Quebec liquor board (SAQ) responds to mayors about branch closures

Several SAQ liquor stores will be closed, causing concern for some Quebec mayors. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

The Quebec liquor board (Société des alcools du Québec - SAQ) is rebuffing mayors who are criticizing branch closures, particularly in town centres.

In March, seven mayors called for a moratorium on the closure of eight branches, including Julie Dufour of Saguenay, Antoine Tardif of Victoriaville and Bruno Marchand of Quebec City.

In a parliamentary committee hearing on Wednesday, SAQ president Jacques Farcy said that the branches in question did not meet customer satisfaction expectations.

He pointed out that the public expects the SAQ to be managed efficiently as a public asset.

Automated tills

The SAQ also indicated that it is closing the door on automated checkout systems such as those found in supermarkets.

Farcy suggested that his company regularly monitored the development of these systems, but that they are not financially advantageous, which caused Liberal MNA Frédéric Beauchemin to jump to his feet.

“Today, unfortunately, the studies and costings show that it is not profitable given the initial investment,” said Farcy.

“I don’t buy that answer,” replied Beauchemin, arguing that the SAQ could save on labour costs in the long term. “I can’t imagine being given that as an answer to a question that seemed relatively simple to me.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 7, 2025.