KURTENBACH: Privatization of Saskatchewan’s liquor stores

[Oscar]

Privatization of Saskatchewan’s liquor stores

November 26, 2015

To the Editor,

I've recently learned that Brad Wall's conservative government is in the process of privatizing this province's liquor stores.

Considering the fact that the loss of the profits from these stores would effect everyone in our province, this action strikes me as being politically and extraordinarily short-sighted.

Some years ago, while making a purchase in a small town liquor store, a friend of mine and I asked the person in charge about the total amount of liquor sold annually in that particular store located in a large rural area.

His answer was "about a million dollars".

When the province no longer has access to the profits from these stores, the people of Saskatchewan will still have to bear the social costs of the improper use of liquor: accidents caused by drunk driving, splitting of families while one of the partners has taken on excessive use of alcohol, and the increased cost to our health care programs, etc.

The above is not meant to oppose private business operations, but, if privatization is so beneficial, why don't we privatize all government departments?

Leo Kurtenbach,
915 Saskatchewan Cres. W. Saskatoon, SK
Phone: 306.652.5129