CICC Frustrated and Disappointed with Status Quo Alcohol Sales
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2024: The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) responded to Danielle Smith’s announcement today that Alberta will maintain a duopoly for the sale of beverage alcohol in the province.
Today’s announcement not to allow c-stores to sell beverage alcohol is un-Albertan. Premier Smith said herself in a statement to our members that she believed in “treating adults like adults” so what has changed? It’s shocking that the government has turned its back on an industry that collects $1.4 billion in taxes and employs over 20,000 Albertans.
Research conducted by Cascadia Partners highlighted that enabling convenience stores to sell beverage alcohol will result in an increase in 2,400 jobs and boost tax revenues by $112 million.
It is obvious that Premier Smith gave into the interests of a handful of private liquor owners instead of giving Albertans what they wanted and deserved – increased convenience and choice. It goes against this government’s philosophy of a level playing field and freedom of choice.
This move will escalate further convenience store closures in the province, jeopardizing rural and remote communities where often the local convenience store is the only place to buy essential goods.
It’s unfortunate that modernizing the retail sale of beverage alcohol like in Ontario isn’t good enough for Alberta.
We urge the government to go back to the drawing board, their founding principles and bring fairness and choice to Albertans. Protecting the status quo based on a few interests is never sound policy.
CICC participated and presented a submission to the MLA Committee for the expansion of beverage alcohol earlier this year. To view our submission and the details of our economic impact analysis, please click here
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sara MacIntyre
VP, Western Canada
Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC)
647 334 8054