Public auction of Sask. liquor store licenses begins
A public auction of Saskatchewan liquor store licenses began on Monday. The government is closing its 34 remaining SLGA locations with licenses going to the highest bidder.
Moose Jaw’s historic railway station liquor store was the latest to close on the weekend as the government gets out of the liquor retail business.
Bob Stadnichuk, vice president of SGEU and Saskatoon liquor store employee, said there is basically nothing left in the stores that will attract customers.
“What’s been happening is that they just allow everything to deplete and we move stuff around and some people move the shelves around to make it look fuller,” he said.
Lori Carr, minister for liquor and gaming, watched online as bids came in.
“For the next four days, five more stores will open up (for license sale) every day. Saskatoon and Regina will be on every day then various communities added.”
Five are on the auction block now with more to come. There are 34 stores closing. Initial bids ranged from $24,000 for a Saskatoon license to $1,000 in Carlyle. Each license will be on sale for about 10 days.
“With this process, we are able to have people bid throughout the entire province without having to go to a specific location and get the highest bid for the taxpayers,” Carr said.
The public can follow the bids online at McDougall Auctions but must know the sale keyword, which is “liquor.”
Those wishing to bid must register and make a $5,000 refundable deposit.
Stock from locations that have closed will be moved to Regina and Saskatoon for final clear out by March 11.
Product remaining on the shelves cannot be returned to the warehouse and will be discounted until gone.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.