Provinces finally crack open interprovincial alcohol sales
· Toronto Sun
See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source
OTTAWA — In light of ongoing trade aggression from the Donald Trump White House, premiers have agreed to break down one of Canada’s more baffling interprovincial trade barriers.
Visit sportbet.rodeo for more information.
During this week’s Council of the Federation meeting in Charlottetown, an initiative co-led by Ontario and Saskatchewan to break down long-standing legal restrictions preventing interprovincial trade of alcoholic beverages was signed by seven other provinces , opening the path for Canada’s craft brewers, distilleries and wineries to sell their products across the country.
The deal was signed by all provinces except for Quebec, which, alongside Yukon, will opt in once local infrastructure is finalized.
Nunavut and the Northwest Territories opted out of the deal, citing regional liquor control issues and regulations.
Once the agreement is in place, with a full rollout expected next February, Canadians will be able to order beer, wine, spirits and cider directly from licenced producers and have products delivered to their door.
Details about how that will work have yet to be determined.
Opposition called for change
Opposition politicians and Canada’s business industry have been calling for this change in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war against Canada, which saw provinces pull American liquor off store shelves in retaliation for the White House’s punitive and unjustified trade tariffs.
Among those raising a glass to the decision is the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), which issued a statement praising the move.
“Canada’s independent wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries have waited a long time to see direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping finally become a reality,” read a statement from CFIB president Dan Kelly.
“Allowing small producers to ship directly to consumers across provincial borders will help them reach new customers, grow their businesses, and give Canadians access to greater choice.”
Kelly called the move a “practical step” toward breaking down unnecessary interprovincial trade barriers, sending a clear signal that governments are committed to strengthening Canada’s internal market.
Interprovincial trade barriers date back to a 1928 law restricting the importation of liquor, legislation that was upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada in their 2018 R. v. Comeau decision .
[email protected]
X: @bryanpassifiume