British Columbia’s new interprovincial trade agreement with Ontario and Quebec will cut red tape for B.C. wineries and increase market access for the world renowned wines produced throughout the province.

Building on the success of previous agreements with Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, this new partnership will make it easier for customers in Canada’s two largest provinces to enjoy B.C. wine, while increasing consumer awareness of made-in-B.C. products across the country. These new export opportunities will support the growth of British Columbia’s burgeoning wine industry, producers now have an opportunity to list their products with distributors in all three provinces.   

Modernizing liquor laws and increasing the flow of wine between Canadian provinces, will support the employment opportunities, growth and expansion of B.C.’s wine industry, which has a significant economic, tourism, and cultural impact throught the province.

Quotes:

Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture –
“This agreement presents more opportunities for B.C. businesses to grow and prosper while developing quality wines that are representing B.C. internationally, and now across Canada.”

John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform –

“This agreement is a step forward in modernizing B.C. liquor laws and expanding market opportunities for B.C.’s wine industry. We are very proud of the high quality wines produced in our regions and want to make sure that people across Canada have the opportunity to discover what B.C. has to offer.”

Miles Prodan, president and CEO of the British Columbia Wine Institute –
“We strongly believe in the free trade of Canadian wine and this is a great common-sense change that will positively impact wine producers from all three provinces.  We look forward to helping consumers across Canada discover the 100% B.C.-made BCVQA wine products that our producers have been perfecting for generations.”

Ezra Cipes, director of the BC Wine Institute and CEO of Summerhill Pyramid Winery –

“Each wine region across our country has something unique to offer consumers who are looking for a diversity of choices and easy access to the products we work so hard to create. This change is a step in the right direction for Canadian wine lovers to discover the beauty and diversity of Canadian wines."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the number of wineries in British Columbia has grown from around 70 wineries to over 320 now.
• According to the BC Wine Institute:
  • The B.C. wine industry’s $2-billion economic impact is a significant driver of our economy.
  • More than 10,000 people in British Columbia have jobs as a result of this industry.
  • B.C. wineries welcome over 1.5 million visitors a year, which generates over $476 million in tourism-related economic impact.
  • B.C. welcomes more visitors every year through the wine economy than the province drew for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
  • Every bottle of wine produced in B.C. generates $42 in economic impact.
• B.C. wines are entering competitions around the world each year and achieve amazing success.
• The BC Wine Institute expects B.C. wineries to enter close to 1,000 wines in the international competitions and hundreds more in B.C. and Canadian competitions.
• Last year resulted in over 2,000 top finishes for B.C. wines in prestigious industry competitions.