LCBO no longer selling Russian vodka

Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says the LCBO will no longer sell Russian vodka.

The province is joining Canada’s allies in condemning the Russian government’s act of aggression against the Ukrainian people and strongly supports the federal government’s efforts to sanction the Russian government, he said.

“The people of Ontario will always stand against tyranny and oppression,” Bethlenfalvy said in a statement Friday. “To that end, I am directing the LCBO to withdraw all products produced in Russia from store shelves.”

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca had written to LCBO CEO Dr. George Soleas asking him to remove all Russian beverages.

“Our allies in Ukraine are under attack by Russia and need our help,” Del Duca said in a statement Friday. “Pulling Russian vodka from the shelves of the LCBO is an immediate action Ontario can take to demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

According to the LCBO website, the retailer carries Russian Standard Vodka, Beluga Russian Luxury Vodka, Russian Standard Gold Vodka and Legend of Kremlin Premium Vodka — all available for home and store delivery.

Russian Prince Vodka is produced in Canada.

Del Duca said banning Russian-made products will prevent any funds from going to the invader.

“I appreciate the financial support Ontario has already offered to Ukraine in their fight against Russia, and I hope the LCBO will consider this measure as another way to restrict Russia’s trade,” he said. “We need to do everything we can to support our allies against the murderous dictator that has invaded Ukraine.”

Crown liquor stores in other provinces announced similar moves Friday.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation and Manitoba Liquor Mart both said on Twitter that they were removing Russian products.

The Doug Ford government announced Thursday that Ontario would donate $300,000 to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation for humanitarian purposes such as medical aid, emergency shelter and food security in Ukraine.

Del Duca also thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the strong support shown to Ukraine.

“Any and all means of cutting off Russia’s economy should be considered. Both provincially and federally,” he said.

Premier Doug Ford, asked several times during a London stop Friday about banning Russian vodka, said his government had discussed it earlier but believed that it would be a “very, very small part” of what is necessary.

Ford said he would be willing to look at any and all measures to bring economic pressure on Russia.

aartuso@postmedia.com