Alberta Liquor Store Association not pushing beer in grocery stores

The president of the Alberta Liquor Store Association says its members are not pushing for the province to allow beer to be sold inside of grocery stores.

Ivonne Martinez says major grocers in the province, such as Loblaw and Sobeys, already sell beer, along with wine and spirits, in separate liquor stores. Loblaw, for instance, sells booze under its Real Canadian Liquorstore banner in the province.

Her comments come as Ontario starts rolling out a plan to allow people to buy beer in grocery stores that will be phased in until 2017.

Martinez says Alberta doesn't need to follow suit because the province's existing system already works well.

Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador also allow beer to be sold in grocery stores.

The Alberta Liquor Store Association says it represents more than 570 independent retail liquor stores across the province.