Why red tape makes it impractical for N.S. bar to bring in wine from Ontario vineyard

As a co-owner of a popular Halifax bar, Andrew Connell is facing challenges when it comes to bringing in Ontario wine to his establishment. The legislated process makes it difficult for Connell to directly contact the vineyard in the Niagara region, Rosewood Estates Winery. Instead, he is required to place a special order through the NSLC, which adds unnecessary costs and reduces profit margins.

Connell expressed frustration with the current system, questioning the need for a middleman and the impact it has on the overall cost of the product. William Roman, the general manager of Rosewood Estates Winery, shared similar sentiments, highlighting the inefficient nature of the process and its negative effects on both producers and consumers.

The issue at hand sheds light on the real-life implications of interprovincial trade barriers. Connell emphasized the importance of being able to buy and sell products from Ontario in the same way as products from Nova Scotia, calling for a more streamlined and efficient system.

The reason behind the complex process lies in the Liquor Control Act, which governs alcohol sales in Nova Scotia. Any changes to allow producers from other provinces to ship directly to licensees in Nova Scotia would require significant legislative and policy changes.

Recently, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston introduced a bill aimed at reducing interprovincial trade barriers, with Ontario showing support for the initiative. Houston emphasized the need for cooperation among provinces to make this vision a reality.

In response to the issue, the Nova Scotia Finance Department highlighted the importance of managing alcohol imports safely and responsibly. They expressed a commitment to streamlining interprovincial trade processes once reciprocal agreements with other provinces are in place.

Although Stillwell primarily focuses on local beer, they also bring in beer from other provinces and countries. Under the Maritime Beer Accord, they can purchase beer directly from microbreweries in New Brunswick and P.E.I. However, when it comes to Canadian beer from non-Maritime provinces, they are required to go through the NSLC, resulting in inflated costs for consumers and reduced margins for the bar.

Overall, the complexities of interprovincial trade barriers continue to pose challenges for businesses like Stillwell. As efforts are made to streamline processes and reduce barriers, there is hope for a more efficient and cost-effective system that benefits both producers and consumers.