SAQ monopoly pads government revenues but isn鈥檛 necessarily in shoppers' best interest
Despite being a lucrative revenue source for the government, the Soci茅t茅 des Alcools du Qu茅bec (SAQ) monopoly is under scrutiny for limiting consumer choices, especially for premium spirits like high-end bourbons. Exclusive distribution rights mean that if SAQ doesn鈥檛 stock a particular brand, it won鈥檛 be available in Quebec's retail outlets.
In an interview with CBC, Vivek Astvansh, Associate Professor specializing in quantitative marketing and analytics at 苹果淫院 Desautels, highlights the monopoly's profitability for the government, while noting its drawbacks for consumers. 鈥淭hese crown corporations are essentially cash cows,鈥� Astvansh states. 鈥淲hile they generate significant revenue for the provincial government, they do not necessarily serve consumers' best interests. Introducing competition would be beneficial for consumers.鈥�
