Keeping families and communities safe and healthy

SGEU campaign says public liquor stores make sense for many reasons.

Regina (8 April 2010) - A campaign to keep Saskatchewan liquor stores in public hands has been launched by the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE).

SGEU says there are many reasons why Saskatchewan liquor stores should remain publicly owned, including the fact that they ensure safe and healthy communities, are secure and well maintained, generate revenues that help fund public services, provide good jobs with decent wages and keep liquor sales in public hands.

"Saskatchewan people are the ones who profit when liquor stores are publicly-owned," the union says. "The revenue generated by liquor sales in Saskatchewan helps fund vital public services, like schools, hospitals, roads, community safety, and so much more. The profit from public liquor sales contributed $173.6 million to our province in 2007-08."

Television ads making this point are now being shown across the province in co-operation with Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada (MADD).

In a recently-published policy statement, MADD Canada reviewed and summarized Canadian and international experience with public and private liquor sales. Their conclusion?

"Experience in other countries and in Canada indicates that privatizing alcohol sales will increase alcohol‐related deaths, injuries and social problems through increased alcohol availability and consumption," MADD Canada says.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE

More information:
• SLGA Campaign: Keeping families and communities safe and healthy