TORONTO - The Liquor Control Board of Ontario is launching an online site where people can purchase nearly 5,000 products and have them shipped to their home or a local LCBO store.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa says LCBO.com shows the government-owned liquor agency's commitment to evolve and modernize.

Sousa says the endless "virtual shelf space" will give people a huge selection of beer, wine and spirits right at their fingertips.

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Purchases would be delivered to a local LCBO store for free or to a customer's home through Canada Post for a fee.

Sousa says wines from British Columbia and Quebec will also be available at LCBO.com thanks to an agreement reached last week by the premiers of the three provinces.

The LCBO says 800 of the products available online will be exclusive to LCBO.com and will not be available in any of their retail outlets.

Here's how alcohol is sold in other Canadian provinces:

British Columbia: Beer, wine and spirits are sold in provincially-owned and private liquor stores. Craft beer can be purchased at the brewery.

Alberta: Beer, wine and spirits are sold in privately owned liquor stores.

Saskatchewan: Beer, wine and spirits are sold at provincially owned liquor stores, rural franchises licensed by the government, and in three privately owned stores. Beer, wine and spirits are also available at various "off sales" attached to bars and restaurants.

Manitoba: There is a mix of government-run and private wine and beer stores. Hotels are allowed to sell beer as licensed vendors, similar to "off sales."

Quebec: Beer and wine are sold in grocery stores and corner stores. Wine, spirits and select beer are sold in government-run outlets.

Nova Scotia: Beer, wine and spirits are sold at provincially owned liquor-store outlets. Some beer, wine and spirits are available at some private stores.

New Brunswick: Beer, wine and spirits are sold in provincially owned liquor store outlets. A limited selection of wines is available at some grocery stores.

Prince Edward Island: Beer, wine and spirits are sold at provincially owned liquor store outlets and a number of licensed agency stores.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Beer is available in various convenience stores. Liquor and beer are sold at provincially owned liquor store outlets. Wine is only sold at provincially owned liquor store outlets.