Lakeshore Advance, 2012-07-25, Page 13Wednesday, August 3, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 3
Comer store booze? Yes, please, poll says
ALCOHOL IN
ONTARIO: Anti -
drunk -driving
advocates warn
against easier access,
while ex -premier
doubts sounding will
sway the public or
politicians
Chris Doucette
OMI Agency
More than 60% of Ontarians wish
they could pop into their local variety
store to pick up a six-pack of beer or a
bottle of wine, according to a new
Angus Reid poll,
But MADD Canada's chief executive
said Ontarians may not like what they
wish for when they see the price and
the impact on drunk driving, not to
mention the lost government
revenues.
And former Ontario premier David
Peterson, whose minority government
introduced legislation for such an
idea but lost the vote, said the poll is
unlikely to sway politicians or the
public.
Most respondents said the time has
come for more options when it comes
to buying booze, currently sold mostly
at 'Ihe Beer Store and LCBO.
"Ontario voters are simply asking
for more convenience, like being able
to pick up some beer for their barbe-
cue on Canaria Day, 'that's not a lot to
ask," said Dave Bryans, president of
the Ontario Convenience Store Asso-
ciation, which commissioned the
poll.
EST (;.Lc. Rate
3.05
mac s pad! Mit .,ply
GRAND Iwo
33114484
EXETER
235-2420
GC Rehm CLINTON
smstvI• 482'34e1
Mw.
Colonial Parking Lot
Wednesdays 8 am - 1 pm
Local Produce This Wi
*PEACHES, *CHERRIES, *BLUE-
BERRIES, *HARVEST APPLES,
*SWEET CORN, *PEAS, *BEANS,
AND MORE...
www.grandbendfarmersmarket.ca
"When as many as two out of every three adults in
Ontario support beer and wine in convenience stores, it
will be interesting to see what candidates from all parties
tell voters," he said.
"It's time Ontario's alcohol retailing system was
expanded beyond the 1.CB() and The Beer Store and we're
asking everyone over 19 to visit freeourbeer.ca to register
their support," Bryans said.
"Nobody gives a damn about these kinds of polls, 'Ihey
do not drive elections," said Peterson. "Sone people may
think it's a good thing, some may not. We already have a
fairly efficient distribution system."
Regardless, Peterson said it's "not an uncomplicated
issue from a public policy perspective" noting there would
have to be decisions about what brands would be available
in stores, how recyclables would be handled and the social
impacts, such as whether increased access leads to
increased consumption.
"1 don't think you're going to see a great groundswell off
public reaction."
Andrew Murie, chief executive of MAI)1) Canada, said
his organization opposes the idea.
"We already have enough density of availability," he said,
adding a particular concern is the impact on young
people.
"There's no profit for the LCB() employees to sell alcohol
to underage people, but I'm not so sure with private (for
profit) stores, Just look at cigarette sales to minors"
Noting the poll sample is relatively small, Murie said it's
unlikely any of the provincial political parties would
embrace the idea with an election scheduled this fall, not-
ing Premier Dalton Mc(huinty has already said he likes the
existing system while Conservative leader Tim Hudak has
only suggested LCBO add VQA wine stores to its offerings.
"For (the) NOP, I strongly suspect keeping control of that
monopoly is very important to them," said Murie.
Regardless, Murie said privatization of alcohol sales in
Alberta led to higher prices for consumers.
"'lhe structure we already have gives us the lowest rate
for drinking and driving in Canada and Alberta has the
worst,'
'Ihe poll also found that 46% of respondents believe the
The Beer Store is publicly owned, like the government -run
LCRO. And 29% think Canada's breweries run The Beer
Store.
Sire'
MUNICiMLITY Oi
BLUEWATER
MOW_ ti ,.. .i1 M1 .W.. A•"M
001
NOTICE
All Hay Landfill Users (Wards of Hay East, Hay West, and Zurich)
The Hay landfill will cease operation es of August 10, 2011 for public drop-off
Dumping of waste at this location alter
August 16, 2011 Is strictly prohibited.
After August 18, 2011 all land1 N waste fn m tie wards of Hay East, Hay West,
and Zurich are to be dropped on al.
The Stanley Landfill Site
38594 MITI Road, vest of Varna.
Public OnenDava;
1st a 3"1 Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
2nd 8 41" Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Those wishing further Inkametion may contact
I,sM Ktllntw
Municipality 01 SkaewaNr
14 Ma Avenue, PO Sox 280
Zurich, ON NOM 210
(phone) b10-236.4381 ext. 221
(fax) 819.236-4329
b.killmetelown.bknweter.on, oe
• ► 1 •
Only 5% of those polled were aware
The Beer Store is actually privately
run by foreign multinational alcohol
distributors.
Labatt, an arm of Anheuser-Busch
InBev of Belgium, owns 49% of the
company; Molson Coors Brewing Co.,
which has headquarters in both the
11.S. and Canada, also owns
49%; Sleeman Breweries, an arm of
Sapporo of Japan, owns the remaining
2%.
The survey of 803 Ontarians over
age 19 was conducted in February
and is accurate to within 3.5 percent-
age points, 19 times out of 20.
--with files from Joe Nelanger, Free
Press Reporter
TD Canada Trust
Switch your chequing account
to TD Canada Trust and get the
convenience of over 1,100 locations.
www.tdcanadatrust.com/switch • 1-800-577-9592
Banking can be this comfortable
(.\\ itch
X1,,1 Ijt't c,l�
to S250.
lD
' OMf gelobe hi et 1 to Oda* 14, 2011 but nay be (ba d, Woad a wiltdfowe d any trots ttoi+out notice.
tote 111:45 See us la itch •/ 111e T1) bio tad Ay sode+eolls aro the poopem d The Tctosio arinion Book a
o
aisitiamil fiat a Ca.k PAM enlist cambia
r 1