proposal would also allow select craft beers into grocery store beer aisles, it's not something Ontario craft brewers are raising a glass to.

“Frustrating is probably a mild way to say it,” says Railway City Brewery president John Peart.

He says craft brewers are not allowed to open their own off-site stores and allowing a limited few into grocery chains would squeeze out those already handcuffed by regulations.

“If there's a very select few...craft beers in Ontario that get into these stores then you're going to see job losses. You're going to see a whole bunch of things. There's going to be a real rationalization in the craft brewing industry. It's going to be hard for them to get into those stores and compete."

Under the proposal, beer and wine would be found right in grocery aisles as opposed to a cordoned-off area.

Hard liquor would continue to be sold at Ontario LCBO outlets only.

This is by no means a done deal but Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has said she wants to change the way beer and wine are sold in Ontario.

This pleases the Retail Council of Canada, which represents all the big chains including Loblaws, Sobeys, Walmarts and Metro and Costco.

The vice-president of that council, David Wilkes, says his organization has been in talks with Ontario's government.

"The premier has said on numerous occasions that she is looking for grocers with a strong reputation of selling products in a responsible manner as part of that solution," says Wilkes, "and we are working with her closely to bring that to fruition."

At an event in Ottawa, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli would not confirm that's what is on the table.

"We're still looking at different ways to deal with these issues," Chiarelli said. "Negotiations are still going on with the Beer Stores and LCBO but we have good options and will be announcing them in near future."

Any changes would likely be announced within the upcoming spring budget.