MLA proposes spending some P.E.I. liquor store profits on health education

P.E.I. Liberal MLA Gord McNeilly has tabled a bill that calls on the province to devote three per cent of profits from liquor sales to fighting irresponsible drinking.

He decided to forward the private member's bill after attending the Alcohol Policy Forum recently. 

"We have to do a better job of reducing the harm associated with alcohol, and doing a better job with health promotion," said McNeilly.

"Let's debate it here on the floor of the legislature and make sure that Islanders know that we're debating it, and we have problems and we're trying to address those."

He expressed particular concern about drinking and driving and the use of alcohol by students in Grades 7 to 12. A survey released in the fall had 27 per cent of students consuming alcohol in the previous month, with 16 per cent reporting binge drinking.

With current net income at the P.E.I. Liquor Commission running around $25 million, that would mean about $750,000 for education and awareness programs.

McNeilly's private member's bill is expected to be debated when the Legislature resumes next week. 

Even if the bill does pass, as a private members bill it can't force the province to spend the money. The bill includes a clause that would only have the money appropriated from the liquor commission if the government commits to spending it in the budget.