While Ottawa drops Ellebogen, most provinces are firmly against the sale of American alcohol

Prime Minister Doug Ford Maintains Ban on American Alcohol in Ontario

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent decision to lift bans on American goods has sparked discussions about the possibility of Canadian provinces allowing retailers to resume selling American alcohol.

While some provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan have already lifted their bans, Ontario remains firm in its stance. Premier Doug Ford stated that the LCBO, Ontario’s largest alcohol retailer, will not reintroduce American products until trade agreements are renegotiated.

“It remains off our shelves until they reduce tariffs or we reach a new trade deal,” Ford told reporters. “We will not be stocking it.”

Following US President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, several provinces implemented bans on American alcohol sales. Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island have no immediate plans to reverse these bans.

Despite calls from American industrial associations to lift the bans, most provinces are standing firm in their decision. Quebec, for example, plans to donate soon-to-expire American alcohol rather than restocking it.

While Alberta and Saskatchewan have resumed trade with the US, other provinces are maintaining their restrictions. This has led to an increase in sales of Canadian products, but has also put strain on importers who rely on American alcohol sales.

Ultimately, the decision to reintroduce American alcohol products rests on ongoing trade negotiations between Canada and the US. Until an agreement is reached, Ontario and other provinces will continue to uphold their bans.

With a report from Jeff Gray