Altering Of Liquor Prices

In the Legislative Assembly on April 11th, 1995. See this topic in context.

Altering Of Liquor Prices
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 945

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm sure Members are already aware of the Liquor Commission's recent decision to alter liquor prices in the Northwest Territories, which came into effect April 1st of this year. The new liquor pricing system lowers the cost of many speciality items, while drastically increasing the amounts charged for several of the more popular brands. The brands I'm referring to are the Canadian brands, known as domestic products, such as Calona Wine, Private Stock, and Club Sherry.

For example, Mr. Speaker, Calona Wine went from $8.50 to $10.60 a bottle, Private Stock went from $6.45 to $8.00 and Club Sherry went from $16.45 to $20.75. At the same time, champagne and imported products were priced as follows: you can purchase a bottle of French Cordon Rouge, which went from $59.90 to $25.10 and Asti Spumante went from $17.30 to $11.45. Champagne such as Dom Perignon went from $180.60 to $63.80.

Altering Of Liquor Prices
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 945

Some Hon. Members

Shame.

Altering Of Liquor Prices
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I certainly don't agree with the direction that the Liquor Commission is taking on this issue, for a number of reasons, and I really think it should be re-evaluated. It's fairly clear to anyone looking at the new price list, that almost all the wines that have been decreased in price are imported products. The domestic wines that many of my constituents like to buy have all increased in price. Mr. Speaker, one would think that this government, especially, would be supporting a Canadian wine industry, not the Europeans. In fact, many of the wine-producing countries in Europe are the very same ones that are leading the so-called animal rights campaign, against our traditional hunting and trapping industry in the Northwest Territories. I seek unanimous consent to continue.

Altering Of Liquor Prices
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 945

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Altering Of Liquor Prices
Item 3: Members' Statements

April 10th, 1995

Page 945

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. It is also very clear that many of the brands that have gone up in price are the ones that had been favoured by low-income individuals, who just cannot afford and who don't want to spend their money on French champagne or products like Drambuie, which also went from $44.20 a bottle to $31.85.

It seems to my constituents that this new pricing is catering to the tastes of the elite and people who can afford it. Once again, the poor people, who are too often of aboriginal descent, are taking the inflated brunt of the price change. There is no doubt that everyone realizes this government has to generate more revenue to deal with its current financial crisis. Everyone knows that the sale of liquor is one way that can be accomplished. However, it is very unfair that these revenue-generating initiatives always have to be carried on the backs of the lower-income people in the north.

Mr. Speaker, there is another reason why I feel this ill-considered price policy should be evaluated. Most Members are aware that there is a considerable problem in many of our communities with chronic alcohol abuse, particularly of the "street people." Many of the products that this group tends to purchase, like Calona and Private Stock, have been priced quite high. I think so high that it encourages them to consider purchasing more dangerous products that contain alcohol.

Altering Of Liquor Prices
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 945

An Hon. Member

Shame, shame.

Altering Of Liquor Prices
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Certainly, Mr. Speaker, I am not one to encourage individuals to consume alcohol and I would certainly hate to see individuals turn to the idea of purchasing Lysol products or aftershave.

I sometimes wonder if the Minister has evaluated the economic impact of this pricing policy on the operators of privatized liquor stores. I wonder if he has considered, by raising the price of favourite brands, that he is actually encouraging the people in communities -- in a community such as Fort Smith, which is fairly close to the border -- to buy their liquor in another province. However, whatever the purpose is, I think this new pricing policy should be re-evaluated and redesigned. That should happen now before we lose a lot of costs through increased health care costs.

I would encourage this Minister to look at the re-evaluation of the new pricing which has been in place since April 1st of this year. Thank you.

---Applause

Altering Of Liquor Prices
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 945

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.