Alberta government walks back beer tax hike citing tariffs, need to support business
EDMONTON – Alberta's government has ditched a new fee schedule for breweries that would have seen the province's oldest beer maker pay significantly more in taxes.
The schedule was introduced in February and it substantially lowered the production threshold breweries needed to hit before they had to pay higher fees to the government.
Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said at the time that the fee hike was supposed to protect small breweries and that '99 per cent' of companies wouldn't pay more.
Calgary-based Big Rock Brewery didn't fall under the 99 per cent, and the company calculated it was going to pay $1.4 million more every year.
Nally's office says the government decided to lower the fees in light of U.S. tariffs and to ensure small breweries are supported as they grow.
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The province replaced the fee system as of June 1 in favour of a schedule of more gradual increases.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.
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