New liquor stores could be privately owned, Wall says

Any new liquor stores in the province could be privately owned, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says.

Although privatization has long been a hot-button issue in this province, Wall says his government promised not to privatize existing government-owned liquor stores.

However, he says, if a fast-growing suburb in Regina or Saskatoon needs a new liquor store, maybe the government shouldn't build it.

"Do we want as a government, do we want taxpayers to invest in more bricks and mortar and the overhead of a store when we need to invest in healthcare, education and highways?"

Wall said this may be a debate during the fall session of the legislature, which begins with a speech from the throne on Thursday afternoon.