NLIS 2
December 14, 2004
(Finance)
 

Liquor Corporation Act amended to permit operations on Sundays

Government has introduced an amendment to the Liquor Corporation Act to enable corporation and agency stores to open on Sundays. All stores governed by the act will still have to follow the Shops Closing Act, and all corporation and agency stores will be closed on Easter Sunday.

"Liquor stores and liquor agency stores are the only major retail operations in the province that have not been able to provide services to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians on Sundays," said Loyola Sullivan, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board. "The Sunday opening of these stores will provide people with the same shopping conveniences that other retail outlets provide."

Minister Sullivan explained that amending the act will address current inequities surrounding the sale of alcohol. "On Sundays, licensed establishments can sell alcoholic beverages, and local beer is sold in brewers� agent stores while liquor stores and liquor agency stores have not been able to open. The ability to open these stores seven days a week will ensure that all businesses selling alcoholic beverages are subject to the same regulations concerning days of operation," he said.

Once the legislation is passed, corporation and agency stores will be permitted to operate on Sundays beginning in January 2005. The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLLC) has consulted with its employees and agency store operators about the change in operations.

"Liquor agency store operators have been asking us for this change for several years," said Steve Winter, NLLC president and CEO. "All other retail stores have been able to open on Sundays in this province for over six years, and now the corporation will have the same opportunity."

Currently, seven provinces permit the operation of liquor stores for Sunday shopping including: New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-6830 or (709) 685-4401

2004 12 14                             10:30 a.m.