Liquor in Saskatchewan: Where do the parties stand?

When it comes to how you will buy beer or wine, the political parties in Saskatchewan have very different ideas.

According to the parties' platforms, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority storelocations could be closed, opened ingrocery stores, or turned into Crown co-operatives.

• Use Vote Compass to compare the party positions ahead of Saskatchewan's election

Where do the parties stand?

Saskatchewan Party

The Saskatchewan Party has pledged to convert 40 government-owned liquor stores to private stores and add 12 new private liquor stores in Saskatchewan.

The Sask. Party said the conversion will be revenue neutral, but to make the proposed changes to liquor retailing, the SLGA will be removed from the Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act.

According to the party platform it would level the playing field and allow retailers to purchase alcohol at common wholesale prices, create a common set of guidelines for retailers, and make it so that retailers are treated the same when it comes to hours of operations and product sales.

• Saskatchewan to privatize 40 government-owned liquor stores

Saskatchewan NDP

The Saskatchewan NDP has pledged to modernize public liquor stores by improving hours, selection, and prices. They also plan to add more fridges to stores.

The NDP said they will put SLGA kiosks in interested grocery stores to sell beer and wine.

According to the party platform, the NDP would also promote Saskatchewan craft brewers and distillers, with growler stations and special promotions in SLGA liquor stores.

• More teachers, senior care workers included in NDP platform

Saskatchewan Green Party

The Saskatchewan Green Party has pledged to turn liquor stores into Crown co-operatives.

The Green Party promise would involve amending the Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act to allow for Crown co-operatives.

According to a post on the party's Facebook page, it would give decision making power about the sale of liquor to the member-owners. A board of directors would be elected and the Crown co-operative would pay dividends to the member-owners.

The Green Party said a single share would be obtained through a $5 membership and government involvement would be through the continued ownership of the liquor stores so that they would not be privatized.

Saskatchewan Liberals

There is nothing directly related to liquor stores in the party platform.

Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan

There is nothing directly related to liquor stores in the party platform.

Western Independence Party

There is nothing directly related to liquor stores in the party platform.