9 premiers agree to lift interprovincial trade barriers on alcohol products

Canadian premiers have reached a significant agreement to dismantle interprovincial trade barriers for alcohol products, a move designed to boost domestic producers. Nine premiers announced Tuesday they are updating rules to enable more Canadian brewers and distillers to sell their products directly to consumers across provincial borders.

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We need a plan from the prime minister… If these (CUSMA) talks fail in 29 days we need to hit them back as hard as we can. I’m tired of the bully trying to take our lunch money, we need to stand up to the bully and hit them tariff-for-tariff… We have to go full tilt.

This initiative addresses long-standing hurdles that have made it difficult or costly for manufacturers to sell alcohol outside their home provinces. While some provinces like New Brunswick and Manitoba have already implemented similar measures for specific alcohol types, this new deal represents a broader commitment. The provinces and the Yukon had previously signed a memorandum of understanding last year, aiming to open borders for direct-to-consumer sales by May 2026. Quebec and the Yukon are expected to sign on soon, with British Columbia planning to implement direct sales by February 2027.

The agreement to facilitate direct-to-consumer sales is part of a larger, ongoing effort to reduce interprovincial trade barriers throughout Canada. The timing of this announcement is notable, coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump's recent threat to impose substantial tariffs, potentially up to 50 percent, on most Canadian imports. This tariff threat stems from what the U.S. describes as retaliatory and discriminatory measures taken by Canada in response to previous U.S. tariffs.

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We are an energy powerhouse and we can dismantle the U.S. if we wanted to.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed strong sentiments regarding the U.S. tariff threats, calling for a firm response from the prime minister. "We need a plan from the prime minister… If these (CUSMA) talks fail in 29 days we need to hit them back as hard as we can. I’m tired of the bully trying to take our lunch money, we need to stand up to the bully and hit them tariff-for-tariff… We have to go full tilt," Ford stated. He added, "We are an energy powerhouse and we can dismantle the U.S. if we wanted to."

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the idea of the president that he can bully us into whatever he wishes is incorrect.

B.C. Premier David Eby also addressed the situation, asserting that the idea of the U.S. president bullying Canada into compliance is incorrect. "There is not a chance in hell that U.S. alcohol is going back on the shelf in British Columbia," Eby declared, emphasizing his province's stance against such pressure.

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There is not a chance in hell that U.S. alcohol is going back on the shelf in British Columbia.