BC Wine Institute to legally challenge Alberta’s ban on our wine

KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) – An organization that represents BC’s wine industry is wading into the ongoing trade war between our province and Alberta, with plans to legally challenge the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission’s ban on wine produced in this province.

BC Wine Institute CEO and President Miles Prodan says while the group is grateful for steps the BC government has been taking, it needs to see action right away.

“The BC government has been helpful and we’re grateful for their continued efforts in resolving the unfair ban,” Prodan admits. “But clearly we felt that we’ve got to step in ourselves.”

The province has so far taken two steps to help the wine industry, including declaring April BC wine month and formally challenging the ban by requesting consultations under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement’s dispute settlement process.

However, Prodan says the latter will take a long time to see any results. “We did a survey [to member wineries] last week and it’s just been over two week, it was February 6th that the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission implemented their ban. In that time there’s wineries that have collectively lost over a million dollars, and those wineries are also estimating within a month it could be as much as $4 million.”

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It’s been just more than two weeks since Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced a ban on wine produced in BC.

“The overall market for us in Alberta is estimated to be about $70 million, so it’s immediate,” Prodan says. “Action needed to happen and again, reluctantly we’re doing so and hopefully we can get some resolution to this.”

While the ban is having impacts on local wineries and their bottom line, Prodan adds it highlights the importance of free interprovincial trade. “And we believe it’s unconstitutional to prohibit the import of a Canadian good into another province just because of where it’s come from. All Canadians really, we feel, should be concerned because if wine’s prohibited based on where it comes from so can any other product into any other province. So it’s a big issue, and it needs to be resolved.”

According to the BCWI, this whole situation could have been avoided had wineries had the ability to sell their product to customers directly across the country. “We need to sort it out as soon as and quickly as possible.”

Prodan says it’s unfortunate BC’s wine industry has been caught up in a dispute that has nothing to do with the industry. “And again, we regret having to take the legal action but it’s just important that we step up and not stand by and let our small family farmers and winemakers suffer as they are and as they inevitably will be.”

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