government-owned stores, in rural government-appointed liquor agencies (which may be a gas station or convenience store). There are also VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wine stores, which are privately owned. They sell only British Columbia wines that have the VQA designation, at the same price as in the government liquor stores. There are also a limited number of private wine shops, which may sell both British Columbia and non-British Columbia wines. In 2012, British Columbia announced it planned to fully privatise liquor wholesale distribution by 2015. In September 2012, the initiative to privatize liquor wholesale distribution was cancelled, a term agreed upon during contract negotiations with the BCGEU. Manitoba – Only hotels may sell chilled domestic beer. Beer, wine, and liquor may be sold only by government-owned Liquor Marts. There are also a limited number of private wine retailers in Manitoba as well. New Brunswick – Only government-owned liquor stores or rural government appointed liquor agencies may sell beer, wine, and liquor. Pandemic-era reforms have allowed pubs and restaurants to sell alcohol to takeaway. However, breweries and cottage wineries may sell directly to the public if they are licensed to do so. Newfoundland and Labrador – Convenience stores may sell beer that is brewed locally. Wine, liquor, and imported beer is sold by only by government-owned liquor stores or rural government-appointed liquor agencies. Nova Scotia – In the past, only the provincially-owned NSLC (Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation) could sell liquor products, including hard liquor, wine, and beer. Many NSLC locations are connected to grocery stores. Over the past five years, the NSLC began to allow a limited number of small private agency stores to operate in rural areas with no NSLC location. Ontario – Most establishments with an on-premise licence (pubs, restaurants, etc.) are permitted to sell alcohol to takeaway in any closed container. Many of these licensed establishments have converted their operations to ‘bottle shops’ selling primarily wine to go. Prior to the implementation of these rules, Ontario maintained a quasi-monopoly consisting of public and privately-owned retailers as well as supermarkets. Beer: Brewers Retail Inc. (operating as The Beer Store) was originally owned by a co-operative of Ontario brewers but is now owned by multinational brewers, mostly based outside Canada, is the only privately-owned entity that can sell beer. Only the provincially-owned Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) may sell spirits or wine, but it also sells beer, particularly in