Ontario premier ‘absolutely willing’ to act on asset panel’s recommendations

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she is “absolutely willing” to take on the ideas suggested by a government advisory panel _ which include targeting the profits of the foreign-owned Beer Store.

The special panel, headed by Ed Clark, president and CEO of TD Bank Group, is looking at ways to get maximum value out of the Liquor Control Board, Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One.

Clark’s panel won’t report until next spring, but he says they’re recommending that the government maintain ownership of all three Crown corporations.

He also says the Beer Store, run by three foreign-owned brewers, should give taxpayers “a fair share of the profits” generated by its virtual monopoly on beer sales.

Speaking today in Windsor, Ont., Wynne says Clark has laid out some “challenging ideas,” and while she says it won’t be easy, she is willing to act on them.

When asked specifically if she would go after Beer Store profits, she says her message is that she is going to make public assets work for the people of Ontario and will make sure there is “to the greatest degree possible” a rational distribution system.

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