Effective July 1, 2026, new regulatory changes will allow for greater flexibility in the distribution and delivery of liquor, supporting an expanded alcohol marketplace in Ontario.
The changes impact how Grocery Store Licensees (GSL) and Convenience Store Licensees (CSL) can transfer, deliver, and hold liquor. They also introduce a new Affiliate Delivery Licence (ADL) for how GSL and eligible CSL can deliver and hold liquor and reclassify the existing Licence to Deliver as a General Delivery Licence (GDL).
The Ontario Government made these amendments to O. Reg. 746/21: Licensing under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA), on March 26, 2026
To support these changes, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated the Registrar’s Standards for Grocery and Convenience Stores and the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor to ensure continued safe and responsible liquor sales and delivery.
As the liquor marketplace continues to evolve, the AGCO is reminding licensees of their responsibility to stay informed of changes and ensure their business operations remain compliant.
Changes for Grocery and Convenience Store Licensees
Product transfers between licensed grocery and convenience stores
GSLs and CSLs can now transfer liquor between their own licensed retail stores or affiliated licensed retail stores. The licences for the retail stores must be held either by the same licensee or by a licensee and an affiliate of the licensee.
The following conditions also apply:
- Neither of the licences may be under suspension, and no proposal to revoke or suspend either licence may have been issued.
- The transfer must be carried out or supervised by the licensee or (if applicable) the affiliate.
- The liquor being transferred must have been purchased or previously transferred legally.
- The liquor must be transferred in securely closed containers.
- The licensee or the affiliate must give written notice to the AGCO Registrar before the liquor is transferred.
- There may be no payment exchanged for the transfer of liquor.
See corresponding changes to the Registrar’s Standards for Grocery and Convenience Stores below.
Fulfillment from a Distribution Centre or Warehouse of a Grocery or Convenience Store
GSLs and eligible CSLs can deliver liquor to consumers directly from a distribution centre or warehouse at which that licensee stores liquor. For a CSL to qualify for this new permission, the licensee must hold at least 20 Convenience Store Licences, either alone or along with its affiliates.
See corresponding changes to the Registrar’s Standards for Grocery and Convenience Stores below.
For more information specific to GSL and CSL, please see the Grocery Store Licence Obligation Guide or the Convenience Store Licence Obligation Guide.
General and Affiliate Delivery Licences
General Delivery Licence
All previously issued Licences to Deliver will be reclassified as General Delivery Licences (GDL). There are no changes to the permissions or activities under this licence (e.g., a GDL can continue to deliver liquor from the same sources as before).
If you held a Licence to Deliver prior to July 1, 2026, you do not have to reapply to the AGCO for a new licence. Your licence will automatically continue as a General Delivery Licence, with the same licence conditions.
The Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor and Registrar’s Standards for Grocery and Convenience Stores have been updated to reflect the name change from Licence to Deliver to a General Delivery Licence.
For more information specific to the General Delivery Licence, please see the General Delivery Licence Guide.
Affiliate Delivery Licence
The new Affiliate Delivery Licence (ADL) is available only to applicants that are affiliated with a GSL or eligible CSL. In the case that the applicant is affiliated with a CSL, that CSL must hold at least 20 Convenience Store Licences – either on its own or along with its affiliates.
Note: An affiliate refers to either two or more persons or entities that are partners in the same partnership; members of the same joint venture; or affiliated as defined by the Liquor Tax Act, 1996. The Liquor Tax Act defines a corporation as an affiliate of another corporation if one of them is the subsidiary of the other, if both are subsidiaries of a third corporation or if each of them is controlled by the same person or persons.
Applicants are required to operate a business consisting primarily of the delivery, or the sale and delivery, of products that are available for sale at a grocery store, if the applicant is affiliated with a grocery store licensee, or a convenience store, if an applicant is affiliated with a convenience store licensee.
An ADL holder can deliver liquor and take or solicit orders for the sale of liquor for delivery. The licensee must purchase the liquor it delivers from the affiliated grocery or convenience store. They can deliver liquor from the affiliated grocery or convenience store, or from liquor inventory they hold on behalf of the affiliated grocery or convenience store.
The licensee shall ensure that liquor is not purchased before an order is placed by a customer.
Additional information
- The general conditions for the delivery of liquor found in section 10 of O. Reg. 746/21 apply to the Affiliate Delivery Licensee, such as no delivery to minors or intoxicated individuals, and that liquor must be delivered only between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on any day.
- There are restrictions on the financial relationships the Affiliate Delivery Licensee may have with liquor manufacturers.
For more information specific to the Affiliate Delivery Licence, please see the Affiliate Delivery Licence Guide.
If you wish you apply for an affiliate delivery licence, please visit:
Apply for an Affiliated Delivery Licence
See corresponding changes to the Registrar’s Standards for Grocery and Convenience Stores and the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor below.
Updates to the Registrar’s Standards for Grocery and Convenience Stores
To complement these regulatory amendments, changes have been made to the following Grocery and Convenience Standards:
- Standard 1.5 – Change in Eligibility to Deliver from a Distribution Centre or Warehouse [NEW]
- Standard 6.2 – Storage of Liquor Away from the Grocery Store or Convenience Store
- Standard 7.2 – Order Placed with a Retailer for Delivery
- Standard 7.3 – Order Placed with a General Delivery Licensee or Affiliate Delivery Licensee for Delivery by that Licensee from a Retail Store or a Distribution Centre or Warehouse
- Standard 7.4 – Transfer of Liquor between a Licensed Grocery Store or Convenience Store to Another Licensed Grocery Store or Convenience Store [NEW]
Note: Minor changes have not been listed. Please see the Registrar’s Standards for Grocery and Convenience Stores for the complete changes.
Updates to the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor
To complement these regulatory amendments, changes have been made to the following Interim Standards.
- Interim standard 1.3.1 – Carry Copy of Licence [NEW]
- Interim standard 1.11 – Change in Affiliate Relationships [NEW]
- Interim standard 6.8 – Storage of Liquor
- Interim standard 7.22 – Order Placed with a General Delivery Licensee or Affiliate Delivery Licensee for Delivery by that Licensee from a Grocery Store or Convenience Store Premises
- Interim standard 7.22.1 – Order Placed with an Affiliate Delivery License for Delivery by that Licensee for Inventory Held on behalf of the Affiliated Grocery Store Licensee or Convenience Store Licensee at a Distribution Centre or Warehouse [NEW]
Note: Minor changes have not been listed. Please see the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor for the complete changes.
Contact and Support
For more information, please contact the AGCO anytime via the iAGCO online portal or call AGCO Customer Service Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at 416-326-8700 or toll-free at 1-800-522-2876.