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Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Alberta gives U.S. liquor imports thumbs-up
Stores in Alberta can now sell newer American liquor products after a provincial agency ended a three-month pause ignited by a tariff dispute between Canada and the U.S. Article content The directive came from the province as Canada shifts its approach from retaliating to negotiating with its southern neighbour on economic policies. Article content Article content Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally, in a statement on Friday night, said the government's decision heralds a 'renewed commitment to open and fair trade with our largest partner.' Article content Article content 'The decision sets the stage for more constructive negotiations ahead of a Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement renewal, potentially leading to increased trade opportunities and economic growth for Alberta,' Nally added. Article content Article content The decision concerns liquor products registered with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis agency (AGLC) and declared to the Canada Border Services Agency. A 25 per cent surtax will continue to be levied on those items shipped from the U.S. after March 4 and will be collected by the provincial agency. Article content Article content Ravinder Singh, a manager at ACE Liquor Discounters Edmonton Trail, said the decision likely won't affect the store's sales, as the shop's inventory still holds enough stock of older American products. Article content The move to ban the sale of American liquor was made in early March amid escalating trade tensions. Article content Article content 'If the Americans aren't going to buy products from our Canadian companies, we have to,' Premier Danielle Smith said at the time. Article content 'That means we should be buying more Canadian beer, more Canadian spirits and more Canadian wine. And so that's the reality of what we're facing.' Article content The ban was lifted March 18, but the sales were confined to AGLC's central locations. Article content Singh said the demand for American products dropped after March owing to a wave of patriotism across the country. Whereas the store sold them daily, the products are now being bought twice or thrice a week, even three months after the pause.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alberta resumes buying U.S. alcohol, months after pause meant to fight tariffs
EDMONTON — Alberta is buying American alcohol and gambling machines again, three months after Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions aimed at fighting back against U.S. tariffs. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Friday that the move signals a "renewed commitment to open and fair trade" with the United States. Smith said in March that the province would no longer buy U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals, or sign contracts with American companies. Alberta's liquor stores are privately owned but must order stock through the provincial government. That came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped heavy tariffs on Canadian goods and energy. Other premiers also announced bans on U.S. liquor along with other proposed penalties. Nally said in a statement that the decision to resume buying U.S. alcohol and gambling machines "sets the stage for more constructive negotiations" ahead of a renewal of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. The agreement, known as CUSMA, was negotiated during the first Trump administration and is up for a mandatory review in 2026. "Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a clear effort to reset the relationship with the U.S. administration, and Alberta's government supports this approach," Nally said. "We are focused on highlighting Alberta's role as a responsible and collaborative trading partner and will continue working alongside other provinces to advocate for a tariff-free relationship." The minister said Albertans are encouraged to continue supporting local producers, even as more U.S. options return to store shelves. In April, the province paused its policy around procurement from U.S. companies in what Nally called "the spirit of diplomacy." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Alberta resumes buying U.S. alcohol and gambling machines, months after pause meant to fight tariffs
Alberta is buying American alcohol and gambling machines again, three months after Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions aimed at fighting back against U.S. tariffs. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally says the move signals a 'renewed commitment to open and fair trade' with the United States. Smith said in March that the province would no longer buy U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals, or sign contracts with American companies. That came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped heavy tariffs on Canadian goods and energy. Nally says the decision to resume buying U.S. alcohol and gambling machines 'sets the stage for more constructive negotiations' ahead of a renewal of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. Ontario, Manitoba reach internal trade agreement, promise alcohol sales deal by end of June The minister says Albertans are encouraged to continue supporting local producers, even as more U.S. options return to store shelves. Nally said in April that the province was pausing its policy around procurement from U.S. companies 'in the spirit of diplomacy.' He said since the province's retaliatory measures were first announced in early March, the Trump administration had put a hold on further tariffs.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Alberta scraps beer tax hike, citing Trump's tariffs and desire to support Canadian business
