There’s still time to have your say about the future of Saskatchewan’s liquor retail system.
“More than 5,500 people have already taken the time to visit the site and provide responses,” Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Don McMorris said. “There’s still time to let government know your thoughts about our province’s liquor retail system.”
The liquor consultation kicked off November 4 with the launch of a website that provides some history about liquor retailing in Saskatchewan and also includes information about liquor retailing in other jurisdictions. Visitors to the website are also invited to provide feedback on the five options presented for consideration:
Maintaining the current system;
An expanded private retail system;
Alberta-style fully private retail system;
Managed transition to fully private system; and
An expanded government retail system.
Key stakeholders were also invited to provide written submissions. To date, comments from MADD Canada, the Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association and Spirits Canada have been received and posted to the consultation website.
Any other written submissions received from stakeholders, will also be posted online.
“The topic of liquor retailing has certainly stirred up a lot of conversation,” McMorris said. “I’m very pleased with the response we’ve had to date and expect to see more comments coming before the consultation wraps up at the end of the month.”
The province’s liquor retail system currently consists of 75 government liquor stores, approximately 190 franchises operating in private businesses in rural Saskatchewan, 450 off-sale outlets and three private full-line liquor stores. A fourth private full-line store is set to open in Regina in the spring.
The consultation website, www.saskatchewan.ca/liquorretail will be open for comments until January 30.
