The LCBO began its first strike in history at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 5, shuttering almost 700 locations of the government-run alcohol retailer across Ontario — and here's why this news has people furious with Loblaw executive and real-life cartoon villain Galen Weston Jr.

With over 9,000 Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) workers on strike, there is plenty of anger being directed at Premier Doug Ford's provincial government over what the union has referred to as 'Ford's Dry Summer.'

But commenters saying that the strike justifies Ford's controversial and costly move to introduce beer and alcohol sales to more grocery stores (when, in fact, the strike was actually triggered by said move) are being met with backlash, arguing that grocery titans like Weston are wealthy enough as it is.

I support the workers.. this is a public revenue generator- it should not be privatized like the 407. Galen Weston has enough of our $$

— kittykatt (@greenpea71) July 5, 2024

In a heated argument about the strike, one user wrote that the introduction of grocery store beer sales would not benefit consumers looking for value.

Also I’m sorry but anyone who knows anything about Canadian retail knows that consumers will not benefit when people like Galen Weston control prices. They will gauge it to the highest possible price and they will work with competitors to ensure it stays that way.

— URNobody (@forsurenotabot_) July 5, 2024

Another argued that while grocery stores might indeed prove cheaper than the LCBO, "Galen Weston will not pay for your healthcare, education, roads or anything."

If someone is going to extract that much profit out of the sale of alcohol, why wouldn’t we prefer it to be our government so that they can pay for our services? Galen Weston will not pay for your healthcare, education, roads or anything.

— Evan (@Evan0698) July 5, 2024

Others shared this sentiment of the LCBO's profits supporting public coffers instead of making a very rich person even wealthier.

Now those $ will go to Galen Weston, owner of grocery stores, not us. Stupid thing to say.

— Shaggy (@sha_shaggy) July 5, 2024

In another argument about the strike, one user slammed unions for job actions like these, while another defended OPSEU, once again dragging Galen Weston into the conversation.

"Galen Weston and his cronies making record breaking profits/stock buy backs and still paying minimum wage. FYI in Alberta the booze is just as expensive. It's cheaper in Quebec where they have the SAQ same as LCBO."

Though there's currently no certain answer on when the strike will end, stores will remain closed for at least 14 days and will resume normal operations if an agreement between OPSEU and the province is reached.

If no deal is struck, a select 32 stores in the province will reopen Friday through Sunday with limited hours, while the rest will remain shuttered.

With files from Phoebe Knight