By Brian Schultz
A merger between the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation is expected to save $1.5 million annually.
The two Crown corporations — later to be called the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation — will reduce costs and enable the corporation to meet the future challenges of the liquor, gaming and entertainment industries.
The merger of the two was previously announced in the provincial government’s 2012 budget.
“This streamlined executive structure is an important step in merging the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation and will result in greater efficiency and significant cost savings,” said Dave Chomiak, minister responsible for gaming.
Chomiak said the two boards of the Crown corporations were combined in May.
The $1.5 million in savings account for the salaries and benefits of nine senior management positions and will be achieved by eliminating duplicate positions, through retirements and by the integration of positions into existing vacancies.
Winston Hodgins will oversee the new corporation and its 3,000 employees as president and CEO.
