CFIB statement on MOU signed between Alberta and BC addressing barriers to the movement of wine

Calgary, July 16, 2024 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is encouraged by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Alberta and British Columbia governments as an important step to remove a significant barrier to the direct-to-consumer shipment of wine. 

We hope the signing of this MOU will translate into a comprehensive agreement to allow the direct-to-consumer shipment of all alcohol products – a move that would remove red tape and reduce costs for Albertans and British Columbians. CFIB encourages the governments to release a timeline for when Albertans and British Columbians can benefit from this policy. 

The direct-to-consumer shipment of alcohol within Canada is a long standing CFIB recommendation with little movement since the signing of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement seven years ago. Manitoba is currently the only province that allows direct-to-consumer shipment of all Canadian alcohol products (wine, spirts, beers) to their consumers.

Removal of internal trade barriers such as these will help foster economic growth and demonstrate that Canada is open to the free movement of goods, services and labour across all provinces and territories.

- Keyli Loeppky, Director of Alberta and Interprovincial Affairs, CFIB
    
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Keyli Loeppky, CFIB
587-580-9140
keyloe@cfib.ca   

About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.