Ontario rejects call to sell craft beer and local wines in convenience stores

TORONTO - Premier Kathleen Wynne says Ontario's Liberal government has no plans to allow the sale of beer and wine in corner stores.

The Ontario Convenience Stores Association -- which includes Avondale, 7-11 and Mac's as well as Petro-Canada, Imperial Oil and Canadian Tire -- wants to sell local wines and craft beers.

Wynne says the government will expand the availability of Ontario beers and wines in specialty stores, but won't agree to making them available in convenience stores.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa says the Liberals will also put LCBO outlets in 10 grocery stores as a pilot project.

Sousa says the government-run liquor stores and the foreign-owned Beer Store do a good job of keeping minors from buying booze.

The Progressive Conservatives have released a white paper calling for the expansion of beer and wine sales to privately owned retail outlets.