U.S. liquor sales to benefit charities
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
The Manitoba government is releasing some U.S. liquor products for sale this Christmas season with a plan to donate up to $500,000 in proceeds to local charities.
Private businesses such as restaurants, wine stores and rural vendors will be able to order previously blacklisted U.S. products starting Monday, Glen Simard, minister responsible for the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corp., told the Sun.
Some Manitoba-owned liquor stores will then be making U.S. products available starting Dec. 10.
Lyndon Tarrant stands outside the Manitoba Liquor Mart on 10th Street in Brandon, one of the government-run stores that will sell the U.S. products starting Dec. 10. Tarrant says Jack Daniels might be on his shopping list this season. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Simard, the MLA for Brandon East, said the province wanted to answer an important question.
“How can we do some good with what we’re being hit with, in terms of tariffs and our response?” he said in a phone interview Thursday. “We’re just putting it back on the shelves to help some of our important charities.”
Two Westman organizations have been selected to benefit from the program — the Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer Registry and Helping Hands Centre of Brandon — along with four other Manitoba charities.
The sales will end on Dec. 24. At that time, the province intends to continue blacklisting U.S. products, Simard said.
The plan is exciting, he said, but added Manitobans should also try to buy locally made products as much as possible.
Brandon’s Liquor Mart at the corner of 10th Street and Victoria Avenue will be one of the government-run stores to stock the U.S. supplies this season, Simard said. Only 12 Liquor Mart stores across Manitoba will put the merchandise back up for sale.
Lyndon Tarrant, a student in Brandon, told the Sun he supports the move.
“It’s a lot better, rather than just leaving it on the shelf,” Tarrant said outside the selected Liquor Mart. “I think it’s better off, people will enjoy something they missed, and it’s beneficial.”
Jack Daniels, a U.S.-made whiskey, might be on his shopping list this season, he said.
The student added he would prefer that the fundraising went toward charities that dealt with addiction, including alcohol addictions.
“People need help, just in general.”
Keven Bowie, on his way to shop at the Liquor Mart, told the Sun he thinks the U.S. booze should stay off limits.
“I would rather them keep it off the shelf,” he said. “(But) if they are going to give it to charity, I support it.”
Bowie said he does not buy much U.S. merchandise, and does not plan to get any products for himself or as gifts this season.
Other shoppers also supported the idea of keeping the U.S. liquor off the shelves. The best move would be to “stick to your guns” and keep the booze off limits, one said, while another favoured the decision, saying, “Give it to charity and don’t buy it again.”
The province will not retain any profits from the sale this season, press secretary Caedmon Malowany told the Sun on Thursday. The province is set to raise $500,000 if it sells the entire stock, worth $1 million and all proceeds will go toward the charities, Malowany said.
Helping Hands executive director Angela Braun said the funds will support operating costs like hydro, water and staff pay, as well as maintenance.
“That is amazing — we are beyond thankful for any help we can get,” she said Thursday.
The Sun was unable to speak with a representative of Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer when reaching out late in the day.
Simard said the two local charities were chosen for their relevance to the season.
“We know that food brings people together, and the best that we can do to bring people together is by providing these organizations resources to continue to do that great work,” Simard said.
Premier Wab Kinew said in a press release on Thursday that he thought the program would deliver cheer at the right time.
“Manitobans have been resilient against Donald Trump’s tariffs and deserve some holiday cheer,” said Kinew. “We are offering people a chance to give back to the most vulnerable families during this holiday season.”
Other charities slated to benefit are the Christmas Cheer Board of Greater Winnipeg Inc., Harvest Manitoba, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc., and the Boys and Girls Club of Thompson.
» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com