The Canora, Kamsack and Preeceville government liquor stores are among the 40 that the provincial government plans to privitize.
The new direction of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) was announced last week by Don McMorris, minister in charge of the SLGA. Also in the plan is adding 12 new private liquor stores in underserved communities.
鈥淪askatchewan consumers will enjoy more choice, more convenience and more competitive pricing,鈥� McMorris said. 鈥淭his new direction allows government to collect the same amount of revenue through a new wholesale markup while also correcting many inequities that have existed among the province鈥檚 various liquor retailers.
鈥淲e received a lot of valuable feedback from stakeholders, customers and the general public regarding their thoughts on the future of liquor retailing in the province. This new direction reflects what we heard and I want to once again thank everyone who took part in the consultation process.鈥�
Currently, liquor is retailed by government liquor stores, full-line private stores, rural franchises and off-sale outlets. Within these groups, there are many different rules including different discounts, restrictions on the type of products they can sell, restrictions on what beer products can be refrigerated and differences in how products can be priced.
The new expanded private retail model creates a level playing field for liquor retailers. This means all liquor retailers will be treated the same when it comes to: purchasing alcohol for resale at a wholesale price; hours of operation; product selection; and chilling of beer products and more.
Another change will see commercial permittees like restaurants, sports facilities and convention centres able to purchase products from any liquor retailer, rather than the current requirement that they purchase exclusively from SLGA liquor stores and franchises.
The 40 government liquor stores that will be converted were evaluated on factors like efficiency, investment required and the ability to meet consumer needs. In these communities, affected government liquor store employees will be given preferential consideration during the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a new store. Details of the RFP process will be developed over the coming months. The changes will be implemented after the provincial election in April.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of change required to get our retail system where it needs to be and we now have a plan in place,鈥� McMorris said. 鈥淚n the end, we鈥檒l have a system that鈥檚 fair to retailers and beneficial to consumers while also protecting revenues for government priorities like infrastructure, education and health care.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Retail operators and any other interested businesses will be eligible to participate in the process of obtaining the RFPs. In addition, affected government liquor store employees will have the ability to participate in and will be given preferential consideration during the competitive RFP process for a new store.
Besides the three affected stores, the other 37 are: Battleford, Outlook, Broadview, Raymore, Carrot River, Regina (Broad St.), Davidson, Rosetown, Foam Lake, Rosthern,
Gravelbourg, Saskatoon (20th St. W.), Gull Lake, Saskatoon (Market Mall), Hudson Bay, Shaunavon, Indian Head, Shellbrook, St. Walburg, Kelvington, Stoughton, Kindersley, Tisdale, Kipling, Unity, Lanigan, Wadena, Leader, Wakaw, Lloydminster, Waskesiu, Maple Creek, Watson, Melfort, Wilkie, Melville and Wynyard.
The successful proponents will have to meet SLGA鈥檚 requirements to obtain a commercial liquor permit. Some of the requirements include a good character check, fulfilling public notice requirements and obtaining a Ministry of Finance vendor鈥檚 licence.
