Every Ontario government since Harris has tried to make the numbers work on selling the LCBO, and not one of them has been able to find a path where “lets get rid of this asset that generates billions” has worked out.

They did sell Hydro, the 407 and carved up the corpse of OLG, though, so it’s not for want of trying.

Neoliberalism hates the idea of publicly-provided services. It feels heretical, doubly so when that service is successful, because neoliberalism feels that the only roles government should play is tax collection (so taxes can be given to the wealthy via contracted services) and ensuring the law and order is maintained so that capital can act. A public service, for the public good, that doesn’t enrich the wealthy, is wrong, and if the LCBO can make it, it calls the whole “let the market sort it out” religion into question.