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“Our recommendations balance the social responsibility needed in the sale and distribution of liquor, the significant public revenue generated and the strong support for expanded services of the public liquor store system." - Darryl Walker, BCGEU President.
Vancouver (03 Oct. 2013) - Darryl Walker, President of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) presented a submission to Parliamentary Secretary John Yap who is leading a provincial liquor policy review.
BCGEU/NUPGE submission on Liquor Distribution Branch retailing includes several solid recommendations
The submission calls for modernized regulations, adequately resourced compliance and enforcement, and expanded public liquor store services in the province.
“Our recommendations balance the social responsibility needed in the sale and distribution of liquor, the significant public revenue generated and the strong support for expanded services of the public liquor store system,” says Darryl Walker.
The BCGEU/NUPGE submission focuses on four recommendations:
- maintain public control of the management, distribution and sale of alcohol with the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) as the provincial agency responsible for importing and distributing alcoholic beverages and operating public BC Liquor Stores
- protect the public interest with simplified modern regulations that include an overarching commitment to social responsibility in any new legislation
- ensure the Liquor Control and Licensing Board has the funding and staffing levels to provide effective oversight and timely service to businesses and the public and
- provide greater operational flexibility for the LDB that would include new public stores, expanded hours, Sunday openings and refrigerated products.
“The LDB has well served this province for decades. In the last five years, the liquor distribution and retail system contributed $4.3 billion in provincial revenues and should remain the cornerstone in the future,” says Walker. “The public is overwhelmingly in favour of expanding the services of our public liquor stores. They offer a better selection, lower prices and accept the social responsibility that is important in the retailing of alcohol.”
Find the complete submission here.