Premier Dalton McGuinty has made comment on the recent pressure from certain groups to change the way you and I in Ontario buy beer.

There has been some pressure to remove the monopoly that is held by The Beer Store on Ontario beer buyers. When asked is the system should change at a news conference McGuinty said “No, I like the system as it’s found at present,” he said “I don’t think consumers would tell us that. Certainly, Ontarians are not delivering that kind of a message to me.”

Some think The Beer Store is not good for Canada being a foreign-owned operation, it’s a joint venture by American-owned Molson, Belgian-owned Labatt, and Japanese-owned Sleeman. But let’s not forget that all of those were Canadian companies before they were bought by bigger breweries. The Beer Store is also one of Ontario’s rightest supporters and contributors to recycling in Ontario.

Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory also defended The Beer Store but said he’s willing to see change in the area of micro or local breweries. “I’m open to looking at ways in which we can give a fair chance to the craft brewers” by allowing them to sell in corner stores.

Personally I think this is a bad idea. There’s enough underage kids getting cigarettes as it is there’s no need to allow them to get beer as well. There is a better way to help craft brewers. Mandate The Beer Store to drop their prices for entry. Breweries are forced to pay to have thier beers supported in thier local beer store or LCBO. Lower that fee and more Craft beers will be eligible.

Molson has announced that they have been chosen as the official supplier of beer of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games!

I feel sorry for the athletes in from Europe (and even Canada) when all they’ll be able to crack open after stepping up to the podium (if we let them that is) is a Molson Canadian.

In a deal worth between $3 and $15 million dollars Molson is securing it’s place as an official supporter along with the official diamond, bakery and heating insulation.

Multimillion dollar deals like this help take fundraising pressure off of the federal and provincial governments and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (also known as VANOC).

It’s good to see the major labels contributing to our country’s tourism and the Olympic spirit.