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, introduced in February after Alberta tabled its budget, substantially lowered the production threshold breweries needed to meet before they paid the highest fee to the government, while also adjusting the production limits and fees building up to the cap. Before the change, breweries were able to produce 400,000 hectolitres – or 40-million litres – before they paid $1.25 per litre, which is the cap. The schedule in February lowered that threshold to 18-million litres. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said at the time the lower limit would even the playing field for small breweries and that '99 per cent' of companies wouldn't pay more. Calgary-based Big Rock Brewery, Alberta's oldest and biggest craft beer producer, was one of the few that didn't fall under the 99 per cent. The company calculated it was going to pay about $1.4-million more to the government in fees every year. In a statement Thursday, Nally's office said the government has abandoned the new fee schedule and installed again a higher production threshold and more gradual fee increases beneath it. 'In light of the impacts of U.S. tariffs, continued trade uncertainty and the importance of working collectively as a country to support Canadian businesses, additional adjustments to the small brewer markup rates are needed,' said Nally's press secretary Brandon Aboultaif. 'We are increasing the threshold to qualify for reduced markup rates and making the transition to the standard markup rate more gradual as small brewers continue to grow their businesses.' Aboultaif didn't answer questions about whether the change was made in light of the disproportionate impact the schedule was having on Big Rock or if the system wasn't protecting small brewers as Nally had said it would. As of June 1, the production limit has been raised to 30-million litres, and Aboultaif said the fee ladder is more gradual. This means the vast majority of Alberta breweries won't pay as much per litre of beer they make. Brad Goddard, vice-president of business development and government relations for Big Rock, lauded the reversal. He said it came after productive conversations that Big Rock had with Nally, the provincial liquor regulator and other government ministers. Goddard added the change couldn't have come at a better time. 'Every week of summertime beer sales – this makes our year,' said Goddard. He explained companies pay the fees as they produce, so when Big Rock and others kick-start production for summer, they'll be paying the lower rate. Goddard said it's also a timing win, because this week U.S. President Donald Trump hiked tariffs on aluminum to 50 per cent from 25 per cent. 'The Alberta government took a step that will help us navigate those challenging tariff waters, and for that I'm very grateful,' he said, adding aluminum cans are one of Big Rock's biggest input costs. 'This reduction in the markup will help us manage that at a really key time.' Even though the outgoing fee schedule was in place for three months, Goddard said the company paid roughly $400,000 more in provincial taxes than it would have before. He said the company isn't dwelling on the hit, as the government's reversal is 'largely a restoration of some of the previous opportunity.' Beer Canada, which represents breweries of all sizes, had celebrated the February schedule, describing it at the time as a step toward equity for 'truly smaller scale craft brewers' in Alberta. The agency's five board of directors are all executives for some of the largest beer companies in the country, including the president of Molson Coors Canada. Beer Canada's vice-president of strategic communications, Karine Cousineau, said in an e-mail the group understands Alberta's reasoning for a reversal but it still wants to see the province implement 'permanent broad-based beer tax relief for all Canadian brewers, our hospitality partners and Alberta beer consumers.' The executive director of the Alberta Small Brewers Association, Blair Berdusco, said the group is more than happy to see the turnaround. '(It) definitely improves the future outlook for the industry and potential for how breweries can continue their brands going forward.' Berdusco said the 30-million-litre threshold is a win for the industry compared to what was in place, especially since the association and other craft brewery groups across Canada are pushing for all provinces to follow Saskatchewan in having a 50-million-litre limit. 'It's great to see that (Nally) took a look at what's going on and has recognized the value in trying to make things more equal and more alike across provincial lines,' Berdusco said.
Global News
4 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Alberta ditches beer tax hike citing tariffs, need to support local businesses
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Alberta's government has ditched a new fee schedule for local 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. Get weekly money news Get expert insights, Q&A on markets, housing, inflation, and personal finance information delivered to you every Saturday. Sign up for weekly money newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Calgary-based Big Rock Brewery, founded in 1985, didn't fall under the 99 per cent, and the company calculated it was going to pay $1.4 million more every year. 1:57 Alberta craft beer producers try to get ahead of U.S. tariffs 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. Story continues below advertisement The province replaced the fee system as of June 1 in favour of a schedule of more gradual increases. — More to come…
