LCBO Food & Drink Travel 2025

LCBO NOTES

From our President & CEO

March 8 is International Women’s Day and LCBO is cele brating five years of the Spirit of Inclusion Initiative, a program designed to create opportuni ties for diverse women to enter, advance and thrive in the beverage alcohol industry that has awarded over 40 scholar ships to date. Meanwhile, from March 6 to 23, you can donate alongside your in-store purchase to support Women’s College Hospital’s mission to revolution ize healthcare and help provide equitable access for women and marginalized communities across the province. We’re proud to say that, since 2021, we’ve raised over $11 million in support of Women’s College Hospital Foundation. Finally, I’d like to intro duce a brand-new initiative, announced last month, in part nership with Black Opportunity Fund. It’s our Black Beverage Alcohol Grant Program—pro viding non-repayable $20,000 grants to Black entrepreneurs operating small businesses in the beverage alcohol industry, to help grow their ventures. Beyond finan cial support, the program will also offer capacity-building resources such as mentorship and access to business workshops facilitated by Black Opportunity Fund. This is the latest facet of the LCBO’s Spirit of Sustainability platform, dedicated to creating a sustainable and equitable future for Ontario. Wherever you’re going or whether you’re staying comfort able and warm at home for the last few official weeks of winter, best wishes.

Dear Friends,

Welcome to a special travel themed issue of Food & Drink . Perhaps you’re taking a trip to warmer climates or exploring our home province to enjoy it even more; maybe you’re doing your travelling at this time of year from the comfort of an armchair. Whatever your plans, shopping at the LCBO takes you right around the world through products curated from more than 80 countries, not to men tion every corner of Ontario, and earning Aeroplan points along the way can get you even closer to your next trip. Beyond travel, we’re mak ing it even easier to redeem Aeroplan points when shopping at the LCBO. In late 2024, we launched real-time redemption of Aeroplan points on LCBO.com and the LCBO app, and now you can redeem Aeroplan points towards your purchase in store. By redeeming a minimum of 1,000 points, you get $10 off your purchase, up to a maximum of $250 per transaction. Don’t forget, you can also buy LCBO gift cards using points. It’s something to remember when you’re stock ing up for Easter celebrations or other special occasions. What a wonderful success we had with our “Share the Joy, Give with Purpose” holiday fundraising campaign! Thanks to our generous customers and dedicated retail staff, we raised over $6.2 million in support of the health and well-being of children and families across the province, working with many partners, including CHEO Foundation, Children’s Health Foundation, SickKids, Campfire Circle and McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of you who contributed.

GEORGE SOLEAS President & CEO, LCBO

PORTRAIT BY CARLYLE ROUTH

12

———————— TRAVEL 2025