Tory Leader Tim Hudak says his LCBO privatization plan would make even more money than the record $1.711 billion announced Monday by the government-owned liquor agency.

“I am confident more (money would be made) . . . it would actually increase sales and reduces cost,” Hudak told reporters at Queen’s Park following the LCBO’s latest numbers on sales and dividend to the province.

The minority Liberal government, which has ruled out selling off the LCBO, has recommended a pilot project to sell beer and wine in 10 supermarkets.

While he has provided few details about what liquor and wine sales would look like under a Progressive Conservative government, Hudak has said he would allow beer and wine sales in corner stores and supermarkets for the first time in Ontario.

“What I hear from people or what I hear from people in the industry or consumers is ‘give me more choice. Treat me like an adult. We’re in the 21st century, we’re not back in the 1950s,’” he said.

“We need to look at all the options.”

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario announced earlier that it experienced record sales for the 18th year in row.

Thirsty Ontarians pushed wine, spirits and beer sales in 2012-13 to $4.892 billion, an increase of 3.9 per cent or $182 million over 2011-12. And as a result the government-owned agency is pumping $1.711 billion into provincial coffers.

In 1985, then Liberal premier David Peterson promised beer and wine in corner stores but could not get the measure passed through the legislature. In 1995, then Tory premier Mike Harris pledged to sell the LCBO before backing off due to the billions in annual proceeds.

Hudak pointed to a quickly shelved 2005 study commissioned by the then McGuinty Liberal government that suggested privatized liquor and wine sales would bring in an additional $200 million a year, “so the proof is in the numbers.”

The LCBO attributes it continuing growth to operations efficiencies as well as 28 new stores (12 new, 16 relocations) last year, which resulted in about $30.5 million in additional sales.

“We’re always looking to make sure that we are running the operation as productively as we can but certainly growth in Ontario wine and craft beer helped as well,” Heather MacGregor, a spokeswoman for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, told the Star Monday.

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MacGregor explained that Ontario wine sales were up 5.4 per cent and Ontario craft beer leads all segments with 33 per cent growth.

“These are things that people want to buy and we’re sensitive to what local communities want to see on their shelves,” she said.

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The LCBO just recently avoided a costly strike by settling with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union at the 11th hour.

LCBO president and CEO Bob Peter said despite a challenging retail economy, LCBO was able to deliver these results by managing expense, careful product and inventory control and executing store network improvements.

According to the LCBO, its 3.9 per cent sales growth in 2012-13 outpaced the Canadian and Ontario retail sectors.

Fine wine and premium sales rose 3.5 per cent or $15 million over the previous year to $434 million.

Other products included:

Spirits sales rose 2.3 per cent to $1.97 billion (imported spirits rose 4.4 per cent).

Wine sales rose 5.2 per cent to $1.75 billion (white up 5.9 per cent, red up 4.1 per cent).

Beer sales rose 3.9 per cent, totalling $923 million.

LCBO gift card sales were up $10.8 million or 20.7 per cent from 2011-12, totalling $62.9 million.

The LCBO also reported that retail staff challenged 7.8 million people who appeared underage, intoxicated or were suspected of purchasing for a minor or already intoxicated person. More than 322,000 were refused service. Eighty-four per cent of refusals were for reasons of age.

Customer charitable donations at LCBO checkouts and employee fundraising raised $6.6 million for worthy causes during 2012, representing a 6 per cent increase over the 2011 total of $6.2 million.