NB Liquor banning public solicitation at stores

NB Liquor is banning public solicitation from local groups at its stores in 2015, pointing to complaints from customers.

For years, charitable organizations have collected cash donations both inside and outside NB Liquor outlets.

But NB Liquor recently sent them an email, saying it was ending the practice.

"We hear on a regular basis our customers don't enjoy being solicited," said spokesperson Marcelle Saulnier.

"Our store staff have been saying it's been going on for years and it's been ramping up to the point where customers didn't feel as comfortable in their shopping experience," she said.

"They feel like it’s an overabundance, that they’re being solicited store after store and we’re not usually their first stop. And our main goal is to ensure that we give customers the best possible experience in our store."

Starting on Jan. 1, the Crown corporation will enforce a new passive solicitation policy that will prohibit minors from soliciting at NB Liquor stores, even if they are with an adult.

"We feel our product is marketed towards people over 19 years of age and we wanted to keep that boundary for people at our stores," Saulnier said.

The new rules will also mean no animals will be allowed, aside from service dogs, and the fundraising will only be allowed on Thursdays and Fridays.

Saulnier said some people did not feel comfortable with animals in the store and other customers had allergies.

The passive solicitation program will end on June 30.

"ANBL has been proud to support your organizations, and would like to thank all involved for the incredible work you continue to do throughout the province. We look forward to watching your continued growth and service to New Brunswick," according to a letter sent to community groups.

​The Royal Canadian Legion is not included in the ban.

Most of the other non-profits have taken the change "very gracefully," said Saulnier.

"They've thanked us for the number of years they've been able to participate in the program," she said.

In its letter to community groups, NB Liquor said it is "streamlining social responsibility and corporate citizenship plans."

"ANBL will be strengthening its partnerships with these province-wide organizations and will seek new ways to continue making a difference at the local level," NB Liquor said.

Decision is 'truly unfair'

While NB Liquor pointed to customer complaints as a reason behind the change, there was little support for the initiative outside of a Fredericton liquor store on Tuesday.

Leighen Lyons said she participated in these fundraising initiatives in the past when she was a member of a synchronized swimming club.

She said it is going to be very tough for youth sporting organizations to make up the money that will be lost because of NB Liquor’s policy reversal.

“I think they should allow clubs to fundraise, last year I was in synchronized swimming and we raised thousands of dollars there. I think it will be a big loss to clubs and organizations, who are used to fundraising here,” she said.

Vonda Johnson said NB Liquor has a community responsibility to allow clubs and charities to use the Crown corporation’s stores to raise money.

“I think that is truly unfair, many organizations depend on people going in and out of a business to fundraise for money to help people,” Johnson said.

NB Liquor’s explanation that the policy switch stems from customer complaints also didn’t sit well with some people.

“It must be a lot of crabby customers in my mind to complain about an organization trying to raise funds. Who is going to begrudge the Scouts now, come on?” said Jamie Ford.

Larry Betts said customers always had the choice on whether to give money so he doesn’t believe it was an imposition on customers.

He said NB Liquor has made the wrong decision.

“It is another way of the government trying to shut people down,” he said.