Representatives of the Confederation des Syndicats Nationaux say they did not intend to offend anyone when they recorded a video promoting provincial government liquor sales.
The video, recorded in Alberta, included comments from a French speaking man indicating private liquor sales in our province have resulted in a poor level of customer service. The unidentified man states immigrant business owners, primarily Indians and Pakistanis, are uniformed salespeople when it comes to the sale of alcohol.
Following a backlash from outraged residents of Quebec and Alberta, the union issued an apology and announced its decision to remove the controversial remarks from the video.
Devinder Toor owns 14 Alberta liquor stores and has been in the alcohol sales business since the turn of the century. The owner of Westside Wine & Spirits says, contrary to the beliefs of the man in the video, he and his staff stay on top of available products in the market.
“We are very confident,” explains Toor. “The staff works to answer all the needs of the customers. We try to put the best value for the customers in terms of knowledge, prices and everything.”
Toor said Alberta’s decision to privatize liquor sales was a great thing for small business owners, customers, and the provincial government.
“It created a lot of business opportunities and it’s good for the government because the revenue stream is consistent,” explains Toor. “To be competitive you need to look around the market.”
The Quebec union’s decision to include offensive comments in its video does not sit well with the business owner.
“They went too far when they tried to bring the racial segment to put their facts through,” said Toor.
The Confederation des Syndicats Nationaux says the recording, part of its anti-privatization campaign, was intended to illustrate the negatives of liquor store privatization.
To view the video, visit Confederation des Syndicats Nationaux
