Changes to Saskatchewan’s Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Amendment Act means that consumers will be able to buy wine and craft spirits directly from suppliers in B.C.
“We just introduced legislation for the first reading amendments to the (legislation) that will allow freer trade between, for example, British Columbia and ourselves,” said Don McMorris, Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA). “So what will happen is that wine and craft alcohol producers will be able to sell direct to consumers from B.C. direct to consumer.”
According to McMorris, some details still have to be worked out, such as what price markup will be put on it, but at least the legislation is now in place to allow for it. The markup will be the similar to other alcohol that is in the province just so that the playing fields are level.
While these changes aren’t huge, they provide a wider wine selection and they’re another step in the direction towards freeing up inter-provincial trade.
“I think it’s a win-win because our consumers will have a better selection if they want some B.C. wines that SLGA doesn’t carry right now,” said McMorris.
According to a government news release, the legislation is expected to be passed in spring of 2015 and so officials in both provinces will be attempting to establish processes around this in the meantime.
