Dear Editor:
I strongly agree with Keith Baldrey's July 20 column in the North Shore News (Dying Gov't Should Lay Off the Booze). The B.C. Liberal government should lay off the booze, but it won't, no matter how large the outcry. The Liberals knows that this is their only chance to put the liquor business (monopoly) into the hands of their friends.
If the NDP wins the next election, Adrian Dix will likely be convinced to open government liquor stores on Sundays (as the union also suggested to the Liberals).
The Liberals know that will mean a big increase in revenue for the government (read taxpayers), not private liquor stores. Sunday openings will make it obvious that the government should stay in the
liquor business - denying big business a piece of the pie.
The Liberals are hopeful that by the time the proposed 10-year contract has expired, there will again be a right-wing party in power that can move to fully expand the dismantling of liquor distribution (LDB warehouses and inventory).
The Liberals know that they most likely won't win the next election.
This 10-year gift to private business will win over some powerful friends who have the ability to hire loyal unemployed politicians.
Steve Coffin North Vancouver
