{"id":59006,"date":"2025-10-06T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaker.ca\/?p=59006"},"modified":"2025-10-06T07:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T10:30:00","slug":"atlantic-canadian-small-businesses-call-for-provinces-to-modernize-alcohol-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/?p=59006","title":{"rendered":"Atlantic Canadian small businesses call for provinces to modernize alcohol sales\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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HALIFAX: <\/strong>According to a new report<\/a> from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), when compared to the rest of Canada, Atlantic provinces have some of the most restrictive alcohol sales markets in the Country.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlmost every province across Canada allows some private competition in alcohol sales. Alberta and Saskatchewan’s public liquor corporations only act as wholesalers,” aid Duncan Robertson, report author and Director of Legislative Affairs for Nova Scotia and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.\u00a0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“British Columbia has both private and public retailers. Quebec and, more recently, Ontario, let consumers decide\u2014shop at a government monopoly or a local business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“If it works in these provinces, why can\u2019t it work in Atlantic Canada?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The report finds that, due to limited competition, Atlantic Canadian small businesses in the retail and alcoholic beverage sectors are missing out on potential economic gains that increased competition could bring to their businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With small businesses in the region still exhibiting low levels of optimism for the next 12 months, due to economic uncertainty and trade tensions with the United States, governments need to make choices that drive economic productivity for the region\u2019s small businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Ontario, we\u2019re seeing reports of increased foot traffic as a result of their recent changes, with some convenience store owners calling it a saving grace,” said Robertson. “In British Columbia, B.C., beer sales are topping every specific type of alcohol product sold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Even in Newfoundland and Labrador, which has limited private sales, the NLC generated $70.1 million in revenue from the sale of local beer through convenience stores. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The benefits are there, and Atlantic Canada is missing out.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In addition to improved private competition, CFIB is also recommending other policies that would modernize how alcoholic beverages are sold in the region:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n