Work to be done before liquor sold in grocery stores: Clark
Posted December 11, 2013 12:23 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
KELOWNA (NEWS1130) – BC’s premier is not yet throwing her support behind the sale of liquor in grocery stores. She says more work needs to be done to find a balance between people’s concerns and the convenience factor.
“We want to deliver that in a way that gives more access to the public, protects public safety, and also makes it possible for the small business community that’s grown up in this valley [Kelowna] and around the province in producing and distributing alcohol to strive,” explains Christy Clark from a winery in Kelowna.
She believes the model can be created in a way that is going to increase sales for BC wine. “Imagine if BC products, BC wine could be in grocery stores around the province, how many more customers wineries like this one will have. Their foot traffic will increase four or five folds in some cases.”
She says her government is supporting 12 of the recommendations made in Parliamentary Secretary John Yap‘s report on liquor policy reform.
Included in the recommendations:
- Local manufacturers by cutting red tape on licensing.
- The promotion of BC products and producers, both in-store and by exploring the potential for a quality assurance program for craft breweries and distilleries.
- The growth of the wine, craft brewery and craft distillery industries by allowing the sale of products at locations like farmers’ markets and secondary tasting rooms.
