Convenience stores lobby to sell alcohol

The Atlantic Convenience Stores Association wants the provincial government to allow convenience stores to sell alcohol and released a survey to show that many people in New Brunswick support the change as well.

The association released a poll on Wednesday that indicated 68 per cent of adults support or mostly support the idea of allowing convenience stores in New Brunswick to sell alcohol.

Right now, NB Liquor is responsible for selling alcohol in New Brunswick. The Crown corporation can also give out special licences to some stores that allow them to sell alcohol too.

But some convenience store owners say the process of awarding agency stores is confusing and unfair. They want more clarity on how licenses are handed out.

Mike Hammoud, the president of the Atlantic Convenience Stores Association, a group representing 900 stores in New Brunswick, said he wants to see New Brunswick stores to be given the same rights as others in nearby provinces.

"We feel it's vital to increase the mix in a convenience store," he said.

"In the United States you have many convenience stores that are selling alcohol beverages: Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador. Why can't we start in New Brunswick too?"

The idea of allowing stores to sell alcohol has been a political issue recently inBritish ColumbiaandNova Scotia.

The association also called forconvenience stores in New Brunswick to be able to sell alcoholin 2011.

The Department of Public Safety is reviewing the Liquor Control Act, which was enacted in 1961.

CBC News asked for an interview with Public Safety Minister Robert Trevorson the associations demand, but he was unavailable for an interview.

Marcelle Saulnier, a spokesperson for NB Liquor, said there are no changes planned for the system.

"There would have to be a change in the government mandate," she said.

"And currently our mandate is to continue with the model we have."

Meanwhile, the Atlantic Convenience Stores Association plans to continue lobbying for all stores to have the right to sell liquor in New Brunswick.

Corporate Research Associates surveyed 400 households in New Brunswick in May. The polls margin of error is 4.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.