(A brief foreword by Niagara At Large – So what do you think. Should we stay with the government-run LCBOs and Beer Stores or should we do what New York State and many other jurisdictions on this continent do, and allow the sale of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages in privately run stores?
Do you share the concerns some have that selling any beverage with an alcohol in it in a convenience store may make it easier for under age people or those with drinking problems to get their hands on alcohol?
Do you believe the provincial government should continue to run LCBO and Beer Stores for the hundreds of millions they bring in each year for other services, like health care, or go for whatever immediate money it can get selling these outlets off to the private sector?
We invite you to share your views at the end of this post)
Submitted to Niagara At Large by Ontario’s opposition Progressive Conservative Party
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“Perhaps we’re finally ready to have a province-wide conversation about whether we can be trusted to buy alcohol when and where we like. We’re not children, after all. –Luisa D’Amato, The Waterloo Region Record, August 4, 2012 QUEEN’S PARK – With a $30-billion deficit looming over Ontarians’ heads, the time has come to reconsider every function the government performs, ensuring it focuses on core public services and stops meddling in other areas. The sale and distribution of alcohol needs to be part of that discussion, Ontario PC Finance Critic Peter Shurman said today. “Our province is in a jobs crisis, but the Liberals would rather produce a glossy magazine on summer cocktails than fix the fiscal mess they’ve created for Ontarians,” Shurman said. “On July 25, the Ontario Convenience Stores Association presented a petition with 112,000 signatures calling for the government to ends its monopoly over the liquor market. Despite the potential economic benefits for Ontarians, Dalton McGuinty shot the idea down right away, refusing to even consider it.” Currently, the government is responsible for regulating the province’s liquor market, while also providing all retail and distribution services. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) operates more than 620 retail liquor stores and plans to open 70 new stores over the next two years. “Before rushing to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on new liquor stores, why didn’t the government look at what private sector businesses can bring to market?” Shurman said. “The private sector already runs liquor stores all around the world, providing investment capital to open new stores and letting competition drive products and sales. Government coffers still receive revenue, and public funds go towards more important services – like health care and education – or paying down the debt.” Shurman stated that anytime a monopoly exists in a market, the potential for economic growth declines and higher costs burden consumers. Last year, the Auditor General found the LCBO does not negotiate discounts for high-volume purchases to reduce its costs. The agency could also improve how it selects products, as lackluster ones have stayed on shelves for years despite low customer demand. “In Quebec and B.C., competition from private retailers has improved service and selection for customers. And look – the sky hasn’t fallen in either province,” Shurman said. “We need to meet consumer demand if we want our liquor market to be as strong as possible. The private sector has made proposals on how we can do this, and it’s the government’s job to consider these ideas.” With 600,000 Ontarians out of work and an unemployment rate that has lagged behind the national average for 66 straight months, the government must encourage businesses to invest in the province and create jobs, Shurman continued. “The government needs to stop treating Ontarians like children, and actually engage in the debate about updating our liquor retail system for the 21st century,” Shurman concluded. “It’s time they took action to kick-start Ontario’s economy, instead of getting in the way of economic growth.” (Niagara At Large invites you to share your views on this post below, remembering that NAL only posts comments from individuals who also share their first and last name.)
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Niagara At Large 
Interesting position the Conservatives are taking here. Even if I did believe deregulated alcohol sales would be a good thing, I certainly would never claim this would lower our deficit. LCBO and TBS are the biggest cash cows the government has. Talking about killing the LCBO magazine is talking about killing a jobs effort. Closing LCBOs and TBSs is also going to add to the unemployment line since neither of these efforts will lead to new convenience stores. It just added a product line. Not really any new jobs in that… So the conservative plan seems to be lower deficit by eliminating a government cash cow and fight unemployment by closing two major government employers both of whom are very profitable and employ thousands of employees… Hoping to hear some good plans from the PCs in the future.
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I thought The Beer Store was run by the Labatts corporation, not the government?If the corner stores are allowed to sell beer and liquor, then why not Walmart and Costco?
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It was not that long ago when people could be arrested and fined for having a cold one ,on ones front porch, which happened a lot to American cottage owners in Crystal Beach, the OPP used to patrol the Beach back then, in the UK one could get beer from the off licence at their local pub, France and Germany, one can get beer at their Mc.Donalds ,,I am sick of the way this Papa, DAD ,Mc,Guinty tells us how we should live and what we do, are we still living in the prohibition era, most Canadians are responsible and well behaved citizens. McGuinty needs to be curbed as he is out of control and needs a straight jacket ASAP.
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The Conservative/Reformatories … just want to sell these to the private sector to enrich somebody else’s pocket and of course, it will do nothing for jobs or the deficit. It is sort of like selling your furniture to pay the rent.
