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Alberta decides against alcohol sales expansion
The Alberta government will not move forward with plans to expand alcohol sales to grocery and convenience stores following a review.
In 1993, Alberta became the first Canadian province to privatise liquor retailing. To date, there are more than 1,600 independent stores selling alcohol in the province.
An advisory committee of members of the legislative assembly (MLA) of Alberta were tasked with exploring the province’s liquor retail model and the impact on the industry if supermarkets and convenience stores were allowed to sell alcohol.
The MLA advisory committee has now concluded the ‘comprehensive’ review, and has recommended to Dale Nally, minister of service for Alberta and red tape reduction, that the province should not proceed with the expansion of liquor sales.
The decision was made following ‘extensive consultations’ with industry representatives, business owners and experts, with the MLA claiming that upholding the current model would ‘protect’ Alberta’s private liquor industry.
Danielle Smith, premier of Alberta, said she was “pleased” to accept the MLA’s advice to maintain the current alcohol model, described as “one of the most open in Canada”.
She continued: “The idea of expanding liquor sales to grocery and convenience stores has been mused about for years. I’m grateful for the significant work done by MLA to look into the feasibility and wisdom of such an expansion and the recommendations they’ve put forward.”
Nally also accepted the committee’s conclusion, adding that the current model “allows small businesses to thrive while providing a wide variety of products and services” and ensures a “level playing field”.
Scott Sinclair, MLA for Lesser Slave Lake and committee member, said an expansion of sales could “significantly harm small businesses and ultimately lead to widespread closures [of independent liquor stores], job losses and diminished selection for consumers”.
In August, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) was hit by strike action. While the dispute has been resolved, the future of the government enterprise could be in doubt.
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