Manitoba group fights against liquor in private stores

An online and social media campaign is being launched against the privatization of liquor sales in Manitoba.

The campaign unveiled Monday, called Keeping Liquor Public, is the creation of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and organized labour.

The coalition argues that under a privatized system, retailers would not screen for minors as carefully.

It says store profits could leave Manitoba or Canada instead of being reinvested in health, education and other government programs.

It also says privatization would result in lower wages for liquor store employees and a drop in union membership.

The campaign comes as several other provinces start to allow the sale of booze in grocery stores. Ontario is allowing some supermarkets to sell beer, and the provincial government has indicated that it will soon let some grocers sell wine as well.

Saskatchewan has allowed the opening of some more private liquor stores and B.C. in the last year has permitted some grocers to sell alcohol.

The Manitoba coalition intends to promote public liquor sales on its website, on social media and in brochures, as well as sponsor a study that will compare prices and product availability in various provinces.

Andy Murie, chief executive officer of MADD Canada, said the group has advocated for keeping public liquor sales systems intact ``as much as possible'' for the past 15 years.

``We know if (liquor) is not properly retailed it's going to lead to even more incidents of impaired driving on the roadway,'' he said.

Murie said research has shown private liquor store employees are far less likely to screen for minors.

A British Columbia study found minors were checked for ID 27% of the time in private liquor stores and 80% in public stores in that province's blended system.

Murie said in Alberta, which has a completely private liquor retail system, an Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission probe a few years ago found only 25% of minors were being checked, sparking a crackdown on retailers. Several grocery chains operate liquor stores in Alberta.

He holds Manitoba as an example of how to balance convenience with responsibility. It has opened public retail outlets in grocery stores and at Winnipeg's Richardson International Airport.

Michelle Gawronsky, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, which represents public liquor employees, said a provincial Liberal party promise to privatize liquor sales was not the impetus for the campaign, but it did spur it along.

``It's brought us forward, definitely,'' she said.

Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats say they support a public retail system.

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries employees refused sales to 15,500 minors and 19,000 intoxicated customers last year, the coalition said.

The Crown corporation also funded responsible-driving campaigns.

The corporation generated $280 million in profits for use in government programs, including addictions counselling.