A newly launched consultation is asking Nova Scotians to weigh in on liquor retailing with a possible eye to expanding the number and types of venues where alcohol can be purchased and/or consumed. The provincial government plans to randomly survey about 1,500 individual residents in the coming weeks, and the general public is also invited to submit comments until June 30.

“Nova Scotia is taking steps to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and that makes this a good time to look at how alcohol is sold and consumed,” says Nova Scotia Minister of Finance and Treasury Board John Lohr. “We’ll be reaching out to interested groups and polling Nova Scotians to determine whether this is something they’re interested in and what their concerns might be.”

The government is anticipating feedback from roughly 250 stakeholder groups. Meanwhile, the province’s largest union has stated its opposition to broadening sales beyond the 300 or so venues currently licensed to sell alcohol. That includes the provincially operated retailer, Nova Scotia Liquor Corp., private wine and speciality stores, farmers’ markets and on-site retail outlets at breweries and wineries.

“The whole idea is a solution in search of a problem,” asserts Sandra Mullen, president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees’ Union (NSGEU). “Putting alcohol in convenience stores will end up making it easier to buy a 12-pack than it is to buy a double-double at Tim Horton’s. Moreover, it has the potential to reduce much-needed provincial revenue, which is used to fund health care, education and other important public services that people count on.”