Canadian Association of Liquor Jurisdictions

Each of Canada's 13 provinces and territories has a liquor board or commission that oversees the control, distribution and sale of beverage alcohol in its jurisdiction. While each of these bodies is unique, they are all committed to working together through CALJ on liquor-related issues of common interest.

British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB)

In British Columbia, the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is one of two branches of government responsible for the beverage alcohol industry. The Liquor Distribution Act gives the LDB the sole right to purchase beverage alcohol both within BC and from outside the province, in accordance with the federal Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act.

The LDB operates a province-wide, retail/wholesale beverage alcohol business, within a mixed public-private model.

As of March 31, 2010, the LDB:
• has a workforce of approximately 3,500 full- and part-time employees;
• operates 197 government liquor stores (GLSs) throughout the province;
• operates two distribution centres (DCs), in Vancouver and Kamloops; and
• has a Head Office facility in Vancouver.

As part of BC’s mixed model retail system, the LDB is committed to providing customers with an enhanced shopping environment, increased product selection and a high level of service. The LDB purchases beverage alcohol from more than 400 suppliers and manufacturers within the province, across the country and around the world. Licensed manufacturers in BC include 207 wineries, 31 breweries, 23 brew pubs, and 15 distilleries.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com

Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC)

The Alberta government privatized liquor retailing in September 1993. The private sector retails, warehouses and distributes liquor in Alberta. The Government of Alberta, through the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), continues to regulate the industry, issue liquor licences, and collect revenues from the sale of liquor.

Almost 80 per cent of Albertans are satisfied with the conduct of Alberta’s liquor business. There are over 1000 retail liquor outlets in the province. Manufactures ship their products to privately operated warehouses approved by the AGLC. Liquor licensees order their stock directly from these warehouses.

Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is a Treasury Board Crown Corporation responsible for the distribution, regulation, management and operation of liquor and gaming across the province.

SLGA achieves this through socially responsible, fair and cost-effective services and programs delivered by employees located at its head office in Regina, a liquor distribution centre in Regina, an office in Saskatoon and a network of 79 liquor stores in 64 communities throughout the province.

SLGA also has approximately 190 franchise outlets throughout the province. The population of Saskatchewan is approximately one million people.

Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC)

The MLCC (Manitoba Liquor Control Commission) is an agency of the province of Manitoba. Its mission is to regulate, distribute and sell beverage alcohol generating revenue for Manitobans within a framework of social responsibility, customer service excellence, business effectiveness and workplace quality.

Established in 1923, the MLCC is charged with the administration of The Liquor Control Act, including the general control, management and supervision of all liquor stores. The Act also empowers the MLCC to buy, import and sell liquor; control the possession, sale, transportation and delivery of liquor in accordance with the Act; and to determine the places in the province in which liquor stores will be established. The MLCC generates revenue for the provincial government to support programming in education, health care, social services and community projects. Generally, on Fridays, the MLCC transfers its net profit to the government - making a deposit not only into the provincial treasury, but into the future for all Manitobans. In Fiscal 2009, the MLCC returned over $229 million to the province of Manitoba.

With annual sales of over $580 million, the MLCC is one of the largest single buyers of beverage alcohol in the world, purchasing product from over 2,900 suppliers in 56 countries. Through its Distribution Centre, the MLCC supplies approximately 1,700 customers and annually processes over 63,000 orders. As a retailer, it operates 50 "Liquor Marts" throughout Manitoba.

The MLCC has been named one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada for 2007, 2008 and 2009 by Mediacorp Canada, Inc. publisher of the annual guide, Canada's Top 100 Employers, and one of the Top 10 (2007); Top 15 (2008); and Top 20 (2009) Employers in Manitoba.

The MLCC is the sole Canadian member of the U.S.-based Wine and Spirits Guild. The Guild is comprised of over 40 independent liquor retailers operating more than 500 stores throughout the United States. The Guild operates as a buying group whose goal is to supply Guild customers with high value products at great prices. Membership in the Guild is reserved for operators in non-competing markets and is by invitation only.

Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)

The LCBO is the largest single purchaser of beverage alcohol in North America, purchasing fine wine, spirits and beer from 76 countries for Ontario consumers and licensees. Through its integrated distribution and retail network, over 8,100 quality products are available in more than 600 LCBO retail stores across the province. Ontario boasts a population of 12 million residents. In 2006-07, LCBO reached a record $3.895 billion in net sales resulting in a $1.28 billion dividend for the Province of Ontario, excluding all taxes. This was an $80 million dividend increase over the previous year. It was the 13th straight year the LCBO increased its dividend to the province, the 12th straight record year and the fourth consecutive dividend of more than $1 billion. The 2007-08 fiscal year is expected to see continued growth, with net sales forecast to top $4 billion and the dividend projected to rise to $1.345 billion, an increase of $65.7 million.

VINTAGES is the fine wine and premium spirits division of the LCBO. The VINTAGES collection is available through 190 selected LCBO stores. In addition, VINTAGES runs a number of specialized programs that serve Ontario consumers, including Classics Catalogue, Virtual VINTAGES, Bordeaux Futures and its annual auction of fine and rare wines.

