I’m looking into what it takes to start a distillery in Ontario and could really use some advice or firsthand experiences from anyone familiar with the process. I’ve been reading about the different requirements, but it seems like there are quite a few layers of licensing and regulations involved — both federal and provincial and I’d like to make sure I understand everything before moving forward.
From what I’ve learned so far, starting a distillery in Ontario requires approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), along with federal licensing from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). On top of that, there are also municipal zoning requirements, environmental regulations, and health and safety standards to consider. It honestly feels like a lot to navigate, especially for someone starting out.
I recently came across Substance Law, a law firm that seems to specialize in liquor licensing and regulatory compliance across Ontario. Has anyone here worked with them when setting up a distillery or any other alcohol-related business? I’d really like to hear about your experience whether they make the process smoother or if it’s something that can be managed independently with the right research.