SAQ's monopoly challenged by Robillard commission, Radio-Canada learns

Lucienne Robillard, the head of Quebec's budget review committee, will release her final report on Monday complete with recommendations for Quebec's liquor board, Radio-Canada has learned.

According to Radio-Canada, Robillard's report proposes that the SAQ no longer hold a monopoly in the province on the sale of wines and spirits.

The SAQ, the Crown corporation which distributes and sells liquor and wine in the province, contributed $1.34 billion last year to government coffers roughly $13 million more than its target.

In the previous year of 2013, the SAQ missed its government-set sales objective by about $50 million.

In the report, Robillard, who is a former Quebec and federal cabinet minister, proposes that the private sector should be allowed to compete with the SAQ.

• Quebec budget review proposes $2.3B in government program cuts
• New Quebec budget review commission to cost $3.8 million
• AUDIO | SAQ employees say they're being pressured to up sales
• SAQ wine price jump part of trend toward fewer cheap wines

The SAQ has often been the target of criticisms for its high operating costs.

The Crown corporation has changed many of its practices in recent years, including extending store hours and improving staff training so that employees can offer better advice and service to customers.