Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked provinces to return U.S. alcohol to store shelves, according to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.
Premiers met virtually with Carney on Wednesday as Canadian and U.S. officials worked to finalize details of a trade deal.
“The prime minister has asked us as provinces to return the U.S. alcohol to the shelves,” said Houston. “Of course, it’s pending a final deal that is representative of the types of things we’re hearing today.”
Several provincial liquor boards stopped buying U.S. beer, wine and spirits last year in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and comments about annexing Canada as the “51st state.” Alberta and Saskatchewan subsequently lifted their restrictions, while B.C. has maintained its ban.
The booze ban had become a point of contention in Canada-U.S. trade talks. The Trump administration cited provincial bans on U.S. alcohol as one reason for its July decision to impose additional 50 per cent tariffs on a broad range of Canadian goods.
The tariffs were scheduled to take effect Wednesday, but Trump announced Tuesday that implementation would be paused for three days while the two countries worked toward a trade agreement.
B.C. Premier David Eby has previously rejected calls to return U.S. alcohol to B.C. shelves, saying the measure represents leverage in trade negotiations. In July, Eby said there was “no desire” among provinces and territories that had removed U.S. alcohol to put it back on shelves.
Eby also said B.C. remains hopeful about reaching an agreement with the United States.
“B.C. stands with Team Canada. While no agreement will offer everything our country is hoping for, the federal government has made substantial progress across strategic sectors,” he said.
“Agreement or not, we will not go back to the way things were before. We will continue to push forward our work to find new trading partners and secure major projects to build a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits everyone,” said Eby.
A readout from the Prime Minister’s Office said Carney “underscored the importance of a strong Team Canada approach, emphasising continued collaboration with provincial and territorial governments as the federal government works to finalise a deal with the United States.”
