The Ford government began closed-door talks with the beer and convenience store industries and others this spring, as it has until the fall to declare the future role of the Beer Store.

A 10-year-deal, set to expire in two years, guarantees the Beer Store’s monopoly on the sale of 12-and-24-packs and forbids the sale in corner stores.

Doug Ford said as recently as May that the government’s still committed to the idea, also suggesting beer sales could be expanded to more ”big retailers” like Walmart, which qualifies as a grocery store and already offers suds under current rules.