Minister Rich Coleman announced that British Columbians can now order their wine of choice from a recognized winery that produces 100 per cent Canadian wine in another province and have it shipped directly to them.

"British Columbia is prepared to take the lead on opening up the Canadian marketplace for our world-renowned B.C. wineries," said Coleman, Minister responsible for liquor. "Today, we encourage other jurisdictions to take immediate steps to reciprocate by opening up their borders and allow all Canadians to order wine over the Internet."

Wine directly shipped from a winery in another Canadian jurisdiction to B.C. residents will be exempt from provincial mark-ups. To be eligible for direct shipping the wine ingredients must be 100-per-cent grown and produced in the province it is being shipped from, and the wine must be for personal consumption only. There is no limit on the number of bottles that can be shipped, provided they are for personal consumption.

"The BC Wine Institute is grateful the B.C. government is supporting consumers and the wine industry by taking a leadership role and taking steps towards improving the sale of local agricultural products across Canada," said Josie Tyabji, chairman of the BC Wine Institute. "This government clearly understands the advantages to consumers and the economic benefits to smaller wineries that do not always have products widely available outside their winery."

"This is another important step towards creating a more open marketplace for British Columbia's wine industry," said Coleman. "B.C. produces world-renowned wines and we want residents in all provinces to enjoy them."

These changes build on the B.C. government's commitment to modernize liquor laws.

Media contact:

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617