If youre a fan of lower prices, increased convenience, better product selection and improved customer service, you might want to keep the champagne on ice---at least when it comes to BCs liquor industry. Despite all the recent talk of the BC government privatizing the Liquor Distribution Branch [LDB], its not happening. Not even close. And that is unfortunate for regular British Columbians who enjoy a cold beer, a glass of wine or a sex on the beach every now and then.
privatization
Anyone who recently visited Alberta for the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede might have noticed something unusual about the province: not a single government liquor store.
Alberta does have a plethora of private stores, unlike say, Ontario, where I once drove around Cambridge for what seemed forever to find any shop, government or private, to buy wine for a dinner with relatives.
If youre lucky, your politicians will one day imitate Alberta. To that end, heres how Albertas private sector model came about.
Anti-privatization crusaders are seizing on the recent scandals in the BC legislature to argue against the planned privatization of BC Rail. Transportation Minister Judith Reid, however, says that the BC Rail privatization deal should proceed. The Minister is spot on: the taxpayers of British Columbia shouldnt allow unsubstantiated rumours to derail good public policy. The benefits of privatization are well established, and BC Rail is no exception. It simply comes down to fiscal common sense.