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The BC budget was announced today and the government looks as if it will shed its liquor distribution centres and pocket the money from the sale of the property.
This will change very little if anything for the consumers although many would suggest delivery service will improve markedly under free enterprise. I suspect there will be some fierce bidding for the business and it would be nice if we could avoid the Alberta model which gave up one monopoly for another and the distribution service is nowhere near what it should be.
The following letter went out to all agents today in BC.
From: Chambers, Jay LDB:EX [mailto:Jay.Chambers@bcldb.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 3:12 PM
To: Chambers, Jay LDB:EX
Subject: British Columbia's Liquor Distribution System
Good afternoon,
Today the Province has announced that it will conduct a Request for Proposals to transfer the government owned and operated LDB warehouses in Vancouver and Kamloops to the private sector by 2015. The transfer of the warehouses would mean that the Province will sell its two warehouses to the private sector.
The government operated liquor stores will not be affected by this Request for Proposals.
The Province has made the decision to approach the private sector to see how liquor distribution in British Columbia can be delivered in a more modernized and cost effective manner.
The Province will consult with the BC Government Employees Union to encourage proponents to work with the BCGEU to make the transition from a publicly operated system to a different model.
The BCGEU will also be given the opportunity to have input into the RFP itself.
Over the coming weeks as more information on this initiative becomes available I will ensure that it is communicated to you.
Jay Chambers,
General Manager,
British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch
and more from the Vancouver Sun http://www.vancouversun.com/looks+raise+million+privatizing+liquor+warehouses+selling+property/6186789/story.html
