Who We Are

The MLCC (Manitoba Liquor Control Commission) is an agency of the province of Manitoba mandated with regulating, distributing and selling beverage alcohol in the province of Manitoba.

Established in 1923, the MLCC is charged with the administration of The Liquor Control Act, including the general control, management and supervision of all liquor stores. The Act also empowers the MLCC to buy, import and sell liquor; control the possession, sale, transportation and delivery of liquor in accordance with the Act; and to determine the places in the province in which liquor stores will be established.The MLCC generates revenue for the provincial government to support programming in education, health care, social services and community projects. Generally, on Fridays, the MLCC transfers its net profit to the government - making a deposit not only into the provincial treasury, but into the future for all Manitobans.

With annual sales of over $580 million, the MLCC is one of the largest single buyers of beverage alcohol in the world, purchasing product from over 2,900 suppliers in 56 countries. Through its Distribution Centre, the MLCC supplies approximately 1,700 customers and annually processes over 63,000 orders.

The MLCC has been named one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada for 2007, 2008 and 2009  by Mediacorp Canada, Inc. publisher of the annual guide, Canada's Top 100 Employers, and one of the Top 10 (2007); Top 15 (2008); and Top 20 (2009) Employers in Manitoba.

The MLCC is the sole Canadian member of the U.S.-based Wine and Spirits Guild. The Guild is comprised of over 40 independent liquor retailers operating more than 500 stores throughout the United States.  The Guild operates as a buying group whose goal is to supply Guild customers with high value products at great prices.  Membership in the Guild is reserved for operators in non-competing markets and is by invitation only.

Commission Structure

The MLCC's corporate structure is typical of Provincial Crown agencies.

The Board of Commissioners oversees the activities of the MLCC. The Board Chair reports to the minister responsible for The Liquor Control Act, who, in turn, reports to the Legislative Assembly.

Carmen Neufeld, Chair
Fran Frederickson, Vice Chair
Ed Azure, Commissioner
Les Crisostomo, Commissioner
Garry Hammerback, Commissioner
Eugene Kostyra, Commissioner
Maria Moore, Commissioner
Aidan O'Brien, Commissioner
Myrna A. Phillips, Commissioner
Janine Ballingall Scotten, Commissioner

The Licensing Board considers applications for licences and determines the appropriate disciplinary action for breaches of The Liquor Control Act. These decisions may be appealed to the Board of Commissioners.

Vic Wonnacott, Chair
Dale Neal, Vice Chair
Louise Wilson, Member
Les Barrett, Member
Cliff Bernhardt, Member

The provincial government appoints all board members. The day-to-day operations of the Commission are the responsibility of the President and Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Board of Commissioners.