Lək̓ʔəŋən [LEKWUNGEN] TERRITORY / VICTORIA, B.C. — Emily Lowan, leader of the Green Party of British Columbia, spoke out about the BC NDP allowing private liquor distribution in BC:
The ‘labour party’ just undercut labour — again. By allowing private corporations to deliver alcoholic beverages directly to wholesale and licensed customers, the BC NDP has betrayed union workers in favour of industry lobbyists.
This is not the party BC voted for. Just 14 years ago, the BC NDP railed against the BC Liberals for even considering privatizing liquor distribution, calling the process “highly tainted,” criticizing a lack of consultation with the public and industry. Now, the BC NDP is moving forward with a plan tainted by the same type of corporate lobbying and unwillingness to consult with the workers who will be most affected by this change.
Attempting to skirt unionized liquor distribution is a clear attempt to undermine the leverage of workers in future negotiations. Under a year ago, the BCGEU went on Canada’s longest public service strike. The results were better wages and higher standards for BC’s workers, but it was only by withholding liquor distribution that they were able to get the government to the table.
The BC NDP has relied on their reputation as a workers’ party for so long, they’ve forgotten to actually represent them. Their doors are wide open to corporations trying to undercut union workers, and closed to the workers themselves.
The hundreds of unionized workers who will be affected by this decision deserve better than to be undercut by their government. We know that moving to private, non-unionized models hurts everyone: it lowers wages, lowers standards, and eventually, hikes prices.
British Columbians shouldn’t fear for their jobs and pay more for their liquor because their government capitulated to lobbyists.
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Media contact
Prym Goodacre, Media & Press Secretary
+778 650 0597
newsroom@bcgreens.ca