We, the undersigned, agree that all Manitobans benefit as owners of a responsible public liquor sales and distribution model.

The current system offers Manitobans a healthy balance of great customer service, safer communities, social responsibility, investment in public services and quality jobs.

Calls to privatize the sale of beverage liquor will upset this balance and put these benefits at risk.

Therefore we, the undersigned, oppose further privatization of our public liquor sales and distribution model and encourage others to act to protect this Manitoba asset.

“MADD Canada believes that the safest way to sell and market alcohol is through government controlled liquor stores. This system assures the public there is a balance between the sale of alcohol and public health. Government employees are trained not to serve minors or intoxicated customers. Government employees assist police by calling 911 to report any intoxicated customer leaving liquor stores who they think might be driving impaired.”

Andrew Murie
CEO, Mothers against Drunk Driving

“It is my perspective, coming from working in the addictions field for many years at a leadership and policy level, that the sale and distribution of liquor must remain public. Maintaining 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.

“Most research shows that increased access and reduced control leads to the increase of problems related to the use of alcohol as well as increased access to alcohol by minors.

“The benefits of public ownership outweigh what I see as relatively short-sighted benefits of privatization — both economically and from a public health perspective.”

Yvonne Block
Former CEO of AFM

“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.

The current framework of government sales and distribution of alcohol in Manitoba regulates both access and pricing in a socially responsible manner to ensure public accountability, and therefore should be maintained. The Paramedic Association of Manitoba is happy to lend our name to the list of other organizations who share this value.”

Rebecca Clifton
Administrative Director
Paramedic Association of Manitoba

“The Winnipeg Labour Council has always fought for public safety and health and safety in the workplace. That’s why we are proud to be part of this important coalition. Research shows, private liquor sales result in increased sales to minors and those already intoxicated. This will directly hit our already stretched public services such as health care and law enforcement. The current system is serving Manitobans well; it offers a healthy balance of great customer service, safer communities, social responsibility and good quality jobs.”

Melissa Dvorak
Winnipeg Labour Council President

“The Premier committed during the last two elections that he would not move to privatize any more liquor sales in the province, but the 2020 Throne Speech muses at this yet again.

We continue to question why he is doing this. We have one of the safest and socially responsible liquor distribution systems in the country. With the newly installed controlled entrances at most liquor stores, everyone is carded and staff continues to refuse the sale of alcohol to those intoxicated.

There is over 900 staff at liquor stores. That’s 900 good jobs for Manitoba families. Those workers go out of their way to provide the best customer service. And, it shows. They have a 93% approval rating in a recent survey.

As well, last year alone, over $284 million in profits was brought into the government from the sale of liquor. That’s $284 million for health care, schools and roads.

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.”

Kyle Ross
MGEU President

“Calls to privatize the sale of beverage liquor are short-sighted and a move backwards for the province of Manitoba.

“As a national union, we know the effects that privatization has on communities across Canada. Privatization means higher costs, service cuts, and no accountability.

“A private system could affect Manitoba’s 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.

“We stand united with all Manitobans in our opposition to privatizing the MBLL.”

Gina McKay,
Canadian Union of Public Employees – Manitoba

“The Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) supports Liquor Marts and Manitoba's balanced model of public liquor sales and distribution.

“We know most Manitobans can enjoy a drink sociably without problems, but if used improperly, alcohol is a factor in many injuries, suicides and homicides, is linked with dozens of significant medical conditions and impairments, and can cause death. For this and other reasons, we believe 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.”

Darlene Jackson
Manitoba Nurses Union President

“Keeping liquor sales public will ensure all Manitobans benefit from liquor revenues, and social priorities. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries recognizes the importance of sponsorships in the community and invests heavily in community events such as Folklorama, Festival du Voyager and Special Olympics.

“As a Crown Corporation, MBLL dedicates funds to educating the public about responsible gaming and drinking, and supports community organizations that help those in need.

“I’m glad that profits are re-invested in our collective public interests rather than only benefiting shareholders.”

Kevin Rebeck
Manitoba Federation of Labour President

“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. Liquor Marts are open longer hours, offer bottle and cork wine stations, have new craft beers and, in many communities, Express Liquor Marts have opened in grocery stores. Liquor Marts don’t need to privatize because we’re already modernizing to meet customer needs. Public surveys consistently show satisfaction levels in the ninety percent range in both Winnipeg and Rural Manitoba and that tells me that the service we are providing to Manitobans is excellent.”

David Hill
Component Director
MGEU Golico

“The Council of Canadians often campaigns to strengthen public services and stop privatization throughout Canada. Our Chapter in Brandon is no different; we believe Liquor Marts should stay public because keeping liquor sales public means liquor is sold responsibly keeping communities safer.”

