As the BC Liberal government increased the number of private liquor stores allowed in the province over the past decade, the number of alcohol-related deaths increased, according to a study released yesterday by the Centre for Addictions Research of B.C. at the University of Victoria.

The study shows that a 3.25 per cent increase in alcohol-related deaths occurs with every 20 per cent increase in density (stores per 1,000 people) of private liquor stores.

"The increase in the number of liquor stores in B.C. per head of population following the 2002 partial privatization has led to both increases in rates of alcohol consumption and of alcohol-related deaths," the study concludes.

“We’ve known of the harm brought on by the privatization of liquor sales for years,” says Craig MacKay, chair of BCGEU Component 5, which includes members who work for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch.

“This is one of many studies that shows the connection between the proliferation of private liquor stores and alcohol-related disease and deaths - and the evidence here is quite compelling.”

The UVic study compared data collected from 2003 to 2008 when the numbers of private liquor stores increased dramatically compared with the relatively stable numbers of bars, restaurants or government stores.

The number of private stores increased from 727 in 2003 to 977 in 2008 while the number of government stores dropped from 222 in 2003 to 199 in 2008. The number of restaurants (3,849 in 2003 to 4,163 in 2008) and bars (1,833 in 2003 to 1,812 in 2008) remained relatively stable.

In the same period, the number of alcohol-related deaths rose. There were 1,937 in 2003; 1,983 in 2004; 2,016 in 2005; 2,086 in 2006; 2,074 in 2007; and 2,011 in 2008.

The causes of death examined in the study ranged from directly caused by alcohol, such as alcohol poisoning, to indirect, such as alcohol-induced violence in homicides or suicides.

“It’s time for the government to seriously consider the effect that privatization of liquor distribution is having on communities throughout the province,” says MacKay.

Read the study