Where to begin?
Okay, let's start with the Beer Store as sole distributor: there are good arguments to be made about licensing requirements placed on convenience stores in order to allow them to sell for off-license consumption (i.e. take home sales). But why not grant an endorsement to a Licensed Establishment (bar, restaurant) who wants one, to allow them to sell you a case of beer for home? They've already got the controls in place to keep a watchful eye for underage or overimbibed customers.
Privatizing the LCBO is a different kettle of fish: there are tremendous pricing advantages to be had from being the single (or second) largest commercial liquor purchaser anywhere. Maybe a hybrid model allowing individual LCBO stores to offer microbrands on a local contract (while not undermining the contract pricing of the larger buyer) could be created, but let's not move the price advantages from everyone to just a few shareholders.
Third: drinking and driving is not the problem. Driving over the limit is the problem. If the only beer you drink is the one you have while behind the wheel, you're no worse off than if you're eating your McDonalds take away meal on the road. You may not be setting a good example, and you may be asking for a breathalyzer test, but although it's illegal (any public consumption of alcohol is), the reasons shouldn't be confused with other societal ills.
There's more to be said, but I've probably said enough for today.
Okay, let's start with the Beer Store as sole distributor: there are good arguments to be made about licensing requirements placed on convenience stores in order to allow them to sell for off-license consumption (i.e. take home sales). But why not grant an endorsement to a Licensed Establishment (bar, restaurant) who wants one, to allow them to sell you a case of beer for home? They've already got the controls in place to keep a watchful eye for underage or overimbibed customers.
Privatizing the LCBO is a different kettle of fish: there are tremendous pricing advantages to be had from being the single (or second) largest commercial liquor purchaser anywhere. Maybe a hybrid model allowing individual LCBO stores to offer microbrands on a local contract (while not undermining the contract pricing of the larger buyer) could be created, but let's not move the price advantages from everyone to just a few shareholders.
Third: drinking and driving is not the problem. Driving over the limit is the problem. If the only beer you drink is the one you have while behind the wheel, you're no worse off than if you're eating your McDonalds take away meal on the road. You may not be setting a good example, and you may be asking for a breathalyzer test, but although it's illegal (any public consumption of alcohol is), the reasons shouldn't be confused with other societal ills.
There's more to be said, but I've probably said enough for today.
