BC Brings Back the Booze

The government of British Colombia is now considering allowing the sale of alcohol in retail stores. Soon you may be able to buy a refreshingly intoxicating drink whilst you buy bread, milk and eggs. The idea of selling beer and wine in grocery stores is popular amongst British Colombians, so the BC government encouraged a public consultation on how to overhaul and modernize the liquor policies, including an 84 day consultation with stakeholders. The BC government is currently looking into the best models throughout North America to balance health, safety and convenience. These models include a “store within a store” model in Nova Scotia and the Quebec model of allowing grocery stores to sell domestic and imported beer, as well as local wines. The Ontario system, where local wineries are allowed to sell bottles in either freestanding stores or a store within a grocery store, was also considered. Other liquor policy suggestions include allowing craft beer and wine to be sold at farmers’ markets, streamlining the liquor license application  process for special events and allowing children to accompany their parents at liquor establishments such as pubs and legions. BC medical health officers have called for a freeze or reduction to the number of private retailers, a $3 minimum price for bar drinks and higher prices for drinks with more alcohol content to deter over consumption. To all the students out there hoping that Ontario will start selling alcohol in grocery stores, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario as announced a similar pilot project with 10 “express” stores to offer limited selection inside or next to grocery stores. On the other hand, Premier Kathleen Wynne has shot down any plans to start selling beer and wine in Ontario convenience stores, but will broaden their availability through speciality outlets.