The way these things usually work, the government collects all the input from a consultation process, mulls the ideas over from every angle and later announces any resulting policy change.
That’s not how Liberal MLA John Yap rolls while conducting the liquor-policy review.
He picked out one concept on Tuesday from the hundreds being submitted — allowing sale of beer and wine in grocery stores — and got positively gushy about how enthusiastic people are about the idea.
Now the government is keen to pursue it, based on how “resoundingly popular” it is.
That’s even before the consultation has closed. Barring some insurmountable problem, it’s a pretty safe bet it’s a done deal. British Columbians will be loading beer and wine into their grocery carts some time in the near future.
Yap would look pretty silly a few months from now if he shoots down the trial balloon that he raised so enthusiastically this week.
He’s committed to “exploring retail models that could work for B.C.” But the idea seems to have the seal of approval even before the analysis begins.
Careful consideration is promised. But what they’re considering is how to do it, not whether to do it. The biggest issue is whether to just allow wine and beer on the shelves of grocery stores, or to require a store-within-a-store approach, with separate space and cash registers.
Yap seems to be leaning toward the second model, saying it could alleviate concerns about making liquor too easily available.
What remains to be determined is whether grocery stores would be new outlets, or whether the number of outlets would be capped and existing stores would just move into grocery space.
It could make for some upheaval at a lot of malls, where private liquor stores — or even government stores — could move into anchor-tenant grocery stores.
(My suburban neighborhood has seven liquor outlets within two minutes of my residence. There are two government liquor stores and five private ones, three of which are within 30 metres of a grocery store. So the difference in my ’burb between getting a case of beer at a liquor store or a grocery store is negligible.)
The working model for this change is the rural agency stores that now dot the B.C. landscape. In communities with no government or private liquor stores, 221 small grocery stores are allowed to sell liquor.
New Democrat critic Shane Simpson is dubious about the idea of allowing beer and wine into grocery stores across B.C., if it means increasing the number of liquor outlets.
“The reality is that we have 1,400 retail liquor stores in B.C. now. That’s a lot.”
Simpson said if any communities have access problems they should be addressed, but there’s “no legitimate justification” for a general increase in the number of outlets.
He said the B.C. Liberals are intent on making populist moves and will do so regardless of whether they amount to sound policy.
A newly formed association of private liquor stores briefed Yap this month and opposed the idea of beer and wine in grocery stores.
It also expressed some outrage at government liquor stores selling cold beer. Some government stores have been experimenting with chillers and the private stores think doing so amounts to an “aggressive attack” on their business.
Meanwhile, convenience stores are keen to start selling beer and wine, as well. An association of convenience stores submitted a brief listing a number of reasons why they should enjoy the same benefit that grocery stores appear to be getting soon.
If popularity is the main driver, Yap also signalled some other ideas that are likely get the OK when his report is filed to Justice Minister Suzanne Anton (responsible for liquor policy) on Nov. 25.
They include selling craft beer and wine at farmers’ markets, streamlining the process for getting special-occasion licences,and allowing children to accompany their parents into pubs and Legions.
It looks as if he’s got so many populist moves in mind he can’t wait to get started.
