Private liquor store owners not worried about BC selling booze online

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – People in Ontario can now get their favourite bottle of wine or six-pack delivered straight to their door. The provincial government there began selling booze from its liquor stores online yesterday while BC’s government says it is in the early stages of a similar system.

The idea is getting a relatively warm reception here from those in the industry. Jeff Guignard with the Alliance of Beverage Licensees of BC represents around 350 private liquor stores in BC, who are technically allowed to sell online now, though few do. “There are a number of them [private stores] that would love to be doing more online sales but it’s just not practical in the current framework,” explains Guignard.

“The way the rules are structured, it’s very difficult to be practical or profitable about it. The approach they are trying in other provinces comes with somewhat greater risk for the enforcement side of it because they’re opening it up a bit more.”

He calls that existing framework ”clunky.” Guignard would love to see the rules changed, and says the main concern is fairness if BC’s government-run stores start online sales and delivery.

“Competition is fine. The part that would be unfair is if they were allowed to do it and we were not allowed to do it that would be difficult. The government has repeatedly expressed a desire to create a level playing field and we strongly support them in that.”

He says existing rules would have to be changed, especially when it comes to making sure minors don’t get served.

That is also one of the main issues for NDP liquor critic David Eby, who has some questions before you can get your six-pack in the mail. “I’m curious about how young people will be prevented from ordering five small bottles of Fireball (whiskey) from their parents’ account. I think there are some serious questions that need to be answered first.”

Dr. Shimi Kang says we need to take our time and get the system right to avoid problems.

The addictions psychiatrist at UBC says there are two major issues in her opinion when it comes buying your booze online and having it delivered. “One is regulating the age. It is easier to hide the legal drinking age and for minors to have access to alcohol from an online source,” says Kang.

“The second is the quantity and amount for individuals who have alcohol dependence and serious alcoholism, the more easily we provide access, the more accessible the substance or problematic behaviour is, there are more consequences, more use, more risk of relapse.”

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today