MONCTON, N.B. – NB Liquor has sent out a notice to local groups across the province that it will be ending its passive solicitation program next summer.
The program, which allows groups to solicit funds at the entrance or exit of NB Liquor stores, will be ending on June 30.
NB Liquor will also be adding restrictions to the current program starting January 1. Those under 19 years of age will no longer be allowed to solicit, and groups will no longer be allowed to be bring animals on-site, unless they are service dogs.
Solicitation program days will also be reduced to Thursday and Friday, instead of Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
It’s a big blow to organizations that make most of their funds by soliciting donations at NB Liquor stores.
“We’re just finding out, so we haven’t even had a chance to problem solve,” said Nancy Morton Vanderhorst, from CARMA, the trap, neuter and return cat program.
She says the group gets about half their fundraising money from campaigns at NB Liquor. The group is very concerned that they will not be able to help as many cats in the future without the money.
“It’s also the one where we have the most awareness,” she said of the NB Liquor fundraising campaign. “It’s not always about just making the funds. It’s about people seeing you and saying ‘Who are you? What are you? Oh my neighbour has like 20 cats, can you help?'”
But NB Liquor spokesperson Marcelle Saulnier said they made the change after receiving complaints from customers.
“We’ve been hearing increasingly for the last few years that our customers are uncomfortable with the program,” she said. “They feel like it’s an over abundance of people asking.”
She added that the liquor store is often not the first stop someone makes on a Saturday, so they may also be solicited at grocery stores or big box stores.
Instead she said NB Liquor will be focusing on its prompt-at-cash programs for a few organizations, like Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Canadian Mental Health Association, New Brunswick chapter.
There are three exemptions to this change. The Legion will still be allowed to do their poppy campaign and the Salvation Army will still be allowed to do their kettle campaign. Also the Cancer Society of Canada will be allowed to sell daffodils both with boxes on the counter and in-store.
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