Between the lines: Ford's booze map promo

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ABOVE THE FOLD

BOOZE WARS — Tensions are thicker than ever between Premier DOUG FORD’s government and the union representing nearly 10,000 striking LCBO workers.

The latest: Ford continues to dig in his heels, launching a new interactive map that lays out alternative venues for purchasing alcohol while LCBO stores are closed, or surrounded by picket lines. The map.

Between the lines: We could be in it for the long haul. The map effectively takes away a bargaining chip from OPSEU — if people are already purchasing their booze elsewhere, that’s less leverage for the union. It’s also an opportunity for Ford to win the public over when it comes to his fast-tracked plan to liberalize alcohol sales, to the tune of at least $225 million.

In the promo clip, an apron-clad Ford flips burgers next to a bunch of craft beers. He then sits down at a laptop to test out the new searchable booze map.

Not only will the map help people find alcohol during the strike, says the self-proclaimed teetotalling…