Dr. Scott Blyth
Chair, Brandon – Westman Chapter
Council of Canadians

“Manitoba’s Government-run stores currently act as a one-stop shop. We feel they 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?

“Manitoba consumers are assured of paying the same price at ALL retail liquor outlets across the province, whether it’s at a Liquor Mart, private wine store, a hotel beer vendor or a rural vendor.”

Jeff Traeger
UFCW Local 832 President

“The pandemic has revealed just how close so many Manitobans are to being in financial trouble. Too many are living paycheck to paycheck. Over 85,000 Manitoban children were living in poverty even prior to the pandemic. We support the Keeping Liquor Public campaign because a public system allows revenues from liquor sales to remain fully in the public realm. These revenues can be used for the greater public good through funding progressive social programs.”

Kate Kehler
Executive Director
The Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

“The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives believes that a public liquor system allows us to balance the individual’s right to access liquor while mitigating the problems that arise from its abuse. Despite what critics say, a public system can provide better selection and service than a privatized system.”

Molly McCracken
Director

"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. And when liquor sales are privatized, a source of revenue to help fund services like health care is lost.

No matter how you look at it, privatizing liquor stores is bad news for the public."

Bert Blundon
President
NUPGE National

“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. The CUPW supports the workers who continue to proudly serve the public daily throughout this challenging year. We support this coalition and the fight to Keep Liquor Public to ensure all Manitobans continue to benefit from the MLC's profits which fund health projects, education budgets and community events throughout our province.”

Matthew Aitken
President
CUPW Winnipeg Local

“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. This is why we support this Coalition. Public liquor sales and the staff at Liquor marts are held accountable by the public to operate in a socially responsible manner. A private retailer on the other hand, is more driven by profit and would not follow the same sales and safety protocols. This affects public safety.”

Sharon Perrault
Executive Director
John Howard Society of Manitoba

“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. Keeping liquor sales public and regulated will allow Manitoba to re-invest the profits into health care, addictions and social programs. In a private system, these profits are not likely to be used this way and could, in fact, double the impact on our public health care system, making it a bigger financial burden.”

Bob Moroz
President
Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals

“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. It's also important to us that these profits stay here in Manitoba rather than being funnelled to investors in other countries.”

Romeo Ignacio
President
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1505

“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. I feel that a change in the current liquor model could pose major problems for me as an independent grocer. My staff is not trained to sell alcohol. If I were to stock and sell liquor for example, I would need to train my staff in addition to having to hire security guards. I do not have any problems with the current control of alcohol in Manitoba. I wish to keep the sale of alcohol a government run business and not a privatized business.”

Ed Cantor
Owner Cantor’s Meats

“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. The loss of revenue from public liquor sales could result in cuts to health care and education funding. Our public system has served Manitoba well and there is no reason to wreck a system that’s working.”

Scott Lunny
Director
United Steelworkers District 3

“At a time when Manitobans are demanding safe and secure liquor marts and hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent in upgrades to stores to accomplish just that, why would we move to allowing just anyone to sell alcohol from anywhere? The current sales model means that profits go back to Manitobans. It means customer and staff safety is a priority. It means great selection and customer service. It means almost $300 million back into the provincial economy. A private sales models’ main goal is to increase profits, and this is achieved by reducing business costs. This means cuts to staff and customer safety, cuts to training and education of employees, and ultimately it means money leaving the province and going into the pockets of corporate shareholders half a world away. Keep liquor sales public. Keep profits from liquor sales in Manitoba and the public’s pockets.”

Brian Spencler
President
IAM Local 1919

“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. Manitoba’s Liquor Mart workers provide excellent, knowledgeable customer service. As a controlled substance, it is important that liquor be sold in the safe and secure conditions of publicly owned outlets.”

Gavin McGarrigle
Western Regional Director
Directeur de la region de l’Ouést
Unifor

“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. Selling off public assets may result in short term cash infusions but looking back at the sale of MTS, it is clear that the revenue is short lived and there is no means of replacing the perpetual revenue stream generated by these assets.”

Sudhir Sandhu
Chief Executive Officer
Manitoba Building Trades & Allied Hydro Council

“It makes sense for Manitoba families to keep the profits from alcohol sales here in Manitoba. Alcohol is very much a part of our public life – it is also very much a contributor to public costs in our emergency rooms, police stations and court rooms. The best way to reduce social harm and invest in treatment options is to recover the profit from alcohol sales through a public liquor model.”

Thomas Linner
Provincial Director
Manitoba Health Coalition