FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2006
OPSEU calls for a
moratorium on new LCBO agency stores as government announces
20 new private stores to sell alcohol across Ontario
TORONTO: The Ontario Public
Service Employees Union is calling for a moratorium on the
opening of any and all new LCBO “agency” stores, pending
appropriate public hearings, in the wake of the government’s
announcement of 20 potential new private liquor outlets today.
The union representing about
6,000 LCBO employees says the announcement today represents
another broken promise by Premier Dalton McGuinty, who said
before the election he would stop expansion of the agency
stores program.
“The plan to open new agency
stores is a direct threat to the LCBO’s social responsibility
mandate,” said Mike Sullivan, acting chair of the union’s
division representing LCBO workers.
“These stores are private
businesses, so there is always a potential conflict between
maximizing profits and the best interest of the community. The
LCBO has no way to guarantee agency stores won’t sell alcohol
to minors, people who are intoxicated, or people who may drink
and drive.”
As well as undercutting social
responsibility, agency stores short-change the communities
they are supposed to benefit, OPSEU says. “Customers deserve
the top quality service and selection that a real LCBO store
provides,” Sullivan said.
“In most of the 20 communities,
there is a public liquor store just a few kilometres down the
road. Why not expand these stores’ selection and hours of
operation rather than undercut them with poorly stocked
private stores?”
Diverting revenue into agency
store profits also jeopardizes the LCBO’s ability to generate
provincial revenue to pay for health care, education and
public services, the union says.
The 20 communities where the
LCBO could open new agency outlets are: Amberley, Brigden,
Castleton, Chaffey's Lock, Clear Creek, Dashwood, Erieau/Erie
Beach, Flesherton/Eugenia, Gobles/Princeton, Lighthouse Cove,
Lowbanks/Long Beach, McArthur Mills, McGregor, Melbourne,
North Augusta, Oil Springs, Port Franks, Rockton, Walters
Falls and White Lake. The new stores could open by late 2006
or 2007, the government announced today.
-30-
For further information:
Mike Sullivan, acting chair,
LCBO employees division 519-272-3411
David Cox, OPSEU Communications, 1-800-268-7376
