At those stores with a controlled entrance, the inner doors to the Liquor Mart are locked. Before being allowed entry, customers must provide valid photo identification to the security guard on duty. The ID is scanned, and information is retained for 24 hours. Please note that once a Liquor Mart is operational with a controlled entrance, minors of any age are no longer permitted in the store. Please see our Photo ID & Minors section for more information.

Liquor Marts have a longstanding reputation for offering a great shopping experience with excellent customer service. This begins with customers and employees feeling safe. We heard from customers and employees who told us that this was no longer the case. Controlled entrances are one of the steps that we’re taking to reclaim that safety.

We are currently in the final phases of our rollout of the controlled entrance initiative to all 36 Winnipeg Liquor Marts with the remaining locations expected to be completed by the end of June 2020.

Even though all controlled entrances have yet to be installed at Winnipeg Liquor Marts, we have been seeing much success with this initiative. Over the past several months, we have gone from over 400 thefts and robberies weekly down to less than a dozen. We have also had a positive response from both employees and customers who have indicated they feel safe working and shopping in a Liquor Mart again.

Once all Winnipeg Liquor Mart locations are complete, we will consider expanding the controlled entrance initiative to some stores in other centres where theft risks warrant it.

There has been no indication that the thefts and robberies we were seeing in our Liquor Marts is migrating to the parking lots, however it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings. Here are some ways to stay safe in public, no matter where you are:

• Remember that your safety is more important than anything you’re carrying.
• Park and walk in well-lit, busy areas.
• Stay off your phone while walking. Keep your attention on your surroundings.
• If you get approached outside or see someone suspicious, go to the nearest open business.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has not increased its markups (our portion of the retail price that generates revenues) in response to the increased levels of theft or the cost of installing controlled entrances. Any price increases customers may see are a result of regular price changes implemented by the liquor suppliers.

Once a location has a controlled entrance, all customers must show valid photo identification at the entrance. The ID will be scanned before the customer is allowed into the store. In the coming weeks and months, controlled entrances will be rolled out to all Winnipeg Liquor Marts. 

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is committed to providing our employees and customers a safe working and shopping experience. ID is a deterrent to would-be thieves who do not want their identity known. It also helps law enforcement in the event of an incident.

When we scan your ID, we are making sure your photo ID is legitimate (not fake), valid (not expired), and that you are 18 or older.

When we scan your ID, we are collecting three pieces of information: your photo, your name and your birthdate. A photo of your identification is not being taken, nor are we capturing any additional information beyond what is noted above.

Your scanned photo ID will not be released to any third-party except for law enforcement purposes if necessary. We will not be tracking visits, purchases, or using the information collected for marketing or promotional purposes.

The information collected is held for no more than 24 hours and then deleted unless it is required for law enforcement purposes.

Section 36 (1)(c) of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) allows Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to collect information “for law enforcement purposes or crime prevention.”

Liquor & Lotteries will manage, store and protect your scanned photo ID according to the Manitoba Ombudsman’s guidelines on privacy and surveillance. All information collected is encrypted and access to it is restricted and logged. Your scanned photo ID will not be released to any third-party except for law enforcement purposes

The same forms of ID that are already accepted for proof of age are accepted for entry at the security station. These include:

• Driver’s Licence issued in Manitoba or another jurisdiction
• Enhanced Driver’s Licence issued in Manitoba or another jurisdiction
• Manitoba Identification Card
• Manitoba Enhanced Identification Card
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status
• Passport

Alternatively, two forms of government-issued identification may be shown, one of which must be photo ID. Examples include:

• Certificate of Indian Status
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Permanent Resident Card
• Canadian Firearms Licence
• Canadian Forces Identification Card (National Defence)
• Nexus Card

Unfortunately, without valid ID you won’t be able to enter any Liquor Mart that has a controlled entrance. We understand that some people don’t have ID and are not used to needing it to buy liquor. For those customers, the most convenient form of valid ID to obtain is likely a Manitoba Identification Card. This is not a driver’s licence. Visit MPI’s information page on identification cards.

