CFIB toasts governments for removing alcohol internal trade barriers
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomed the news that Canada’s independent alcohol producers can now ship directly to consumers across provincial borders under a newly implemented Canada-wide agreement.
Dan Kelly, president of the CFIB, calls the agreement a practical step toward reducing internal trade barriers and expanding customer access for small businesses. The agreement gives independent wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries the ability to reach new markets and grow operations while providing Canadians with greater product choices.
Canadian alcohol producers can sell and ship nationwide
Under the new framework, small-scale producers can sell and ship products nationwide without navigating traditional interprovincial distribution barriers. The CFIB specifically commended Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan for adopting straightforward, low-burden implementation models that minimize friction and costs for independent producers.
To protect these opportunities, the CFIB plans to closely monitor the ongoing provincial rollout to ensure governments do not introduce unnecessary registration requirements.
Next steps for inter-provincial alcohol sales
While praising the agreement as an important starting point, the CFIB emphasizes that further action is needed to establish a truly open domestic market. The organization is calling on governments to take the next step by including alcohol under the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement. That inclusion would allow alcohol products legally sold in one province or territory to be sold across all other Canadian jurisdictions without duplicative testing, paperwork or regulatory requirements.
"This is very welcome news. Canada's independent wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries have waited a long time to see direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping finally become a reality," said Kelly in a press release.
