Hey, your next backyard BBQ conversation just got weird

Here's the thing about Peterborough, we're not exactly Toronto. Our issues often feel a little more… contained. But sometimes, the ripples from the big city make their way up the Otonabee. And today, what's flowing down the river from Queen's Park is just bizarre enough to make you pause. The province has this $79.1 million stockpile of U.S. alcohol — stuff that's been delisted, meaning it's not supposed to be sold anymore. And now, they're talking about spending up to $20 million *a year* just to store it. Think about that for a second. We're talking about booze that nobody wants, sitting in a warehouse somewhere, costing us millions. It just feels… wasteful, doesn't it?

### The Bottle Battle

It really makes you wonder about the bigger picture, doesn't it? We're a city that loves its local breweries and distilleries, places like Publican House or Black's Distillery on Hunter Street. We appreciate local products, and we see the economic benefit when money stays here, flowing through our local businesses. This situation with the delisted alcohol just feels like money going into a black hole.

* **The Core Issue:** Ontario's sitting on $79.1 million worth of U.S. alcohol products that are no longer for sale.

* **The Cost:** Estimates suggest it could cost up to $20 million annually just to keep these bottles in storage.

* **The Mystery:** Why not just... get rid of it responsibly? Or, better yet, why was it delisted without a clear plan for what to do with the existing inventory?

For us here in Peterborough, a city that knows a thing or two about efficient systems – just look at the Lift Lock, an engineering marvel that moves boats with the grace of the river itself – this just feels like a system that’s really dammed up. It’s hard not to connect it to the ongoing conversations about housing, healthcare, and infrastructure dollars that could really make a difference here. $20 million could do a lot for our community, whether it's supporting local arts at Showplace or helping our unhoused neighbours find stable ground.

This is the Electric City — small town, big current. Let's go.

For the full rundown on how this kinda stuff impacts us, tune in to Keith and the crew on the morning show, live at mornings.live.