Sask. government plans to sell all SLGA liquor stores, exit retail market
The Saskatchewan government announced it is exiting the retail liquor market with plans to sell its remaining SLGA stores in the province during Wednesday’s throne speech.
The shift to full privatization requires the SLGA to sell its 34 liquor permits and its buildings that remain in the province, including five in Saskatoon and six in Regina.
The government has already privatized more than half of its liquor stores after announcing plans to do so in November of 2015.
“We’ve had private liquor stores across this province for years. All of our cannabis stores are private stores here in the province and they do quite well,” said Premier Scott Moe.
“We want to focus our efforts as a government on what people view as the core businesses of government.”
However, the SLGA will continue its wholesale distribution efforts.
“We’ve started with divesting the retail side of things so we’re going to finish that and the wholesale business is doing well the way it is,” said Lori Carr, the minister responsible for the SLGA.
More than 350 SLGA workers will be impacted, according to the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU).
Bob Stadnichuk has been working at an SLGA liquor store for 14 years. He believes he will be out of a job like many of his colleagues.
“It’s a really tough day for us. We really don’t know how to react yet,” said Stadnichuk, who is also the VP of SGEU’s retail regulatory sector.
Stadnichuk said some senior employees will be able to find other jobs within the SLGA. However, most will have to settle for jobs in the private sector.
“The other jobs in the private sector are traditionally minimum wage, low paying, they don’t offer benefits, and they don’t offer any kind of stability for their jobs,” he said.
The premier was unclear on what the transition phase for employees will look like, but he said the impacted workers will have the opportunity to bid on the retail liquor licenses.
The official opposition questioned what supports, if any, would be offered to workers.
Nathaniel Teed, NDP MLA and SLGA critic, said the government should not be cutting jobs during what he calls an “affordability crisis.”
“These are stores that are paying living wages so we do not support the shut down of these stores,” Teed said.
Carr said the government will work with the union and the workers. She added a detailed plan regarding the liquor store sales will be announced in the near future.
According to Carr, the number of liquor permits and the rules around operation will remain the same.
“Parameters are going to stay exactly the same with the matrix that we have with only so many permits allowed per population,” Carr said.
Carr claimed services will not be impacted.
In every community that is losing an SLGA store, there is already at least one private or off-sale store in operation, she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
VIA Rail service delayed for hours due to suspicious package investigation in Kingston, Ont.
VIA Rail service resumed in the Kingston, Ont. area late Saturday afternoon, after a suspicious package investigation halted train service for more than four hours over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.