British Columbia's new interprovincial trade agreement with Ontario and Quebec will cut red tape for B.C. wineries and increase market access for the world renowned wines produced throughout the province.
Building on previous agreements with Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, this new partnership will make it easier for customers in Canada's two largest provinces to enjoy B.C. wine, while increasing consumer awareness of made-in-B.C. products across the country. These new export opportunities will support the growth of British Columbia's burgeoning wine industry, producers now have an opportunity to list their products with distributors in all three provinces.
"Each wine region across our country has something unique to offer consumers who are looking for a diversity of choices and easy access to the products we work so hard to create," said Ezra Cipes, director of the BC Wine Institute and CEO of Summerhill Pyramid Winery.
"This change is a step in the right direction for Canadian wine lovers to discover the beauty and diversity of Canadian wines."
Modernizing liquor laws and increasing the flow of wine between Canadian provinces, will support the employment opportunities, growth and expansion of B.C.'s wine industry, which has a significant economic, tourism, and cultural impact throughout the province.
"This agreement is a step forward in modernizing B.C. liquor laws and expanding market opportunities for B.C.'s wine industry," said John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform
"We are very proud of the high quality wines produced in our regions and want to make sure that people across Canada have the opportunity to discover what B.C. has to offer.
The B.C. wine industry's $2-billion economic impact is a significant driver of our economy. More than 10,000 people in British Columbia have jobs as a result of this industry.