The governments of B.C. and Alberta have struck an agreement that will allow wineries to sell directly to customers in each other’ provinces.
As BIV wrote in May, Canada tends to have more free trade with the U.S. than it does with itself, thanks to interprovincial trade barriers.
Among those barriers are restrictions on B.C. wineries selling wine online directly to Canadians in other provinces.
“It’s more difficult for me to get my wines into Ontario than it is into London, England,” said John Skinner, owner at Painted Rock Estate Winery.
But B.C. wineries will now at least be able to sell directly to Albertans.
Alberta and B.C. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will make it easier for Albertans to buy wine from B.C., and vice versa, while ensuring that B.C. wineries pay “their fair share of fees from liquor sales in Alberta,” according to a Government of Alberta news release.
“B.C. residents will also be able to directly order Alberta wine, supporting the growth of Alberta’s fledgling wine industry.”
All direct wine shipments to Alberta had been stopped while the two provinces wrangled over tax issues.
“During those discussions, all direct wine shipments were stopped,” the Alberta government said in its news release. “As those issues have now been addressed, Albertans are once again able to order wine directly to their doorstep from their preferred suppliers.”
“I’m pleased that wine will once again flow to Albertans doors,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said. “I appreciate the collaboration between our governments, which is set to continue through our agreement and joint working group.”
