British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall agreed today to offer consumers in both provinces greater choice and convenient access to locally produced wine and craft spirits.

The agreement will lift barriers to consumers and enables free trade, benefiting consumers and strengthening the Canadian wine and craft distillers industries.

Once implemented, consumers in both provinces will be able to order B.C. or Saskatchewan wines and craft spirits directly from producers, and have them delivered to their doorstep. 

“British Columbia is leading the way in modernizing liquor laws to offer people more convenience and to strengthen our industry to create jobs," said Premier Clark. “This commitment with Saskatchewan is a great next step that builds momentum for free trade with other provinces.”
 
“When we ask other provinces for freer trade in Canada, we better be prepared to do it ourselves,” Premier Brad Wall said. “We are committed to removing inter-provincial trade barriers that hinder consumers, producers and a growing economy.”

Previously, consumers were restricted to wines or spirits that were available for sale through Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority stores in Saskatchewan, and BC Liquor Distribution Branch and private liquor stores in British Columbia. The agreement will enable consumers to access a much broader selection of wines and craft spirits than previously available, and opens up new markets for wineries and distilleries looking to grow their business.

Saskatchewan joins B.C. and Manitoba in offering direct access to Canadian wines, and is an example of the growing consensus toward liberalizing internal trade.

Since March 2013, B.C. has worked extensively with other provincial and territorial officials on looking at ways to open up domestic markets for B.C. wines. The terms of the agreement will be drafted in the coming weeks for implementation June 17, 2015.

“With more than 275 B.C. wineries and a growing selection of craft distillers to choose from, I am excited that Saskatchewan residents will soon be able to place their order and raise their glass to enjoy more of what our province has to offer,” said B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick.

“B.C.’s wine industry has earned a strong reputation internationally for quality and value, and thanks to this agreement, more people right here in Canada will be able to enjoy the high-quality BC VQA wines grown and produced in B.C.,” said Miles Prodan, president and CEO of the BC Wine Institute.

“We’re pleased to see that B.C. and Saskatchewan have committed to removing barriers to access for consumers to Canadian products,” said Tyler Dyck of the BC Craft Distillers Guild. “Access to new markets is important as we look to build on the strength of our growing industry.”

“As a Saskatchewan distillery, this sounds like a positive step for both producers and consumers. We have a loyal following in Saskatchewan and cannot wait to share our award winning spirits with consumers in British Columbia,” said Colin Schmidt of the Last Mountain Lake Distillery in Lumsden. “We hope to continue to see this kind of progress for the craft alcohol industry as it continues to grow.”

The Premiers have agreed to continue discussing options to liberalize trade in craft beer.

Media Contacts:

Ben Chin
Communications and Issues Management
Office of the Premier of British Columbia
250 588-3113
ben.chin@gov.bc.ca

Jason Macnaughton
Communications Director
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
250 508-2947