Public or Private- a Monopoly is still a Monopoly in Liquor Retailing

Commentary - The Brad Wall Conservatives’ decision to award two specialty wine store franchises in Regina and Saskatoon last week is yet more evidence that they have no commitment to small business development and entrepreneurship in Saskatchewan.

The government should not have the power to pick and choose the players in this market- they should fostering a free market economy by cultivating conditions of fair competition and equal opportunity for citizens to participate. The only thing standing in the way of someone starting their own liquor business should be their own entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic.

The role of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) should be reduced to the wholesaling and distribution of alcoholic beverages in Saskatchewan and it should be removed completely from retailing activities. Retailing should be turned over to the private sector allowing small businesses to establish liquor outlets.

Private retailing of liquor products will be important to economic development and wealth generation in Saskatchewan as it will create hundreds of new businesses and thousands of jobs, increase demand for commercial properties, goods, and services, and increase revenues for municipal and provincial governments. Saskatchewan consumers will also see the advantages of a free market including competitive product selection, pricing, and convenient locations.

This is yet another example of the massive hypocrisy within the Saskatchewan Party. They have loudly proclaimed that the era of government picking winners and losers in the economy is over, and have again demonstrated that they are fine with it- as long as they get to pick them.

- Ryan Bater, Leader of the Saskatchewan Liberals