A few minutes on television isn’t enough to explain what this agreement really means.

This morning I had the opportunity to speak with CBC News about Canada’s new interprovincial alcohol agreement and what it means for Canadian wineries, consumers and the future of internal trade.

Like many Canadians, I was encouraged when Canada’s premiers announced they had reached an agreement.

After fourteen years of discussion, two House of Commons petitions, two private members’ bills and repeated commitments from governments across the country, it sounded like Canada had finally created one national market for Canadian wine.

Then I read the Operating Agreement.

While it removes one barrier by permitting direct-to-consumer shipments between participating provinces, it also preserves the ability of provinces to impose liquor board markups, registration requirements, fees, reporting obligations and other administrative requirements.

Those details matter.

In many ways, they will determine whether this agreement becomes meaningful free trade or simply a different way of managing provincial barriers.

Watch the CBC Interview

I appreciated CBC News taking the time to cover this important issue.

Watch on CBC.ca

Why This Matters

The timing could not be more important.

The United States has recently imposed a 50% tariff on Canadian wine, making one of Canada’s most important export markets dramatically more difficult for wineries across the country.

If there was ever a moment to fully open Canada’s domestic market, this was it.

Instead, the agreement leaves many of the most important economic questions unanswered.

• What liquor board markups will provinces charge?
• Will producers have to register separately in every province?
• Will annual fees be imposed?
• What reporting requirements will exist?
• Will Canadian products receive fair access to consumers without unnecessary bureaucracy?

Those answers will determine whether this agreement truly helps Canadian producers and consumers.

Why British Columbia Could Actually Move Backwards

One aspect of the agreement deserves particular attention.

British Columbia already permitted Canadian wineries to ship directly to BC consumers.

The new Operating Agreement does not protect that existing access.

Instead, it expressly preserves the ability of provinces to impose liquor board markups, registration requirements and other charges.

In other words, a system that already existed could become more expensive for both producers and consumers.

That should concern everyone who believes buying Canadian should be easier, not harder.

What I’d Like to See

Canadian wineries are not asking governments for subsidies.

We are not asking for protection from competition.

We are asking for the opportunity to compete fairly within our own country.

I believe the next step should be straightforward.

• Licensed Canadian producers should be able to sell directly to Canadian consumers anywhere in Canada.
• Age verification should remain mandatory.
• Applicable GST, HST or PST should be collected and remitted.
• If a provincial liquor board does not purchase, warehouse, market, distribute or deliver the product, it should not collect a liquor board markup.
• Canadian-made wine, beer, cider and spirits should also receive fair access through provincial liquor stores, private retailers, grocery stores and hospitality businesses wherever those channels already exist.

That would create one Canadian market while allowing provinces to continue collecting the taxes they are entitled to receive.

What Happens Next?

The Operating Agreement is now signed.

The real work begins with implementation.

Each participating province must now decide:

• what registrations will be required;
• what fees will apply;
• what liquor board markups will be charged;
• how producers will report sales; and
• when these new systems will come into effect.

Those decisions will determine whether this agreement becomes genuine internal trade reform or simply a new administrative framework.

I will continue following those developments and updating this Journal as more information becomes available.

About Lightning Rock Winery

Lightning Rock Winery is a family-owned winery in Summerland, British Columbia, producing premium sparkling and still wines from estate vineyards in the Okanagan Valley.

Beyond producing wine, we believe in supporting Canadian agriculture, rural communities and a stronger Canadian economy.

Our goal is simple:

One Country. One Canadian Market.

Canadian products should never be treated as foreign products simply because they cross a provincial border.