Close X
Saturday, September 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Saskatchewan Turning Over 40 Government-Owned Liquor Stores To Private Hands

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Nov, 2015 11:49 AM
    REGINA — The Saskatchewan government is shaking up liquor sales by selling 40 of its 75 liquor stores to make them private outlets.
     
    Don McMorris, minister for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, says it was time to modernize how booze is sold.
     
    "There's been 70 years of regulation protectionism built up in this system and we don't get rid of it all, but we take a very large step, first step, maybe last step, I don't know, into the future," McMorris said Wednesday.
     
    "So we take a step kind of tearing a lot of that back and by doing that, I think we give citizens of the province more choice, more convenience and more competitive pricing."
     
    The province will also add 12 new private liquor stores in various communities.
     
    McMorris says the changes will also level the playing field for all stores because they will all have the same rules.
     
    That means all stores will be able to operate between 8 a.m. and 3 a.m., can all sell any type of chilled product, and will pay a uniform wholesale price. Those rules are currently different for government-owned liquor stores, franchises in rural communities, outlets known as off-sales that have the ability to stay open late and four private stores that recently opened in Regina and Saskatoon.
     
    A request for proposal is to be made to select new operators, but government liquor store employees are to get preferential consideration if they want to buy the store.
     
    The overhaul to the liquor system comes after the government launched a consultation in November 2014. McMorris says people spoke up.
     
    "People expected change. People want change, but did they want to go extreme? And that was clear. Certainly some did and some (wanted) status quo," said McMorris.
     
    The minister also says the province should still collect the same amount of revenue because all retailers will have to buy alcohol through the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
     
    It will be up to retailers to set the price for alcohol, but McMorris says he believes 99 per cent of liquor will be sold at about the same price.
     
    The changes won't be implemented until after the provincial election in April 2016.
     
    Premier Brad Wall has said the Saskatchewan Party will campaign on the liquor changes and that winning the election would be receiving approval from Saskatchewan residents.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    5 Things To Watch For In The Canadian Business World In The Coming Week

    The Liberal leader is expected to push his spending and growth agenda as well as meet U.S. President Barack Obama.

    5 Things To Watch For In The Canadian Business World In The Coming Week

    Paris Attacks Prompt Debate Over Trudeau Plan To Pull Out Of ISIS Airstrikes

    Paris Attacks Prompt Debate Over Trudeau Plan To Pull Out Of ISIS Airstrikes
    Deadly terrorist attacks in Paris have prompted renewed debate about the Liberal government's intention to withdraw from airstrikes against the Islamic State, but some experts say there is little reason to rethink the plan.

    Paris Attacks Prompt Debate Over Trudeau Plan To Pull Out Of ISIS Airstrikes

    Book By Notorious Killer Paul Bernardo No Longer Available On Amazon

    Book By Notorious Killer Paul Bernardo No Longer Available On Amazon
    The online retailer did not immediately respond to an email asking whether it removed "A Mad World Order" from its site.

    Book By Notorious Killer Paul Bernardo No Longer Available On Amazon

    Montreal Sewage Dump Wraps Up Three Days Ahead Of Schedule

    In a statement, the city reported its wastewater was once again being treated normally after 89 hours of work.

    Montreal Sewage Dump Wraps Up Three Days Ahead Of Schedule

    Clean Technology 'Revolution' The Silver Lining In Climate Change Gloom: OECD

    Clean Technology 'Revolution' The Silver Lining In Climate Change Gloom: OECD
    OTTAWA — The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development says the world has yet to "turn the corner" on addressing climate change but there is room for optimism.

    Clean Technology 'Revolution' The Silver Lining In Climate Change Gloom: OECD

    Time To Get Rid Of Offensive Indigenous Mascots In Sports: TRC Commissioner

    Time To Get Rid Of Offensive Indigenous Mascots In Sports: TRC Commissioner
     The head of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission says it's time to get rid of offensive indigenous mascots which would never be tolerated if they targeted any other cultural group.

    Time To Get Rid Of Offensive Indigenous Mascots In Sports: TRC Commissioner