Keeping Liquor Public is a coalition of Manitoba organizations working for public safety, strong communities and quality public services. Here’s our founding statement.

























Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1505

“The Amalgamated Transit Union is proud to support this important campaign. Keeping Liquor Public means profits from the sale of alcohol can be used to support investments in social services and infrastructure.” Read More

IAM Local 1919

“The profits from the public sale of liquor in Manitoba are used to ensure so many important services are delivered each day.” Read More

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Manitoba Office

“A public liquor system allows us to balance the individual’s right to access liquor while mitigating the problems that arise from its abuse.” Read More

Canadian Union of Postal Workers

“The Canadian Union of Postal Workers Winnipeg Local 856 represents more than 1,600 members who proudly serve the public every day. Our members understand the importance of providing great public service at safe retail locations. The privatization of public entities degrades jobs, putting them at risk of becoming low-wage-no-benefit sources of income for families, hurting them and their communities.” Read More

Cantor’s Quality Meats and Groceries

“As a local businessman, I am against the privatization of our liquor system. My family business has always been about quality, not only in our meats and products but also in customer service.” Read More

CUPE Manitoba

“Privatization means higher costs, service cuts, and no accountability. “A private system could affect Manitobans economy greatly if we lose millions of dollars in revenues which fund crucial services like health care, education and other services such as addiction programs.” Read More

John Howard Society of Manitoba

“Our Mission at John Howard Society is to address the causes and consequences of crime. Our Vision is for a safer and healthier community for all.” Read More

MGEU GOLICO

“I know firsthand the hard work and dedication of the employees at Manitoba Liquor Marts. We are trained to serve Manitobans responsibly while delivering great customer service.” Read More

Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals

“Our thousands of Allied Health members, which include health care professionals in emergency medical services, hospitals, clinics and laboratories, witness firsthand the devastation caused by alcohol abuse – physically, socially and emotionally.” Read More

Manitoba Building Trades & Allied Hydro Council

“Crown assets, such as Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, are valuable tools that provide a steady stream of revenue education and health care programs in our province. Maintaining public ownership of assets like this is in our province’s best interest.” Read More

MFL

“Keeping liquor sales public will ensure all Manitobans benefit from liquor revenues, and social priorities.” “MBLL dedicates funds to educating the public about responsible gaming and drinking, and supports community organizations that help those in need.” Read More

Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union

“Right now, we are in the middle of a pandemic and it’s not the time to be throwing millions of dollars away when our economy is so fragile.” Read More

Manitoba Health Coalition

“The shift to a private model of alcohol distribution is both irresponsible and short-sighted.” Read More

MNU

“The sale of alcohol should be regulated and controlled differently than other products to ensure strong socially responsible safeguards are upheld.” “It is also a benefit to know that the profits from the sale of alcohol are used in part to help deal with addictions and other health-related aspects associated with abuse and overuse.” Read More

National Union of Public and General Employees

“Privatizing liquor stores is one of the most irresponsible things governments can do. The evidence shows privatizing liquor sales means an increase in alcohol related health problems. Prices for all but a handful of products increase when liquor sales are privatized.” Read More

Paramedic Association of Manitoba

“Motor vehicle collisions and other accidents resulting from alcohol impairment are frequent calls paramedics attend to. The Paramedic Association of Manitoba is concerned that further privatization of liquor sales and distribution could result in an increased number of these incidents.

” Read More

The Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

“We support the Keeping Liquor Public campaign because a public system allows revenues from liquor sales to remain fully in the public realm.” Read More

UFCW Local 832

“Manitoba’s Government-run stores are more convenient than ever with the many modernized changes over the last few years. We don’t feel like our public system is broken, so why is there a need to change anything?” Read More

Unifor

“Unifor strongly supports public liquor sales. Public liquor sales ensure Manitobans have good paying jobs and another source of reliable revenue to help fund social programs such as health care and education.” Read More

United Steelworkers District 3

“Privatizing Manitoba’s public liquor sales would be a bad deal for our province. Not only would Manitobans face higher prices and less selection, a private system would also pose huge risks to the public services we depend on.” Read More

Winnipeg Labour Council

“The current system is serving Manitobans well; it offers a healthy balance of great customer service, safer communities, social responsibility and good quality jobs.

” Read More

Yvonne Block, Former CEO

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba

“Public ownership allows for responsible messaging, responsible marketing strategies and the ability to direct a substantial portion of the profits from sales to address the harms associated with the sale and use of liquor.” Read More

Public serves us better!

better service / safer communities / reinvesting at home