Quebec stalls on interprovincial direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, angering producers and other provinces
Quebec has refused to sign the nationwide agreement that would allow alcohol producers to sell directly to consumers in other provinces, leaving local makers at a competitive disadvantage.
Quebec declined to sign the operating agreement that nine other provinces have already adopted to permit direct-to-consumer interprovincial sales of beer, wine and spirits. Premier Christine Fréchette cited the need to amend provincial legislation, a step she expects to take after the October 5 election when the legislature reconvenes. Producers like Paul Cirka of CIRKA Distilleries and Matthieu Beauchemin of the Quebec Wine Council say the hold-up prevents them from building client bases outside the province and could hand competitors a lasting lead.
Federal internal-trade minister Dominic LeBlanc publicly pressed the remaining province to join, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government voiced growing irritation. Quebec officials point to an upcoming omnibus bill that will modernize alcohol laws, but critics note the province’s reliance on the SAQ monopoly makes reform politically sensitive.
Why it matters
Quebec's delay hampers market access for local alcohol makers and slows national trade integration.
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