The wine feud between B.C. and Alberta shows no sign of slowing down.
The government of B.C. has announced that is will formally challenge Alberta’s ban on B.C. wines through the Canadian Free Trade Agreement’s (CFTA) dispute settlement process.
"B.C.'s wine industry is an important contributor to our economy, creating good jobs and other economic benefits for people in B.C.," said Brian Ralston, minister of jobs, trade and technology.
"We're standing by our wine producers and the communities that rely on this important industry by launching a formal trade dispute, and we are confident we will be successful."
The province’s challenge of Alberta’s ban on the sale of B.C. wine will be the first formal dispute under the new CFTA.
Ralston says the ban threatens the livelihood of families that have worked to hard to build B.C.’s wine industry.
He calls Alberta’s actions inconsistent with its obligations under the CFTA and promises to protect the reputation and interests of British Columbians.
B.C.'s wine industry employs about 12,000 people, and has an economic impact of $2.8 billion annually on the province.
In addition to this trade challenge, the province has also declared April to be B.C. Wine Month.
