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"His policy will put more people at risk, it will drive jobs out of our rural communities and unilateral decisions like this do nothing to bring integrity back to government.” — Jason MacLean, NSGEU President
Halifax (19 Jan. 2018) — John Lohr, Progressive Conservative Leadership candidate, claims to be for: people, the economy, and returning integrity to government. Yet his campaign's policy announcement is anything but. By doing away with the public sale of alcohol in Nova Scotia, Mr. Lohr would be throwing away decades of experience in selling liquor with a sense of social responsibility would kill hundreds of well paying jobs throughout Nova Scotia.
Privatization of alcohol sales in Nova Scotia threatens safety and good jobs
In 2017, the Progressive Conservatives almost unseated Stephen McNeil and the Liberal Party. Today, John Lohr is proposing tired old policies that undermine the PC’s effort last year to support working families in rural Nova Scotia.
“This is 180 degrees opposite of what the PC’s said to my members before the spring election,” said Jason MacLean, President of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE). “The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) wasn’t even part of their platform. I sat with PC Leader Jamie Baillie and other MLA’s who supported these jobs in their communities. I find it odd that someone who wants to be a leader would pronounce this kind of policy without any consultation with stakeholders, public health experts or even what could be his future caucus,” added MacLean.
Major health organizations confirm that public control minimizes the adverse health effects of alcohol
According to MADD Canada, alcohol consumption is linked to numerous medical conditions. It’s a contributing factor to injuries, impairments, and deaths caused by impaired driving, homicides, suicides, fires, etc.. As well, the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control in the U.S., and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada all agree public control is the best way to minimize the adverse health effects of alcohol.
“If Mr. Lohr is truly for people, the economy, and returning integrity to government, this announcement is certainly contrary to that commitment. His policy will put more people at risk, it will drive jobs out of our rural communities, and unilateral decisions like this do nothing to bring integrity back to government,” said MacLean.