Achi news desk-
The cabinet minister responsible for Alberta’s liquor industry is calling for a four-liter plastic jug of vodka to be sold for less than $50, and says he is looking at price intervention.
However, the vodka retailer says that while $50 is a discounted price, it is a fair one and that government interference in setting prices could threaten the livelihoods of small-scale operators.
Alberta Service Minister Dale Nally made his comments Monday when asked by reporters about a photo circulating on social media depicting jugs of Value vodka for sale at Edmonton Super Value Liquor for $49.95.
“That’s not very responsible,” Nally replied.
The jugs have plain labels, showing the words Value and Vodka over a plain yellow background.
Federal laws regulate the labeling and packaging of alcohol across Canada, and Nally said the jugs comply.
“What it doesn’t conform to is the spirit of Albertans,” he said.
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“We believe in responsible pricing, and that’s where I think it goes wrong.”
Under the current rules, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) sets the wholesale price that retailers must pay to purchase products.
Sunny Bhullar, manager of Edmonton Super Value Liquor, said his store discounted the jugs from $60, but said it was a fair deal.
“We make sure that we serve our customers in a responsible way,” Bhullar said in an interview.
He said the aim of the store is to provide quality products to consumers who want to buy in bulk and save money.
“Our marketing approach is that we sell at a fair price,” he said.
If Nally introduced minimum prices or a floor price, Bhullar said he might be concerned.
“In that scenario it will be difficult for independent stores to compete with the larger chains,” he said.
Nally’s ministry did not immediately clarify what specific actions the government might take on pricing.
Nally made the comments ahead of the introduction of an omnibus red tape reduction bill which he said will clarify he has the authority to set drink prices.
Nally added, “If this bill passes, then this is exactly the kind of thing I will be looking into.
“I don’t think a four liter plastic jug of vodka adds to the quality of the distillery industry we have in this province. I don’t think it’s responsible pricing.”
Nally said with the bill, he hopes to ensure that the rules reflect what happens in practice, as the AGLC, which is responsible for overseeing the spirits industry throughout the province, is not increasing the price of liquor without the minister’s approval.
& copy 2024 The Canadian Press
