Retail Privatization in BC: $10.8 Billion Gain for Taxpayers?

If you are interested in the retail side of the liquor business in BC, you may want to read this intriguing new analysis of the economics of BC\’s current government control system: British Columbia\’s Alcohol Control System: Are Government Liquor Stores Redundant? (PDF file – 325KB) This paper by two economics students at UBC argues that privatization of BC\’s current system would generate a $10.8 billion increase in net present value for BC taxpayers, equivalent to a $1 billion annual annuity. The authors argue that privatization would increase government revenue and general social welfare. Interesting food for thought!