[LabComm] Local governments concerned over increased availability of liquor, privatization of LDB

Thu Jul 31 15:56:43 PDT 2003

July 31, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local governments concerned over increased availability of liquor,
privatization of LDB

Eighty -nine local governments across the province have passed motions
expressing concern over the provincial government's plans to privatize
the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) and expand the sale of liquor.

The support the union has received makes it clear that there has been
considerable debate over the government's plans. To have this many local
governments debate and forward their concerns to the provincial
government is very impressive.

The BCGEU sent letters to local governments and they have responded with
motions and follow-up letters to Solicitor General Rich Coleman, who is
reviewing the government's liquor policy. 

Typical of the responses is this one from the District of Powell River:
"We are concerned that deregulating liquor sales could increase policing
costs, increased insurance costs, and increased healthcare costs due to
alcohol related problems. These are all serious matters that must be
addressed before implantation."

Mayor Lowe of the City of Victoria writes: "Victoria wants to avoid the
type of liquor related market seen in some American cities with stores
clumped together competing with gaudy advertising for cheap booze."

Mayors and Councils around the province have expressed the concerns of
their residents and the minister is urged to pay close attention to
their comments.

Coleman has advised the BCGEU on two occasions that no final decision
has been made on the future structure of liquor sales in B.C. and that a
public service model is one of the options being considered.

The BCGEU represents around 3,500 employees who work in the retail,
warehousing and related jobs at the LDB.

- 30 -

Note: A list of local governments expressing concern over the
government's plans and a selection of quotes from correspondence is
attached.

Contact: Jeff Fox, BCGEU Communications, (250) 388-9948

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***

Local governments seek input on liquor sales.

The following local governments have called for a moratorium on changes
to liquor regulations, sales and distribution. They have also called on
the provincial government to provide a formal vehicle for public
discussion and community input into these issues.

1. 100 Mile House 

2. Alert Bay 

3. Anmore 

4. Armstrong 

5. Ashcroft 

6. Association of Kootenay and Boundary Municipalities 

7. Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities 

8. Burnaby 

9. Castlegar 

10. Central Saanich 

11. Chetwynd 

12. Clinton 

13. Coquitlam 

14. Courtenay 

15. Cranbrook 

16. Delta 

17. Duncan 

18. Elkford 

19. Esquimalt 

20. Fernie 

21. Fort Nelson 

22. Fort St. James 

23. Fort St. John 

24. Gibsons 

25. Gold River 

26. Grand Forks 

27. Greenwood 

28. Highlands 

29. Hope 

30. Hudson Hope 

31. Invermere 

32. Islands Trust Council 

33. Kamloops 

34. Kelowna 

35. Kimberley 

36. Kitimat 

37. Ladysmith 

38. Lake Cowichan 

39. Langley City 

40. Langley Township 

41. Lions Bay 

42. Logan Lake 

43. Mackenzie 

44. McBride 

45. Maple Ridge District 

46. Merritt 

47. Nanaimo 

48. Nelson 

49. New Denver 

50. New Westminster 

51. North Central Municipal Association 

52. North Cowichan 

53. Northern Rockies Regional District 

54. North Saanich 

55. North Vancouver City 

56. North Vancouver District 

57. Oliver 

58. Osoyoos 

59. Port Alberni 

60. Port Coquitlam 

61. Port Moody 

62. Powell River 

63. Prince George 

64. Prince Rupert 

65. Princeton 

66. Qualicum Beach 

67. Queen Charlotte/Skidegate Landing Management Cttee 

68. Quesnel 

69. Revelstoke 

70. Rossland 

71. Saanich 

72. Salmon Arm 

73. Sechelt 

74. Sicamous 

75. Sidney 

76. Smithers 

77. Sooke 

78. Sparwood 

79. Squamish 

80. Terrace 

81. Tofino 

82. Trail 

83. Tumbler Ridge District 

84. Valemount 

85. Vancouver 

86. Victoria 

87. View Royal 

88. Whistler 

89. Williams Lake 

More municipal governments have the issue on their agenda and are
expected to take a stand on the proliferation of liquor stores in coming
weeks.

Updated July 28, 2003

CEP 467 

*****

Over 89 local governments have called for a "meaningful public
consultation process"

Sample Quotations from local government letters to the Minister
Responsible for the LDB and public comments by councillors/mayors:

"... the current system is working well..."

"... the choice and customer service levels with the BCLDB outlets are
of high standard and the employees are helpful and professional.
Nothing is broken"

City of Kelowna

"...more public input ... concerns such as the potential for
proliferation of liquor stores, community safety as a result of that
proliferation, mitigation of negative social impacts of increased
consumption, and the wisdom of privatizing the system"

City of Prince George

"Alcohol is a drug and we need to keep control of it."

Mayor Randal MacNair, Town of Fernie

"We are concerned that deregulating liquor sales could increase policing
costs, increased insurance costs, and increased healthcare costs due to
alcohol related problems.  These are all serious matters that must be
addressed before implementation."

District of Powell River

"To turn over alcohol sales to for-profit companies, without
consultation with local communities on the social and economic impacts
this will have with respect to job loss and alcohol related criminal
offenses, is irresponsible."

District of Hope

"... we trust you (the Minister) ... will thoroughly consider the
socio-economic implications of turning liquor retailing over to the
private sector."

Village of Burns Lake

"... the extensive retail product and exceptional services provided by
the Rossland liquor store are a vital and significant component in
Rossland's efforts to escalate the economic growth and development of
the Rossland/Red Mountain Area as a four-season recreation resort."

City of Rossland

(on the privatization of liquor stores) "they (provincial government)
could be getting rid of a cash cow and instead getting a lot of
cash-draining problems"

Prince Rupert City Councillor

(on the privatization of liquor stores) "this isn't like selling coffee
or coca-cola.  It's a drug"  "I don't think we should just lay down and
let it happen."

Kamloops Councillor Terry Lake

"alcohol is a unique commodity that should have unique controls ... it's
known to destroy lives or families..."

Port Coquitlam Councillor

"Victoria wants to avoid the type of liquor related market seen in some
American cities with stores clumped together competing with gaudy
advertising for cheap booze."

Mayor Lowe, City of Victoria

"The current system, where it is sold through LDB stores, has worked
very, very well for a long period of time ... the city cannot stop the
province from doing, at the very least we can limit the locations of now
newly privatized liquor stores to the existing sites."

Councillor Tim Louis - City of Vancouver

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