"The British Columbia Government's announcement that it will continue with the current government owned liquor store model, while seeking an enhanced role for private stores, is a reasonable, balanced approach", said Mr. Cran. "Private stores have offered benefits to consumers and there is a continuing important role for them as part of the overall liquor distribution system."

The decision by the British Columbia will also reduce the concerns of municipalities and community groups about the large-scale proliferation of private liquor stores and the impact this would have on communities.

The Consumers' Association released a study on May 28, 2003 that showed consumers in British Columbia would pay more for beer, wine and liquor under a private liquor system as proposed at that time by the BC Government. The study, entitled "Privatization of BC's Retail Liquor Store System: Implications for Consumers", compared prices at 69 private liquor stores in Alberta with those at BC government liquor stores. The study found that consumers would pay an estimated 10-20% more under a private system in BC. This study may be downloaded from www.CACBC.com.

"Our Association now urges the British Columbia Government to implement a new business plan for Government owned liquor stores. The current liquor store model is tired and needs updating", said Mr. Cran. For example, in Toronto, the Ontario Government has a large liquor store that sells a massive selection of wines from around the world and has on premise wine tastings. In Saskatchewan, a consumer can go into a liquor store and purchase quality bulk wines that they bottle themselves inside the store. "These are the types of concepts that consumers would welcome", said Mr. Cran.

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For further information: contact: Bruce Cran, President, Consumers' Association of Canada - British Columbia Tel. 604-454-7827