(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Melfort Liquor Outlet Auction

Retail auction to determine Melfort, other liquor permits

Nov 7, 2019 | 5:00 PM

Retail liquor store permit auctions will soon begin for several communities across the province, including Melfort.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) announced Thursday that the first auctions will begin Nov. 27, with bids closing Dec. 6.

Other communities included in the first round of auctions include Estevan, Martensville, Weyburn and Warman.

Bidders interested in vying for a permit can register here, and each auction has a minimum bid of $1000.

Additional auctions will be held in the next few months.

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Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming, Gene Makowsky explained why the government chose the live auction method rather than a request for proposals (RFP) process.

“This [auction] method is the most efficient and the quickest way forward for those communities that qualify for the population matrix,” said Makowsky. “An RFP takes a long time, it’s quite burdensome on SLGA and those who are willing to put forward an RFP, there’s a lot that goes into it.”

Makowsky said successful candidates will have to have all requirements of any other liquor permitee, including good character and municipal zoning bylaws.

In May, the government announced changes in how additional liquor retail outlets are distributed in the province.

A municipality with between 5,001 and 10,000 people would qualify for four liquor distributors, which includes off-sale outlets.

Melfort falls into that population category and the city currently has only three distributors – the current SLGA liquor store, Chances ‘R’, and Drafties Pub.

Melfort’s SLGA liquor store had originally been slated to close this past summer.

The operation of the store was extended until at least March of 2020 to coincide with the end of the existing collective agreement, after SLGA struck an agreement with the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union.

“The remaining SLGA liquor stores, including the store in Melfort, continue to operate and serve customers. No further decisions have been made,” SLGA spokesperson David Morris told northeastNOW.

The decision by the provincial government to privatize liquor stores was announced in 2015, and Makowsky said the government does not want taxpayer dollars to go into building brick-and-mortar liquor – or cannabis – stores.

“The private sector does a great job at retailing, and again, I’d rather taxpayer dollars go towards hospitals and schools and roads, and that sort of thing,” said Makowsky.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974