Make liquor private, Chamber agrees

February 22, 2012

Nurses, unionized workers at the Liquor Distribution Branch and employees of the Justice Ministry may not be so excited about the B.C. government’s ‘stay the course’ budget this year, but others are looking forward to new prospects.

Selling off certain assets and unused properties is a good way to make money, something Duncan/North Cowichan Chamber of Commerce President Ranjit Dhami said is likely overdue.

‘It’s time that they realize some of the things that they don’t have the expertise in, and it would be better served to the public by privatizing.”

Dhami argued that the government should focus on running what's integral to B.C. residents.

“I think the government is in the business of education, health care and social assistance—that’s their core business, and I think they should stick to that.”

Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced Tuesday, the government will sell off up to two per cent of its surplus assets over the next three years to try and raise about $700 million. The biggest item up for sale is liquor warehousing and distribution.