Liquor Control Board of Ontario

• Liquor Control Board of Ontario

• LCBO

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) was established in 1927 to regulate the sale of alcohol in the province following the repeal of the Ontario Temperance Act, which had severely restricted alcohol sales. The LCBO replaced the former Board of License Commissioners for Ontario, which had administered the Ontario Temperance Act.

In 1944, the licensing, inspection and regulation of hotels and other drinking establishments was removed from the jurisdiction of the LCBO through the creation of the Liquor Authority Control Board of Ontario (renamed the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario in 1946).

The internal structure of the LCBO has varied little since the 1950's. From 1944 to 1975 the Board was headed by a Chief Commissioner and his staff, including a Deputy Chief Commissioner. The other major figure in charge of operations was a Comptroller, known after 1963 as the General Manager.

In 1975 a new Liquor Control Act was passed, establishing the LCBO as a crown corporation. The functions of the Board were not changed significantly, although the organization within the Board was altered. The Commissioner was replaced by a Chairman. The position of General Manager continued to exist until 1985 when it became known as Executive Vice President in charge of operations.

Throughout this time, the Board has also maintained sections which have been responsible for legal affairs, accounting and personnel, inspections of stores, management of store operations, stock administration, and distribution.

The Board has been attached to a number of departments and ministries since it was established. These include: the Department of the Attorney General (1927- 1935; 1943-1945); the Department of the Provincial Secretary (1935-1943; 1955- 1961); the Department of the Provincial Secretary and Citizenship (1961-1972); and the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations since 1972. During the period 1945-1955, the LCBO was attached to a Minister without Portfolio.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is responsible for distributing spirits, wine and beer to consumers and licensed establishments throughout Ontario through retail stores and Brewer's Retail stores. The Board also tests all wine and liquor products sold to the public and establishes prices for beer, wine and spirits. Prior to 1944, and the establishment of the Liquor License Board of Ontario, the LCBO was also responsible for issuing liquor licenses to, and inspecting, hotels in the province.

The Liquor Control Act, Statutes of Ontario 1927, Chap. 70

The Liquor Control Act, Statutes of Ontario 1975, Chap. 27

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

KWIC Index to Services, 1989-90

LCBO Annual Report, 1927

Canadiana Name Authorities, 1996-12-24

Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations Annual Reports, 1977-present

Liquor Control Authority Board of Ontario Annual Reports, 1944-1946

Liquor Control Board of Ontario Annual Reports, 1927-1944

Ontario Government Telephone Directories

Archivist(s):
R. Anger