Manitoba Liquor Control Commission

The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) was a Crown Agency mandated with regulating, distributing, selling and giving away free beverage alcohol in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The Manitoba government merged MLCC with the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation in 2013 to form the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation. MLCC has a current sale where all alcohol “must go” before November 15th, 2019.

This article is about former Manitoba crown corporation. For its successor, see Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation.

Manitoba Liquor Control Commission
Crown corporation
IndustryRetail (Department & Discount)
FateMerged with Manitoba Lotteries Corporation
SuccessorManitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation
Founded1923
Defunct2013
HeadquartersWinnipeg, Manitoba
ProductsLiquor sales and distribution to both consumers and businesses
Revenue approx: $284.1 Million CAD (fiscal 2013-2014)[1]
Number of employees
1,200[2]
WebsiteManitoba Liquor Control Commission corporate website
Liquor Mart in Winnipeg, Manitoba

History

The Liquor Control Commission of Manitoba was established in 1923 to control the sale of alcoholic beverages in Manitoba. The Liquor Control Act empowered the Commission to buy, import and sell liquor; control the possession, sale and transportation of liquor; and to establish liquor outlets throughout the province of Manitoba.[3]

Activities

At the time of its merger, MLCC employed approximately 1,200 full and part-time workers.[2] Workers at the MLCC are members of the Manitoba Government Employees Union.[4] In October 2008, MLCC was named one of "Canada's Top 100 Employers" by Mediacorp Canada Inc., and was featured in Maclean's newsmagazine. Later that month, MLCC was also named one of Manitoba's Top Employers, which was announced by the Winnipeg Free Press newspaper.[5]

It is headquartered in Winnipeg and has 51 Liquor Marts, 175 Liquor Vendors (partners with the MLCC), and eight specialty wine stores throughout Manitoba.[6] The MLCC's products include a total of 4,341 active product listings as of 2012.

The MLCC's enforcement of liquor controls includes inspections of licensed premises, sale permit functions as well as professional shoppers in liquor marts to ensure proof-of-age challenges.[7]

Jets tickets controversy

In 2012, 444 Winnipeg Jets tickets were received by the MLCC in exchange for $250,000 a year it spends to advertise at games.[8] Of these, four tickets went to the office of the minister responsible for MLCC, 66 went to the board, 188 went to head office staff, 108 to store managers, 62 to MLCC executives, eight to the MLCC social club, and four to charity.[8]

MLCC negotiated 10 seats for every Jets home game of the year.[9] Eight seats were Section 100 seats in the lower bowl, which can cost up to $199 and are the most expensive seats available.[9] Two seats were in the upper bowl.[9] MLCC board members used all 10 seats during the home opener game.[9] The $250,000 of advertising money would otherwise have gone to the provincial government.[9]

A result of the controversy, Crown Corporations Council drafted a policy to prevent top officials from receiving free tickets to sports events.[8]

Merger

The 2012 Provincial budget announced a plan to merge the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission with Manitoba Lotteries, to form the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation.[10][11][2]

In September 2012, the province held public consultations in six communities to discuss the merger: Arborg, Thompson, The Pas, Brandon, Winkler and Winnipeg.[12] The merger was completed in 2013.

References
  1. "Annual Report 2014" (PDF). Manitoba Liquor Control Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  2. "Merger surprises employees". Winnipeg Free Press. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  3. "Who We Are". Manitoba Liquor Control Commission. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  4. "Collective Agreement between Liquor Control Commission of Manitoba of the first part and Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union" (PDF). MGEU. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  5. "Reasons for Selection, 2009 Canada's Top 100 Employers Competition".
  6. "Manitoba Liquor Mart Locations" "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Manitoba Liquor Control Commission. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  8. "Manitoba liquor, lottery corp. promises Jets ticket policy". CBC News. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  9. Brodbeck, Tom (8 May 2012). "MLCC kept best Jets tickets". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  10. "BUDGET 2012: CROWN CORPORATIONS MERGER MOVES AHEAD WITH NEW BOARD AND PRESIDENT" (PDF). Manitoba Liquor Control Commission. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  11. Lett, Dan (18 April 2012). "To merge or not to merge". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  12. Owen, Bruce (7 September 2012). "Province seeks public input on alcohol, gambling". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
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