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First: full disclosure – I have not consumed any alcohol since October, 1980. I am not an alcoholic, but I came perilously close so voluntarily stopped drinking on my own.
I am strongly opposed to allowing convenience stores to sell liquor or beer.
It will NOT result in more jobs – it will reduce jobs! Hudak wants to close the LCBO stores because the employees are unionized.
Many employees in convenience stores are under the legal drinking age. Does this mean it is okay for them to sell booze — but they can’t drink it? Can they resist peer pressure and refuse to sell to friends? Or will convenience stores have to fire all their employees under the legal drinking age?
Sorry Hudak … you are getting to be as bad as McGuinty for engaging mouth before putting brain in gear!
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I drink so little I might as well be teetotal, but I’m in favour of any store that sells groceries, selling beer and wines as well. I signed that petition.
I would go much further, though, and decriminalize everything. Let the existing beer stores sell marijuana, with the LCBO selling heroin, speed, opium and so on, all of parmaceutical grade and government controlled. Take the profit out of crime and put it in government coffers. Prohibition doesn’t work, it only makes the product more attractive to those who use it and who can obtain it illegally anyway.
This is not a troll. I am quite serious and have discussed this at length with friends, most of whom think I’m crazy, but they’ve likely thought that my bubble has been a little off centre for years. So I’ve been told.
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Will
This conservative crew in Queens Park led by a screw up will say anything that just might get them elected but in reality they propose reducing further the Government revenue base and in so doing can claim that “ALL” social programs must be downsized. … Hudak is like a puppet. Wherever the strings direct him, he will follow. His best bet seems to keep his mouth shut and listen to the needs of the people of Ontario, NOT just the corporate sector.
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I like the idea of beer and wine in grocery stores. Yup, I can buy my bread and beer in the same store like they do in the United states.
Paul Kassay
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I am not of a supporter of Tim Hudak ,he needs to find a serene middle ground and go for pragmatic answers, the Mike Harris formula will not fly anymore, this is Ontario not Alberta, the Bill Davis way of governing would be a far better direction for Tim to follow, otherwise he is destined to the trash can of history.
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I’m in agreement with these thoughtful replies. Yes, Hudak wants them closed as he is anti-union —that’s the real motivation; yes, it will only lead to more unemployment; and yes, the social unrest having liquor in convenience stores (already an almost daily target for thieves somewhere in Ontario, and yes yes yes. On the other hand, I was most surprised several years ago to hear from a colleague what people at the LCBO checkout make per hour. My colleague’s sister worked in that position, and while the sister may have had an undergraduate degree or dimploma in something, my colleague suggested this was certainly not the case. This person made twice my salary per hour, with my graduate degree. I do not begrudge anyone who has a good salary this; more power to them and their collective agreements, say I. I am lucky as I truly enjoyed my work ( not everyone does), even at the chicken-feed I was paid for it.
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Gail, it’s not that the LCBO people were being paid too much.The real issue is that you were not being paid enough.
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Mark, that is exactly my point. As I said, I don’t begrudge anyone a good salary, whatsoever. That my field was poorly paid is well known, and one just accepts it. Take pleasure from the work that you do and know that you are doing a good job. I did, however, have others tell me— aghast at hearing my salary — that I was lucky my husband made a good salary, and of course they were right. In these economic times, I despair for the young adults trying to get a decent job, and to even think of buying a home or raising a family.
Gail Benjafield
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In my opinion, it should be privatized for the following reasons:
1) I am hopeful that the prices of beer, wine and spirits will reflect the hundreds of millions of savings in otherwise redundant salaries and real-estate. Yes I am feel bad for those who would lose their job, but both management and union staff have been greedy little piglets and if you look at the sunshine list it is very represented with LCBO staff.
2) I am against state run monopolies in things that are not critical or necessary in nature ( example: hydro, water…..). The reason; they remove competition from the market place. Competition is a good thing.
3) As a result of increased sales and profit those companies that have elected to sell beer, wine and spirits will pay more taxes. They will have to hire more people to manage inventory, shipping and sales. So on that end it will be a wash except again for those redundant employees.
While they are at it, the Ontario government should look at the excessive taxes placed on this industry. There is something the matter when I can jump the ditch and buy a 30pack of CANADIAN CANS for $19.99 and it goes for over $45 here. Now I know everyone will say; “what about our special programs”. My response; ” there is more than enough room to increase efficiencies, it’s just that the public sector is lazy and complacent.” How many public sector budget stories re: “spending budgets indiscriminantly so you don’t lose it.” have you heard. I’ve heard enough to make me sick.
Just sayin…
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