Latest news with #SLGA
CBC
24-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Sask. walks back ban on American-branded beer made in Canada
Saskatchewan has reversed a decision to stop selling or distributing American-branded alcohol products made in Canada, after industry backlash. In wake of U.S. tariffs, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) said it notified beverage alcohol retailers, distributors and producers that American-branded products wouldn't be sold or distributed in the province. The SLGA originally released a list of 54 American alcohol brands, including Bud Light, Blue Moon, Busch, Kirkland Wine and others. Industry leaders like Jim Bence, the president and CEO of Hospitality Saskatchewan, argued many of the American beer brands that have headquarters in the U.S. are still brewed in Canada. Labatt Breweries of Canada says it employs about 3,500 people in the country and brews brands like Bud Light, Busch and Budweiser in Canada. Beer Canada also called on the province to reverse its decision. "Beer Canada is calling on Premier Moe's government to immediately reverse this heavy-handed market intervention, which inappropriately targets leading Canadian beer brands brewed in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec that are most often made from Saskatchewan and other Western Canadian-grown barley," a news release from the organization stated. On Monday, the government walked back its decision. It said in a statement that the move aligned with other provinces and that it would focus on alcohol produced in the U.S. "We have spent a lot of time speaking with stakeholders within the industry such as Hospitality Saskatchewan, speaking with the public, talking to some of our local distributors," Alana Ross, the minister responsible for SLGA, said on Monday. "We weren't really in line with what the other provinces were doing, so we took it back." The province said the sale and distribution of the 54 Canadian-produced American brands will resume. Bence said he appreciated the government's willingness to take feedback on the issue. "We applaud their ability to be able to [reverse the decision] and their willingness to look at information and roll back some of the pieces that they had implemented last week," Bence said. CBC has requested a list of American-made beers the province will now focus on.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Saskatchewan backtracks on complete ban of U.S.-branded alcohol
The Saskatchewan government says the sale of some U.S.-branded alcohol will resume in light of concerns that the products are produced in Canada. 'As a result, Saskatchewan is realigning its approach to be consistent with other provinces by focusing on US-produced alcohol,' the province said in a statement issued Monday. Earlier this month, Premier Scott Moe announced the province's response to U.S. President Donald Trump's 25-per-cent tariffs on all Canadian goods, which came into effect on March 4. It included a directive for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to stop purchasing U.S. alcohol. The directive remained in place even after Trump announced a pause on exports covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on March 6. The 54 U.S.-brands include: Arizona Hard Iced Tea, Blue Moon, Bud Light, Bud Light Chelada, Bud Light Lime, Bud Light Seltzer, Budweiser, Budweiser Non-Alc, Busch, Busch Ice, Busch Light, Coors Edge, Coors Light, Coors Organic, Coors Original, Coors Seltzer, Coors Slice, Cutwater, Fat Tire, Goose Island, Happy Dad Hard Seltzer, High Noon, Jack Daniel's Punch, Keystone Light, Kirkland Liqueur, Kirkland Spirits, Kirkland Wine, Lake Life Vodka Soda, Lone River Hard Seltzer, Michelob Ultra, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller High Life, Miller Lite, Mott's Clamato, Natty Light, Old Milwaukee, Olympia, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pabst Hard Iced Tea, Rainier, Rockstar & Vodka, Rolling Rock, Shock Top, Simply Hard Seltzer, Simply Spiked Lemonade, Snapple, Southern Comfort, Tallgrass, Truly Hard Seltzer, Truly Iced Tea, Twisted Shotz, Twisted Tea, Vizzy and White Claw. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says retaliatory measures still active despite partial U.S. tariff pause Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announces provincial response to Trump's tariffs The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Changes to Saskatchewan fees impact EV drivers, cottage owners, beverage shoppers and more
Weather and road conditions are subject to change this time of year, as are various fees and charges imposed by the Saskatchewan government. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, there will be changes to the cost of things like non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages — wine in particular — and increased fees for electric vehicles. Annual adjustments to fees and charges are announced ahead of the provincial budget, which is set to be delivered on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 19. 'On budget day, there is an abundance of information regarding new projects and initiatives, fiscal management for the next year and what government ministries and agencies are planning for the upcoming fiscal year,' a spokesperson from the Ministry of Finance said in an emailed statement on Friday. 'The fees and charges may be overlooked by other announcements on budget day, so announcing them early ensures the public is aware of changes that may impact them.' For electric vehicles (EVs), the province announced it will increase the 'Road Use Charge' — an annual fee placed on each electric passenger vehicle registered in Saskatchewan — from $150 to $300 per year. 