Privatizing liquor stores was front and center at this week’s Sask Party caucus retreat, north of Prince Albert.
Premier Brad Wall and his caucus are meeting at Elk Ridge Resort to formulate the government’s strategy heading into the fall legislative session.
However, it appears privatization of Saskatchewan liquor stores is at the forefront of the government’s agenda these days.
In an interview with media on Wednesday, Wall says there is support for privatization.
“A government that needs to continue to build schools, bridges, highways and hospitals ought not to be spending any more money to lay brick and mortar for liquor stores, it just doesn’t make any sense,” he says.
Wall says the next step is to do more formal consultations with Saskatchewan people to get a better idea what should be done in regards to liquor laws in the province.
Funding of a second bridge in Prince Albert was also a topic of discussion at the caucus meetings.
Earlier this week, the province gave its support for funding a new bridge under the P3 model.
Wall says an earlier study of projected traffic volume on a second bridge determined the numbers would not be high enough to warrant the province funding the project on its own.
“But if the City of Prince Albert is accessing a federal program and it is a priority for them, we will go with their lead and provide our share.”
The premier also reiterated the future of liquor retailing is likely to be a big topic in the fall session.