Protip to the powers that be. If you’re going to declare a crown corporation an essential service during a pandemic, make sure it’s equipped to handled the pandemic!
This week, we all got the surprise (not a surprise) announcement that Ontario schools would be shut down indefinitely post our current April Break. This in the midst of a shutdown or lockdown or whatever it’s called now. We’re told to shop curbside primarily, most retail stores are closed to indoor browsing. Restaurants are limited now to only curbside pick up. Only essential businesses are allowed to remain open. Amongst those essential businesses is the LCBO.
Now I’m sure you’re thinking “Hey, great, I’ll just stock up on some of my favourite wines or craft beers and just hunker down and entertain myself and my family for the time being.” How am I supposed to order from the LCBO in these times of uncertainty? Well online of course. Just like every one else is told they are to pivot to now. You can order from the LCBO online, except for one caveat. If you’re sitting on gift cards from a birthday or from Christmas, you can’t use them.
Yep, that’s right. Every other retailer in the world enables you to cash in gift cards online for purchases. Not the LCBO though. That is too advanced for the government’s monopoly run liquor retailer. Don’t believe me? Visit the website here and try to use your own gift cards to purchase something:
Normally, this would just be a sign of a policy that would cost a company money. However, it’s a government run business. In the middle of a government mandated lockdown. This has been going on for a year now. There has been plenty of time to ensure your payment system is on par with the 21st century economy.
This has just been another inconsistent messaging mistake in a long line of mistakes from this government. How can you tell people to stay at home and use curbside for essential services like the LCBO, but not provide them with the tools to do so? This may seem inconsequential, but it’s just another example of the left hand not knowing what the right is doing. Which at this point, really shouldn’t be surprising to any of us.
Joel MacLeod.ca 