Liquor policy review recommends selling alcohol at grocery stores

Liquor should be available for sale in grocery stores.

That is the conclusion of the liquor policy review launched in September and spearheaded by Parliamentary Secretary John Yap.

Yap says the idea was supported by three-quarters of respondents.

The review recommends that liquor be sold separately from grocery products.

Earlier this week, Costco, the Real Canadian Superstore and 7/11 announced they are interested in selling liquor at their B.C. locations.

“Liquor sales in grocery stores received considerably more attention, interest and support than any other topic during the course of the review,” says Yap. “It is evident to me that B.C.’s current liquor laws have not kept pace with modern consumers. British Columbians lead busy lives, so I am recommending  that we have a more convenient option available to them, so they can pick up a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer when they are shopping for their groceries.”

READ MORE: Consultation phase over for B.C. liquor policy review

Yap says the province should maintain the current cap on the total number of liquor retail outlets.

He recommends that the B.C. government adopt a phased-in approach to the new retail model.

In all, more than 70 different recommendations are contained in the report, which will be released publicly.