The Manitoba government introduced a new bill that would see license holders be allowed to sell all types of alcohol carried by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. This means beer stores would be able to carry wine and spirits as well, and wine stores would be able to have beer and spirits.
It also loosens the requirement for beer vendors to provide accommodation, which is the reason vendors have always had to be attached to hotels. The bill would allow for a five-year pilot project that would allow liquor sales in businesses like grocery stores, but it would have to go through a public consultation process first.
The PC Government says this would bring Manitoba more in line with other provinces, while the opposition NDP says the government is moving toward privatization, and more widely-available alcohol creates a risk to minors.
