Ontario's online sales, booze-by-mail plan: How will it work?

Ontario nowoffers onlinealcohol sales, complete with an e-commerce website andhome delivery via Canada Post.

Yesterday Finance Minister CharlesSousaannounced the launch of online sales and home deliverythrough LCBO.com.

• LCBO launches online sales of beer, wine, cider, spirits

Customers can now buy nearly 5,000 products online and have them delivered to their home or localLCBOlocation.

Sousa saidonline alcohol saleswill boost conveniencefor customers and help Ontario's smaller wineries, breweries and cider producers reach a wider market.

But how, exactly, will online sales and delivery work?

Here are the basics:

Can I buy one beer?

No. There is a $50 minimum purchase.

So ... is home delivery free?

No. It's $12 per order, plus tax. Sending your orderto a local LCBO store for pickup is free though.

How long will it take for my potent potables to arrive?

The LCBO's website says onlineorders for home delivery will be made within twoto threedays. Online orders will be available for pickup at any LCBO store within fourto 12days.

So ...willI get carded by my letter carrier?

You might. The LCBO saysCanada Post workers will ask for ID at the door if it appears a customer may be under 19.If there's no of-age adult to accept delivery, theywill return the order to a postal centre for customer pickup. The LCBO websitesaysCanada post "has a successful track record of handling and delivering products responsibly from wineries and for other liquor boards."

Speaking on Metro Morning today, Sousa said Canada Post "already do deliver sensitive material through the post and they'll follow those protocols and they've been trained to do so." Sousa said he believes postal workersare being trained "with LCBO assistance" on how to identify underage customers.

Can I buy booze that isn't in the LCBO stores?

Yes. The LCBOwebsite is now listingabout5,000 local, Canadian and international wines, beers, ciders and spirits. But up to 16,000 different products will be offered by 2017.

How much will this add to the LCBO's bottom line?

On Metro Morning,Sousa said he estimates annual online sales will be in the $15 to $20 million range. LCBO already delivers about $1.9 billion in annual revenue to Ontario's bottom line.

Why isthe government widening access to adangerous product?

Sousa said the LCBO has a good track record in delivering its product safely, and said this will continue with online sales.