If you still have questions or concerns about what forms of identification are accepted at controlled entrances, please send us a message.

No minors are permitted in Liquor Marts that have controlled entrances. This includes small children, even if they are with their parent or guardian.

Only people who are legally able to consume our products will be allowed in a store with a controlled entrance. 

It is impossible for security guards to quickly and easily determine or make decisions regarding what is an appropriate age for minors to enter, and we are unable to ID minors to prove their age. For this reason, we have decided to remove access for all minors.

We know that this means you will have to plan your shopping trip to a Liquor Mart differently than you are used to. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we continue to improve safety at our stores. 

If you still have questions or concerns about minors being restricted from entering our Liquor Marts, please send us a message.

Customers will begin to see the security station under construction one to two weeks before the new entrance rules take effect. We recommend you start carrying your photo ID with you if you don’t already.

For more information on our privacy policy and who you can contact regarding your personal information, please visit our Privacy Policy page on this site.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries uses security and anti-theft strategies that are on par with not only other Canadian liquor jurisdictions, but major private retailers across Canada.

Our corporate Investigation and surveillance teams work closely with the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) and this, coupled with the presence of WPS special duty constables and our own loss prevention officer team, has led to the identification and arrest of hundreds of individuals. We continue to diligently analyze and explore all options in addressing this issue.

The trend of brazen thefts is not isolated to Liquor Marts. Other local retailers, including grocery and department stores, are also experiencing high rates of theft at their businesses. The Retail Council of Canada has noted that downtown Winnipeg’s theft rate is triple (4-5%) that of the national average (1.44%). Winnipeg Police Service data also shows a dramatic increase in shoplifting. It has been reported that between August 2018 and July 2019, the number of shoplifting incidents disclosed to police increased by almost 82% over the previous year. The United Food Workers of Canada has spoken out about their concerns about thefts occurring at Winnipeg grocery stores.

In the event of a theft, please listen to and follow the instructions provided by Liquor Mart staff. We know how hard it is to witness these crimes and do nothing, but it is important that you DO NOT INTERVENE in an active theft. This means that you:

• do not record the theft or robbery with your phone;
• do not try to stop, trip, or tackle thieves;
• do not try to engage, confront or follow thieves;
• do not try to recover stolen product.

Liquor Mart employee training is focused on theft prevention. Our staff are trained to approach people they think may be stealing, speak with them, and discourage them from leaving the store with the product - a method that has been effective with traditional shoplifters.

Over the last few years, there has been a paradigm shift to the types of brazen thefts we have been seeing. The people committing these crimes are not your average shoplifter. They are often dangerous and have little regard for the people working and shopping at Liquor Marts. We do not want, nor expect our employees to intervene in an active crime or attempt to apprehend thieves.

Security guards stationed inside Liquor Marts play an important role in observing, detecting and deterring theft, however, they are not police and must conform to a different set of standards. They employ nonviolent crisis intervention techniques, which focuses on strategies for defusing hostile and violent situations, the standard for retailers across the country. Security guards are important to the safety and security of Liquor Mart employees and customers.

All Liquor Marts are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment that captures high definition images from all angles. We work closely with the Winnipeg Police Service, and they, as well as our Loss Prevention Officer team, have been successful in catching and arresting the individuals committing these thefts.

Between October 1, 2018 and May 18, 2020 the Winnipeg Police Service made 513 arrests related to Liquor Mart thefts and robberies. Between October 14, 2019 and May 18, 2020, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries’ Loss Prevention Officer Team enacted 160 arrests.

According to the Alberta Liquor Store Association, there have been 5,000 liquor store robberies in Edmonton alone in 2019, a 300% increase over 2018. Many of the Alberta liquor thefts echo what we have seen in Liquor Marts; people entering the store with duffel bags, swarming techniques, etc. The theft epidemic we are seeing in Winnipeg is not isolated to our city.

We have received hundreds of comments and suggestions on ways to address Liquor Mart thefts. Please be assured we have read every one of your emails/letters and have shared them with our retail and corporate security teams. Unfortunately, we are not able to respond to every message, but we do appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas.