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'Replacing the provincial liquor board system with a privatized system of retail alcohol sales will increase alcohol-related problems and carry substantial human, social and economic costs.'
Ottawa (2 Sept. 2009) - Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) has adopted a national policy paper strongly supporting the sale of alcohol through provincial liquor boards instead of private retailers.
"MADD Canada strongly supports the provincial liquor board model which protects the public interest and meets consumer needs through safe and responsible alcohol sales," the paper says.
"Alcohol is not an ordinary commodity and should not be sold as one. It is linked with more than 65 medical conditions and is a contributing factor in injuries, impairments and deaths caused by illness, impaired driving, homicides, suicides, falls, drowning, assaults, fires and other adverse events that threaten public safety and community well-being," MADD concludes.
"According to the National Alcohol Strategy, alcohol resulted in the deaths of an estimated 4,258 Canadians in 2002 and cost society $14.6 billion in lost productivity and health care and law enforcements costs," it adds.
"It is not, nor has it ever been, MADD Canada’s goal to prohibit the legal, responsible consumption of alcohol. The fact is, however, that when alcohol is over-consumed, it imposes
tremendous costs on not only the drinkers but also the people and communities around them.
"We believe that replacing the provincial liquor board system with a privatized system of retail alcohol sales will increase alcohol-related problems and carry substantial human, social and economic costs."
The complete position paper is available for downloading at the link below.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
MADD Canada - Provincial Liquor Boards: Meeting the best interests of Canadians - pdf