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>Other people have already mentioned how the government runs the alcohol stores and (IMHO) they do a pretty good job of it. No. They don't. I was recently at a

>Other people have already mentioned how the government runs the alcohol stores and (IMHO) they do a pretty good job of it. No. They don't. I was recently at an Ontario beach on a long weekend - all the stores on the strip leading up to the beach were open because of the tourists and cottagers flocking into the area...except for the LCBO. The LCBO was closed because it was a stat holiday. No business would close on their biggest sales day of the year. Try buying alcohol on New Years Eve and see the insane lineup because they close early New Years Eve and are closed completely on New Years Day. Or try grabbing a bottle of liquor on your way to your buddies house for dinner in the evening on a Sunday. Those stores don't need to exist. It is so stupid, it's beyond reason. The liquor is marked-up and expensive too.

criddell 9y ago
On non-holiday weekends, the stores are open Sunday. If you aren't happy about the stores closing for holiday weekends, blame the union. That's something they protect for their members. > The liquor is marked-up and expensive too. That's just taxes. Anybody else selling alcohol would have to add their profit on top of that. It might seem expensive, but don't forget that you are helping to pay for government provided services.
- wolco 9y ago
  They are open for only a few hours on Sunday. Blame the union? Lets not shift the debate. The government could open later and longer and unions could not stop them.
- JPKab 9y ago
  "Blame the union" Hmmmmm. If only there was a way for stores to not all be owned by a single entity that is forced to have all of their employees be part of a union. We could call it privatization.
  - criddell 9y ago
    Opinions differ, but I would say weakening the union would be a bad thing.
- macspoofing 9y ago
  >If you aren't happy about the stores closing for holiday weekends, blame the union. That's something they protect for their members. What are you talking about? Unions don't care about stat holidays. They care about making sure their members are paid. Plenty of people would work over a long weekend for 1.5x or 2x wage. To me seeing the LCBO closed while every other place on that strip was open and full of shopping tourists means the LCBO is completely immune to market forces. They just don't care.
dade_ 9y ago
Aside from the hours of operation which really has nothing to do with the LCBO (complain to your MLA), yes they do. They are well stocked, very clean, their employees are trained and treated maybe too well, they run tasting bars and even offer loyalty points. As for the price, "wines and spirits sold in Canada is subject to the Excise Act, 2001,[36] which contributes greatly to the cost of beverage alcohol, although most liquor tax is provincial."

criddell 9y ago

On non-holiday weekends, the stores are open Sunday. If you aren't happy about the stores closing for holiday weekends, blame the union. That's something they protect for their members. > The liquor is marked-up and expensive too. That's just taxes. Anybody else selling alcohol would have to add their profit on top of that. It might seem expensive, but don't forget that you are helping to pay for government provided services.

wolco 9y ago
They are open for only a few hours on Sunday. Blame the union? Lets not shift the debate. The government could open later and longer and unions could not stop them.
JPKab 9y ago
"Blame the union" Hmmmmm. If only there was a way for stores to not all be owned by a single entity that is forced to have all of their employees be part of a union. We could call it privatization.
- criddell 9y ago
  Opinions differ, but I would say weakening the union would be a bad thing.
macspoofing 9y ago
>If you aren't happy about the stores closing for holiday weekends, blame the union. That's something they protect for their members. What are you talking about? Unions don't care about stat holidays. They care about making sure their members are paid. Plenty of people would work over a long weekend for 1.5x or 2x wage. To me seeing the LCBO closed while every other place on that strip was open and full of shopping tourists means the LCBO is completely immune to market forces. They just don't care.

dade_ 9y ago

Aside from the hours of operation which really has nothing to do with the LCBO (complain to your MLA), yes they do. They are well stocked, very clean, their employees are trained and treated maybe too well, they run tasting bars and even offer loyalty points. As for the price, "wines and spirits sold in Canada is subject to the Excise Act, 2001,[36] which contributes greatly to the cost of beverage alcohol, although most liquor tax is provincial."