As a strong supporter of public liquor sales, and proud member of the Keeping Liquor Public coalition, the MGEU was pleased to be in attendance today for the launch of a new research paper by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), Manitoba Chapter.

The new report finds that the current system of public liquor sales in Manitoba is in line with the World Health Organization standards (WHO) and ranks Manitoba’s system as the best amongst the other Western provinces.

The new report titled, Balancing Convenience with Social Responsibility: Liquor Regulation in Manitoba, was written by Greg Flanagan.

"Manitoba is doing much better than the other western provinces both from the social cost [perspective] and the revenue-covering-the-social-cost perspective," said Flanagan in a CBC interview.

In Manitoba, public Liquor Marts bring in over $280M in revenue and support over 850 good paying jobs for families in communities across the province.

“Manitoba’s liquor model strongly supports socially responsibility, good jobs and is a steady revenue stream for government to invest in programs and services that benefit Manitoba families,” said MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky.  

“Keeping liquor sales public is in the best interest of us all. As this report identifies, the experiences in other western provinces show Manitoba is on the right track with our current sales model and distribution system,” she added.