Cochrane is losing its Beer Store. It will close on Monday, September 9th.
John Nock is president of the Beer Store division of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. He says it’s because the province paid the Beer Store – which is owned by the big breweries – $225-million to allow convenience stores to sell beer now, rather than waiting for 2026
Nock says 34 stores will be shuttered this year; 86 next year; and an unlimited number the year after, eliminating all the jobs they provide.
“Cochrane is about five people,” he states. “They have the option of moving to another location or to get severance.”
The outlets in Geraldton and Nipigon also close permanently on the 9th.
Cochrane is losing five jobs.
“Especially, you know, in remote areas, where there are no other jobs or very few other jobs, these are good paying fulltime union jobs with benefits and pensions for the fulltime people.”
Nock says prices will be higher in convenience stores, because they’ll have to pay the breweries to ship beer to them. That’s not the case at Beer Stores.
The outlets in Geraldton and Nipigon also close permanently on the 9th.
