The Alberta government won’t let grocers and corner stores sell liquor after a review concluded the move would “significantly harm” small businesses.
The decision, announced Wednesday, comes after a panel of government MLAs began looking into the possibility of expanding alcohol sales beyond Alberta’s 1,600 private liquor stores earlier this year.
Liquor store industry representatives and store owners slammed the move, warning that adding even more competition in to a saturated market would be “disastrous.”
In the spring, a government representative said the review was “driven by media inquiries” about Ontario’s decision to allow grocery stores and convenience stores to stock alcoholic beverages — a significant change for that province, where the government-owned Liquor Control Board of Ontario handles the majority of retail alcohol sales.
Alberta, in comparison, privatized alcohol sales in 1993.
Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair, one of the politicians who participated in a review, said in a statement that changes might seem convenient for consumers, but would hurt the liquor store industry.
“Our review determined that such a move would significantly harm small businesses and could ultimately lead to widespread closures, job losses and diminished selection for consumers,” Sinclair said.
MLAs Andrew Boitchenko, Brandon Lunty and Chelsae Petrovic also sat on the panel. They consulted with provincial regulator Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, liquor retailers, grocery and convenience operators, warehouses, and responsible-use advocacy groups Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Premier Danielle Smith added in a statement that she’s pleased to accept their conclusions.
“The idea of expanding liquor sales to grocery and convenience stores has been mused about for years,” Smith said.
“I’m grateful for the significant work done by MLAs to look into the feasibility and wisdom of such an expansion and the recommendations they’ve put forward.”