Ottawa has agreed to break down one of Canada's more baffling interprovincial trade barriers in light of ongoing trade aggression from the White House. 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.
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 licensed producers and have products delivered to their door. Details about how that will work have yet to be determined.
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. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has praised the move, stating that it will help small producers reach new customers, grow their businesses, and give Canadians access to greater choice.
Interprovincial trade barriers date back to a 1928 law restricting the importation of liquor, which was upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada in their 2018 decision. The new agreement is seen as a practical step toward breaking down unnecessary interprovincial trade barriers and strengthening Canada's internal market.
