Alcohol and Drug Addictions. Specifically

¶ … alcohol and drug addictions. Specifically it will discuss whether alcohol should be available for sale in corner stores in Ontario, as it is right now in Quebec. Currently, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) a government agency that regulates the sales of most alcohol in the province, controls alcohol sales in Ontario. Selling liquor outside of government-owned or approved locations could be in the future, as that has happened in Quebec, and Alberta has privatized liquor sales, leading to more liquor stores in that province. Studies indicate that privatizing liquor sales could be beneficial to the province and to consumers.

In Ontario, liquor sales are strictly controlled, and that is the case in most provinces. People buy their liquor at the state LCBO stores, or even online, or they can go over the border into the U.S. And bring back liquor, those are essentially the only choices. Because of this, there is very little competition to keep prices down, or to keep prices low for consumers.

Ontario does allow sales from other sources, but they are all under government control, like the Beer Stores, retail winery stores, and other locations. In Quebec, the Societe des alcools du Quebec (SAQ) is the provincial agency regulating alcohol sales, and they do allow sales in grocery stores and in corner stores, unlike Ontario. Alberta is the only province that has privatized liquor sales, and many people believe doing the same in Ontario would actually be beneficial to the government and the people.

Government regulation helps keep prices higher, but many people feel that it helps keep alcohol consumption under control, as well, which keeps alcohol addiction down in provinces with strict regulations. The LCBO contributes to alcohol awareness by offering social responsibility courses in schools and businesses, and by collecting money to support organizations such as MADD and other alcohol-related causes and events. They also run a recycling program and support local charities and organizations. In addition, they contribute billions of dollars to the economy of Ontario, as well. They run an aggressive advertising campaign, and some people believe that helps contribute to alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and that in effect the province, by regulating alcohol sales, is helping promote alcohol addiction and abuse in the communities.

By contrast, most everyone is well aware that in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, marijuana is legal in cafes called coffee shops, and because it is less regulated, they have far fewer problems with addiction and abuse in Amsterdam. They do have problems with organized crime, and announced in late 2008 that they would close some coffee shops and other shops due to criminality, but not due to health related or addiction concerns (Sterling).

In a survey conducted by a marketing group, most Quebec residents approve of the monopoly on liquor sales, essentially because of the revenue it brings the province, and they do not want that to change, they want the province to continue to manage liquor sales. A percentage believe that liquor prices would go down in the wake of privatization, but they also believe that the number of liquor stores would increase, and they would not approve of that (Author not Available 6). Thus, it seems that most residents are satisfied with the liquor laws the way they are, and do not see a need for change, and they would not approve of more liquor stores in the area.

In Alberta, liquor stores have been privatized, although the government still maintains strict regulations on anyone who sells liquor. It is available in liquor stores, retail outlets, and in bars and restaurants. Many people felt this would lead to widespread addiction and abuse, but studies indicate that may not be the case. In an economic study completed in 2005 comparing Ontario and Quebec's monopolies with Alberta's privatization, the results were surprising. People believe that revenues would decline if the monopolies went public, but in fact, because Alberta sets a flat rate for liquor prices, revenues actually went up in Alberta, not down. In addition, a wider variety of products and brands is available in Alberta than in either of the other two provinces, and there are more locations available to buy liquor in Alberta ("Privatization of alcohol trade"). In fact, since privatizing the liquor industry, Alberta's sales have almost doubled, jobs in the industry have risen dramatically, and people are happy with the service and availability of liquor in the province ("Alberta liquor privatization").

One of the biggest fears is that the Alberta system will lead to more alcoholism and abuse because of the availability of alcohol in the province. However, the economic study found that while in the period between 1993 and 2003, alcohol sales rose only 1.2% in Alberta, while they rose 4% in Ontario and 13% in Quebec. Thus, alcohol sales actually rose far less in the privatized province, leading to the conclusion that abuse is not a problem in Alberta, even with more outlets and types of liquor available.