Poll shows few Ontarians want to sell off Crown corporations like the LCBO

TORONTO, June 12, 2020 /CNW/ - A new Nanos poll shows that seven out of 10 Ontarians feel the government should prioritize improving our long-term care and public services over tackling the deficit. And when the time does come to tackle the deficit, barely a quarter think we should sell off Crown corporations like the LCBO.

"Not only does the LCBO boast an outstanding record of excellent customer service, choice, and safe, responsible sales, it also generates massive revenues that we can invest in public services and in reducing the deficit," said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

"The LCBO returned more than $2 billion in profits to the people of Ontario last year. It was the same the year before, and it will be the same for years to come," said Thomas. "No wonder so many people are saying: 'Keep the LCBO public!'"

The poll of 1,017 Ontarians, conducted by Nanos Research between May 24 and 27, found that when it comes to privatizing Crown corporations like the LCBO, twice as many "oppose" the idea as "support" it.

The poll also found that just 29 per cent said it's "important" for the government to prioritize deficit reduction once the pandemic is resolved. On the other hand, 88 per cent said it's "important" to prioritize improving long-term care, 78 per cent said it's "important" to improve health care, and 56 per cent said it's "important" to create jobs. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

"As OPSEU's Treasurer, I'm extremely heartened by the financial smarts Ontarians are showing in this poll," said OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida. "The pandemic has made it clear that we need to invest in our public services. And Ontarians clearly understand that when you need money for investing, the last thing you want to do is sell-off revenue generators like the LCBO." 

"I can understand why the private alcohol industry is lobbying so hard to take the LCBO away from us – those profits are tempting. But this poll makes it clear to them and to Premier Ford: we're not selling."

Results of the Nanos poll are available at www.opseu.org and www.nanos.co

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Warren (Smokey) Thomas 613-329-1931