The LCBO is also committed to social responsibility, challenging a record 1.8 million customers in 06-07 who appeared to be underage, intoxicated, or buying for either group. The LCBO is also proud of its environmental commitment. One of the ways that LCBO is reducing its eco-footprint is through innovative, lightweight and convenient alternative packaging such as Tetra Pak cartons and PET plastic containers. Sales of more than 200 such products have exceeded $120 million annually, enabling the LCBO to meet its goal of eliminating 10 million kilograms of packaging waste per year two years ahead of schedule.

In addition, through LCBO's participation in the Ontario government's Bag it Back deposit return program, an estimated 250 million containers have been returned and recycled so far. For more on LCBO's environmental strategy, visit LCBO's Enviro Report at: www.lcboenviroreport.com.

Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)

The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is a government corporation that sells alcoholic beverages throughout the province of Quebec. A growing company, it currently employs nearly 6,000 persons and manages more than 800 points of sale including its network of 408 outlets. Annual gross sales exceed $2.5 billion, some $1,5 billion of which comes from the stores of its outlet network.

The SAQ also operates large warehouses with a combined capacity of 4.3 million cases and a fleet of 230 transport and delivery vehicles. It supplies 22,800 holders of alcoholic beverage sales licenses (hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.) and 277 food wholesalers who, in turn, serve the needs of 8,400 grocers. In 2004-2005, the SAQ sold 7,633 products from more than 2,400 producers in some 45 countries.

Alcool New Brunswick Liquor (ANBL)

Alcool NB Liquor is a Provincial Crown Corporation responsible for the purchase, importation, distribution, and retailing of all beverage alcohol in the Province of New Brunswick. New Brunswick's population is about 750,000.

There are 51 Board operated liquor outlets, 71 Agency outlets, 11 Cottage Wineries, Manufacturer's Agencies and Micro-Breweries, and three Duty Free/Lland outlets in the province.

PEI Liquor Control Commission

Prince Edward Island is a small island joined to New Brunswick by the world's longest bridge, and can also be reached by ferry from Nova Scotia. Home to Anne of Green Gables, the island explodes with tourists each summer. There are approximately 140,000 people living in P.E.I. as permanent residents; as an internationally popular tourist destination, its population can triple this during the summer months. There are 19 Board controlled liquor outlets and one Agency outlet in Prince Edward Island.

Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC)

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, the fourth-largest retailer of beverage alcohol in Canada and the largest single banner retail business in Nova Scotia, generates more than a half a billion dollars of revenue a year returning almost $200 million profit annually to the province. It employs more than 1,400 Nova Scotians, offering 3,000 products from around the globe through 107 retail stores, 2,100 licensees and 54 agency stores.

Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC)

The NLC is a provincial crown corporation responsible for managing the importation, sale, and distribution of beverage alcohol within the province. NLC is a major retailer (through corporately controlled liquor stores), wholesaler (to agency stores, licensees, and other liquor outlets throughout Canada), and manufacturer (corporate brands such as Screech and Old Sam rums and other contract brands such as Iceberg – rums, vodka, and gin). In addition, NLC is responsible for enforcing the Liquor Control Act, and Liquor Licensing Regulations.

NLC’s mission is to be recognized as an exceptional organization, known for its passion in customer service, strong business performance, and progressive corporate culture. NLC directly employs approximately 490 employees (full time equivalents); operates 25 corporate stores; and supplies 115 agency outlets and over 1600 licensees.

Yukon Liquor Corporation

Yukon Liquor Corporation is responsible for the purchase, distribution, and sale of liquor products in the Yukon. Its purpose is to purchase a range of liquor products and make them available to consumers, and to regulate the sale and consumption of liquor products, ensuring availability and variety of liquor products to meet customer demand, and promoting and enforcing the legal and socially responsible sale and service of liquor products. YLC operates six government liquor stores as well as directly serving some licensees from a central warehouse in Whitehorse. Through the five rural liquor stores, Territorial Agents also provide access to specific government services on behalf of other government department. The Yukon has 32,000 residents, and experiences significant temporary population increases each year through tourism visitors and seasonal workers.
http://www.ylc.yk.ca

NWT Liquor Commission

The Northwest Territories Liquor Commission (NWTLC) is responsible for the purchase, distribution and sale of all beverage alcohol products in the Northwest Territories. There are seven liquor stores and two warehouses in the Northwest Territories, operated by agents under contract to the NWTLC.

The NWTLC’s mission is to be an innovative, efficient and profitable organization, dedicated to the retail and wholesale distribution of beverage alcohol, and promote the development of a healthy and responsible drinking culture.

Nunavut Liquor Commission

The Nunavut Liquor Commission does not have a web site, however you can browse the Government of Nunavut web site here. Approximately 28,000 people live in Nunavut.

Article provided by the Canadian Association of Liquor Jurisdictions web site (CALJ.org).