Sask. group calling for more change to liquor rules
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You have until the end of month to submit your opinions on how liquor should be sold in our province, and so far it is turning into a battle between those wanting private stores and those wanting to stick with the existing public ones.
The Ale Lager Enthusiasts of Saskatchewan (ALES), however, maintain that that discussion is just a distraction from the real issue, changing the way the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) runs things.
The group’s Mark Loszchuk argues the whole consultation misses the mark.
“They are trying to give you the illusion of choice,” he said.
What needs to change, the group maintains, is how liquor is distributed, taxed and even promoted – especially when it comes to the growing craft beer market.
“There is no rhyme or reason to who is ordering the beer, what they bring in, once they bring something in it runs out and they don’t have it again; it just doesn’t seem very organised.”
Loszchuk said the whole public-versus-private debate is a red herring and irrelevant. He cites Manitoba, with its staunch public liquor board system, that hasn’t needed private input. They do a good job of supporting and promoting the local brewers within that province.
“Public stores can do a better job if they think creatively and kind of start from scratch and sort of look at things in a very progressive way,” he contends.
The change ALES advocates, for starts, is ridding SLGA of its bureaucratic red tape.
“If they still have to go through all the red tape and regulation and the warehousing and importing that SLGA still has a monopoly of it really isn’t going to make a difference to the current system.”
Without that change, Loszchuk adds the consultation that’s been underway is meaningless.
People in Saskatchewan can give their input until the end of the month on how liquor should be sold.
news@panow.com