'All revenue collected (will be) dedicated to provincial highway maintenance,' said the province in a press release. The province explained that the fee is in place because EVs 'contribute to wear and tear on provincial roadways but … they do not contribute to highway maintenance through the provincial fuel tax.' The fee was introduced in the 2021-22 provincial budget and will increase this year on June 1. Here are some other increases for 2025-26: — Starting Oct. 1, the Ministry of Environment will charge a $1,000 flat fee 'for new hazardous substance and waste dangerous goods construction permits.' The ministry permits and tracks where hazardous materials are stored. This change is expected to bring in $41,500 for 2025-26, and $83,000 a year going forward. — The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) applies markups to wholesale liquor — wines with alcohol content beyond 14.5 per cent garner a higher markup. Starting June 1, SLGA will apply a single fee to 'all wines up to 16 per cent ABV (alcohol by volume).' The province expects this will save retailers $226,000 in 2025-26. — For non-alcoholic beverages, markups are also applied based on the product. On April 1, there will be one flat fee for all non-alcoholic beverages distributed by SLGA, resulting in an anticipated cost decrease across the board. — The province will increase the maximum penalties SLGA can slap on violators of the The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act, 1997 — from $10,000 to $25,000. — Lastly, there's an increase to fees at provincial parks for cottage owners. On April 1, there will be an increase for the 'administration of leases, the issuance of building permits and for structures on shorelines.' The province anticipates the changes will bring in $162,000 for 2025-26. alsalloum@ The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
CBC
06-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Saskatchewan premier says no more American alcohol in response to U.S. tariffs
Social Sharing Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has announced the province's response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, including a moratorium on American booze and efforts to minimize U.S. materials in infrastructure projects. Moe made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday, after criticism from the province's Opposition NDP that he was lagging behind other premiers in responding to the tariffs. Moe said the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), the main distributor of alcohol and sole licensing agent for the province's liquor stores, bars and restaurants, will stop buying U.S.-made alcohol and stop selling its existing stock to retailers. He said private businesses will still be allowed to sell their remaining American inventory. He also said future government capital projects have been paused temporarily in an effort to minimize or eliminate their use of American materials. "The goods and services that are procured by the Government of Saskatchewan ministries, as well as the Crown corporations, are going to make every effort to prioritize Canadian suppliers," he said. On Tuesday, Trump implemented 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian oil and other energy exports headed to the U.S., and 25 per cent tariffs on all other products. Moe said Saskatchewan's response is appropriate given the current political climate. "Saskatchewan is one of the most diversified provinces and least dependent on the United States of America for our exports," Moe said. "That being said, they are our largest trading partner, our largest ally, and it's important for all of us to remember that as we go through what is admittedly a very challenging conversation with the president and his administration. "We will find a way through it." In response to the announcement, NDP Leader Carla Beck criticized Moe for how long it took him to make the announcement. "The fact that he is the very last premier in this country to have come out and spoken to the people of his province has not gone unnoticed," Beck said. "This is weak leadership." Beck stressed the importance of a united front to defend Saskatchewan's industries. "We will continue to extend our willingness to Scott Moe and the Sask Party to be partners in navigating this difficult time, but you gotta get your elbows up," Beck said. Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump over the phone about lifting the tariffs. The conversation ended with both leaders agreeing to continue dialogue, though no concrete solution was reached. Trump did announce a one-month tariff exemption for automakers. Meanwhile, Canada has implemented 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion of goods coming in from the U.S., with plans another $125 billion to kick in later this month. Moe suppoerted the federal government's approach Wednesday. The Prime Minister's Office says that the counter tariffs will remain in place until the American tariffs are lifted. WATCH | Sask. strikes back: Province to stop purchasing U.S.-produced alcohol: Sask. strikes back: Province to stop purchasing U.S.-produced alcohol 2 hours ago Duration 3:33 Saskatchewan responded to U.S. tariffs with changes to distribution of American-made alcohol and capital projects. Premier Scott Moe said the province also supports the targeted retaliatory tariffs announced by the federal government this week.
