Manitoba NDP blocks government bills to sell liquor in more places, expand private retailers' selections
NDP frames its opposition as a matter of community safety, says parents don't want liquor at 7-Eleven
The New Democrats are spoiling provincial government plans for a pilot project that could have allowed Manitobans to buy a bottle of whiskey or scotch with their groceries.
The NDP blocked two liquor-related government bills from passing this spring: Bill 30, which would establish five-year pilot projects for retailers like grocers or convenience stores to start selling liquor products, and Bill 9, which would let beer vendors and wine stores sell a wider range of alcohol types.
The party framed the two pieces of legislation — which would effectively be dead if the NDP wins the fall election — as detriments to community safety.
"What we don't want is people being able to pick up a bottle of vodka at the 7-Eleven at two in the morning, or having to deal with that when they take their kids there for a Slurpee after school," Lisa Naylor, the NDP critic for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, said after question period.
Naylor said the addictions crisis has grown worse over time, and access to alcohol at more locations wouldn't help.
The NDP also said provincial coffers would suffer as more liquor sales are handled through private channels, rather than the provincially-run Liquor Marts that help fund government services.
In an emailed statement, Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union president Kyle Ross said he's "relieved" both liquor privatization bills are being held up.
"Public Liquor Marts are working for Manitoba. They put millions every year back into health care, and they've cut crime in liquor stores by 97 per cent," said Ross, adding that the liquor theft problem from a few years ago could transition to other stores with lesser security requirements.
The NDP has the right, as the Official Opposition, to delay five government bills from passing until the fall legislative session. The government presiding over that session, however, will be decided by the provincial election slated for October.
Manitobans want convenience: Tories
The Progressive Conservative government, which could choose to resurrect the bills if re-elected, has argued the majority of Manitobans want the choice and convenience of buying alcohol in more places, which would put the province in line with other jurisdictions.
"I guess the members opposite are a little confused," Andrew Smith, the minister responsible for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, said of the NDP during question period.
"They're forgetting that it's the year 2023, not the year 1923. The years of prohibition are long over."
In speaking with reporters, Smith didn't answer questions on whether the revenue worries are justified, though the government has previously said it doesn't expect Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries's revenues to suffer.
He said the proposed laws would give consumers choice and provide opportunities for small business owners.
"The other side, they want a nanny state," Smith said.
If the bills had passed, the province would have held consultations to determine which type of businesses could be eligible for a five-year pilot project.
Currently, Manitoba's liquor system is a mixture of private and government-run stores, not including outlets such as corner stores.
Government liquor stores sell a full array of alcohol products, while private stand-alone beer vendors and wine stores in most urban areas offer a limited range of products. There are private vendors in many rural communities that are licensed to offer a wider range of products.
Cannabis retail model worth exploring: NDP
Naylor said a NDP government would explore other ways to modernize the liquor model in Manitoba, without depleting provincial revenues.
She also said the party would explore if changes are needed to the retail cannabis model. Under the current model, Liquor and Lotteries secures the supply of cannabis, but private retail stores sell it.
"We understand that private sales of cannabis were brought in under the PC government and I know that that's not the norm across the whole country, and so I think it's safe to say that if we're elected that we'll take a close look at all of the decisions that were made regarding cannabis when we weren't the ones at the table making those decisions," Naylor said.
Monday is the deadline for the NDP to announce the five bills it would delay until the fall.
The New Democrats are also blocking Bill 33, which harm-reduction advocates say would put obstacles in the way of drug treatment services by requiring a provincial license, and Bill 28, which requires municipal councillors, community council members and school trustees to take a leave of absence to pursue MLA bid.
The party is also blocking Bill 20, which revises upcoming conflict of interest legislation, because it would exclude from a member's disclosure statement any securities or stocks they entrusted to another person. The party says it could permit a MLA to hide their assets, and potentially any conflicts of interest, by turning them over to someone else.
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With files from The Canadian Press