Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Liquor Mart Anti-Theft Strategy Update

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is seeing encouraging results from its enhanced strategy to target Liquor Mart theft.

“Since the measures were announced in March, we have seen a 23 per cent reduction in theft and robbery incidents,” said Liquor & Lotteries President Peter Hak. “While these are still early results, we are cautiously optimistic they are trending in the right direction.”

Hak said the increased security efforts have also produced a 20% increase in the number of arrests made and a 55 per cent reduction in shrinkage (cost to Liquor Marts due to bottle theft) within all stores. “While we are pleased to see improvements in shrinkage, our number one priority is the safety of our employees and our customers,” said Hak. “We have been working closely and cooperatively with the Winnipeg Police Service to apprehend and arrest thieves and it is gratifying to see these efforts are having the desired effect.”

In mid-March the corporation announced a strategy to target increasing thefts and robberies in Liquor Marts while protecting the safety of employees and customers.
Several tactics were announced including the use of bottle locks and alarm pedestals, dummy bottles, video displays at Liquor Mart entrances, exit turnstiles, requiring customers to ask staff for high value bottles, as well as the expanded use of Winnipeg Police Service Special Duty Constables in Winnipeg Liquor Marts, and the creation of a Loss Prevention Officer team. The corporation also initiated a public information campaign to let customers know about the new measures and to warn potential thieves they would get caught.

Hak said not all measures have been implemented to date and the corporation is continuing to assess and evaluate the impact of the deterrents. He said customers may see additional measures implemented in the coming weeks and months.

“We are encouraged by these early results; however, we will continue to monitor the impact of our measures and fine tune our efforts going forward,” said Hak.

-30-

To arrange an interview, contact:
Char Thompson | Public Affairs Coordinator
204.957.2500 ext. 3930 | char.thompson@mbll.ca

MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES RECEIVES FAIR TRADE WORKPLACE DESIGNATION

Now the Largest Fair Trade Workplace in Canada

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is thrilled to announce that it has recently received the Fair Trade Workplace Designation from Fairtrade Canada and the Canadian Fairtrade Network, making it the largest Fair Trade workplace in Canada.

“Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is dedicated to being a sustainable business that makes a positive impact for all Manitobans,” said Bev Mehmel, Director Corporate Responsibility. “We also recognize the importance of being a good global citizen and supporting fair working conditions for all.”

The Fair Trade Workplace program was created to recognize organizations for their efforts to source Fairtrade certified products and for their awareness-raising activities among their staff and customers.

Through sustainable procurement practices, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries ensures that:

• 25% of the food in our casino restaurants is locally sourced;
• paper products purchased are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified to support sustainable forestry practices;
• all single use food containers, including straws, supplied at Casinos of Winnipeg are compostable;
• between 20-25 Fairtrade certified products are offered in Liquor Marts, making us a leader among Canadian liquor jurisdictions;
• Fairtrade certified coffee options are available throughout our casino properties and corporate offices. In 2017/18, this resulted in the purchase of approximately 11,300 kg of Fairtrade coffee.

Our supplier code of conduct also sets out ethical work expectations for the companies that we have business relationships with, ensuring our suppliers are supporting international labour laws and human rights along the supply chain.

“As we celebrate Fairtrade Month, we’re thrilled to welcome Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to our community of designated Fair Trade Workplaces,” said Julie Francoeur, Executive Director at Fairtrade Canada. “Liquor & Lotteries has made an emphatic commitment to fair terms of trade through its purchasing policies and code of conduct, and is now setting an example that we hope will be followed by organizations across the country. This commitment will have meaningful impact for farmers and workers, their families, and their communities in the Global South. Congratulations on becoming the largest Fair Trade Workplace in Canada!”

To learn more about how Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries supports Fair Trade and the ways in which we are committed to making our province stronger though our corporate responsibility and business practices, please view our Corporate Responsibility Report at www.mbll.ca

- 30 -

As a Crown corporation, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries returns its revenues to the Province of Manitoba to support government programs and initiatives that are a benefit to all citizens.

CONTACT:
Char Thompson
Public Affairs Coordinator, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
204.957.2500 ext. 3930 | char.thompson@mbll.ca

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Launches Enhanced Strategy To Target Liquor Mart Theft

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is deploying a multi-point theft reduction plan to combat Liquor Mart thefts and robberies while protecting the safety of employees and customers.

Liquor & Lotteries has been working closely with the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) to identify and arrest suspects using in-house technologies and intelligence. These collaborative efforts have resulted in 113 arrests since October 2018; however, aggressive thieves and an increase in the frequency of thefts has resulted in the need to introduce additional security measures to ensure the safety of employees and customers while protecting assets.

“Individuals who take alcohol products without paying have become increasingly brazen and unpredictable when confronted, and the measures we’re taking address this shift,” said Liquor & Lotteries President and CEO Peter Hak. “We want our customers and our employees to know that we take their safety seriously and we also want to send the message that if you steal from a Liquor Mart, you will be caught.”

Tactics under the bolstered strategy include:

• New trained Loss Prevention Officer team stationed at stores during peak periods or where incidents of theft have increased;
• Expanded use of uniformed Special Duty Constables in Winnipeg Liquor Marts;
• As per our “Show your Age” program, customers appearing under the age of 25 will continue to be required to show proof of age at point of purchase. All customers who enter a Liquor Mart, regardless of age, may be asked to show valid, government-issued photo ID to a security guard at the door. Those who are unable to produce the required identification may be refused entry;
• Requiring customers to check bags when entering some stores using a claim check system;
• Video displays at store entrances to alert potential thieves they are being recorded along with continued use of high-resolution digital surveillance to assist WPS to identify and arrest suspects after they’ve left the store;
• Bottle locks and alarm pedestals and lockable shelf cases to secure high-value targeted products; and
• Making certain high-value targeted products are available on a by-request basis.

Other future measures will include:

• creating additional physical barriers such as controlled entrances and exits;
• additional security staff to support current complement; and
• enhanced surveillance.

While some of these measures are already in place, others will be rolled out over the next several weeks and months, said Hak, adding that the measures will be supported by a public information campaign to let Manitobans know what to expect when they shop at Liquor Marts. The campaign includes sharing information about security measures and ongoing arrests at MBLL.ca/StopTheft, as well as outdoor signage, in-store posters, and digital media messages.

Chief of Police Danny Smyth says the organization has continued to work with Liquor & Lotteries to address theft concerns and supports the new measures.

“Liquor & Lotteries has presented a wide-ranging set of measures to detect and deter theft in their stores,” said Smyth. “I look forward to being a part of those measures and supporting Liquor & Lotteries in their initiatives.”

Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer also expressed support for the new measures. “I am encouraged by the actions that Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries will be working to implement to curb thefts and improve safety for their customers and employees. Manitobans deserve to feel safe, and these steps strengthen the commitment to safety that we share.”

Liquor & Lotteries has also been working in close contact with the Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU); which represents Liquor Mart employees.

“We are very encouraged by these initiatives. It shows that the employer has taken the concerns we’ve raised on behalf of liquor store employees seriously and has come up with a well-thought out plan,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “We will be anxiously waiting to see the results of these initiatives and what the outcomes will be.”

Despite the rise in thefts over the past year, Hak says that theft of liquor products remains very low when compared to the retail industry average. He said the new measures are structured to strengthen theft prevention while maintaining a high-quality shopping experience for all Manitobans.

-30-

To arrange an interview, contact:

Char Thompson | Public Affairs Coordinator
204.957.2500 ext. 3930 | char.thompson@mbll.ca

Refer to the backgrounder for more details on the new security measures