Ask Sid: What’s Up on Wine Interprovincial Free Trade Within Canada?

Answer: There is a target implementation date of May 1, 2026 for reducing internal trade barriers in Canada on wine. No update yet. We are all hopeful some meaningful changes will be made. Today February 4 was a topical webinar by AIDV Canada (Association Internationale Des Juristes Du Droit De La Vigne Et Du Vin – by Canada A National Section of AIDV) on how to achieve Interprovincial “Direct to Consumer” Wine Trade Within Canada. The discussions were led by moderator Mark Hicken with Shea Coulson, Dan Paszkowski, and David Clement plus many insightful questions from the 40 of us participating. Dan was optimistic that direct delivery of wine for personal consumption would be allowed across Canada. He suggested BC, Manitoba, and the new Nova Scotia legislation model are a good starting point. David representing Consumer Choice Centre made valid points on how the consumer doesn’t understand the LDB mark-up system and where prices come from because it is too complicated – needing more transparency. Concerns expressed about Alberta adding a three tier Ad Valoreum Tax on top of what looked like a workable system for BC wineries before that measure.

Second part of the discussions on what would be an ideal LDB system for the future. Sean led an interesting discussion on the possibility of more Federal authority “paramountcy” on alcohol issues constitutionally that would hopefully without litigation as Cooperative Federalism lead to policy agreement among the Provinces. Dan added that Federal “has a carrot & a stick”. Hopefully all this ground roots stimulus will influence the powers to be in finding some better solutions later this year to help both Canadian wineries and wine consumers. Keep posted.