In my post Privatization Works earlier this month I mentioned that I didn't have any employment figures for Alberta. Thanks to the good folks at the Commonwealth Foundation we do now. They report that employment went from 1,300 when the government ran things to 4,000 after privatization.
Alberta only has 3.75 million residents, Pennsylvania has 12.75 million. - you do the math. The union myth that jobs will decrease because of privatization is not true. It wasn't true in West Virginia, it isn't true in Alberta and it certainly isn't true in Washington.
The legislature is back in session so be sure to write, call or visit your representative or senator and tell them that you want them to get off their ass and do something for the consumer and not the special interests - privatize. (Just do it nicely)
Privatization IS Modernization, accept nothing less.
Showing posts with label Alberta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alberta. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Privatization works.
Twenty years ago today Alberta Canada started the process to privatize the government run liquor stores much like Washington did last year and like Washington they did it fast and full bore. So what did they get for their efforts?
Increased selection. True in both places. Washington has over 30 superstores now (with more being built) where it had none before and Alberta went from 2,000 items available to tens of thousands.
Increased convenience. Washington went from 329 state stores to 1500 private stores. Alberta went from 200 stores to 2,000 stores
Decreased Impaired death rate. Washington DUI and DUI crashes are both down over 9% since privatization. Alberta's DUI death rate at 1.1 per 100,000 it is lower than any state and half of what it was,
Increased employment. Washington had 931 state store workers. 3 warehousing firms alone hired 1,100 workers. Each of the over 30 superstores needed 25-40 workers and the 1,100 new stores needed some workers. While I was unable to find Alberta's liquor store employment from 20 years ago it is safe to say that going from 200 stores to 2,000 stores and the associated warehousing and transportation certainly resulted in more jobs.
Alberta is still working on wine in grocery stores 20 years later, much like we are still working on the same thing 80 years later. However, the system has been a boon to consumers and created a new entrepreneurial class in Alberta, both through retailers and licensed liquor agents.
As the linked article above points out "It seems ridiculous grown adults in this country should have to buy a legitimate consumer product directly from a government depot. While alcohol abuse is associated with social ills in some cases, that some people don’t mix well with booze is no reason for a government monopoly."
Privatization IS Modernization. Accept nothing less.
Increased selection. True in both places. Washington has over 30 superstores now (with more being built) where it had none before and Alberta went from 2,000 items available to tens of thousands.
Increased convenience. Washington went from 329 state stores to 1500 private stores. Alberta went from 200 stores to 2,000 stores
Decreased Impaired death rate. Washington DUI and DUI crashes are both down over 9% since privatization. Alberta's DUI death rate at 1.1 per 100,000 it is lower than any state and half of what it was,
Increased employment. Washington had 931 state store workers. 3 warehousing firms alone hired 1,100 workers. Each of the over 30 superstores needed 25-40 workers and the 1,100 new stores needed some workers. While I was unable to find Alberta's liquor store employment from 20 years ago it is safe to say that going from 200 stores to 2,000 stores and the associated warehousing and transportation certainly resulted in more jobs.
Alberta is still working on wine in grocery stores 20 years later, much like we are still working on the same thing 80 years later. However, the system has been a boon to consumers and created a new entrepreneurial class in Alberta, both through retailers and licensed liquor agents.
As the linked article above points out "It seems ridiculous grown adults in this country should have to buy a legitimate consumer product directly from a government depot. While alcohol abuse is associated with social ills in some cases, that some people don’t mix well with booze is no reason for a government monopoly."
Privatization IS Modernization. Accept nothing less.
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