There’s still time for Saskatchewan residents to have their say about the future of the province’s liquor retail system.
The liquor consultation kicked off Nov. 4 with the launch of a website that provides some history about liquor retailing in Saskatchewan and also includes information about liquor retailing in other jurisdictions.
Visitors to the website are invited to provide feedback on five options presented for consideration:
• Maintaining the current system;
• An expanded private retail system;
• Alberta-style fully private retail system;
• Managed transition to fully private system; and
• An expanded government retail system.
The province’s liquor retail system currently consists of 75 government liquor stores, about 190 franchises operating in private businesses in rural Saskatchewan, 450 off-sale outlets and three private full-line liquor stores.
A fourth private full-line store is set to open in Regina in the spring.
The consultation website, www.saskatchewan.ca/liquorretail will be open for comments until
Jan. 30.
Expanded coverage
An additional 94 drugs will be covered under Manitoba’s pharmacare program starting next week.
Two of the new drugs being added to the formulary are Komboglyze and Levemir, which are used for the treatment of diabetes.
Some of the other new drugs added to the formulary include Aubagio, for the treatment of multiple sclerosis; Esbriet, for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Galexos, for the treatment of Hepatitis C; Invega Sustenna, for the treatment of schizophrenia; Stivarga, for gastrointestinal stromal tumours; TOBI Podhaler, for cystic fibrosis; Actemra, for polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; and a new strength of Xeomin, for uncontrolled twitching of the neck and eye muscles.
Of the 94 drugs added, 80 are generic medications.
The additions are expected to save Manitoba patients $3.9 million a year. Coverage for the new drugs will begin on Jan. 19.
Pharmacare is a universal, comprehensive prescription drug program for any Manitoban with benefits based on family income. It covers 100 per cent of eligible drug costs once the income-based deductible is reached, regardless of medical condition or age.
Stacked event?
The opposition Tories are accusing the NDP government of using taxpayer money to stack seats with government staff at Premier Greg Selinger’s State of the Province address last month.
“According to new information received by the Official Opposition, 37 employees from various government departments attended the luncheon at a cost of over $3,000, paid for by the taxpayer,” read a Progressive Conservative news release.
“This deliberate move to prop up the NDP, especially at a time of political turmoil, is grossly unacceptable. NDP waste and self-serving priorities mean less for all Manitobans.”
Selinger, who is running to retain the NDP leadership, delivered the speech at an event hosted by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 4.
