SASKATOON — Opposition MLAs renewed their call for Saskatchewan residents to support local breweries, distilleries and winemakers after U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.
The call to action follows the province's quiet reversal of its short-lived boycott of U.S. alcohol, the Opposition said, a decision initially implemented in response to tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
Saskatoon Riversdale MLA Kim Breckner, in a joint media conference with MLA for Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis Don McBean on June 10, said local distilleries applauded the provincial government’s move to prevent U.S. brand liquor from entering Saskatchewan.
Breckner is the shadow minister of trade and export development, while McBean is the shadow minister of Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming.
“Local distillers are very happy for the chance to have the government pull U.S. liquor, and that will increase the sales of Canadian liquor brewed here in Saskatchewan. We have several great breweries, several great distillers,” said Breckner.
“We have amazing products made in Saskatchewan and Canada, and I think what we've been hearing is it's a great opportunity to solidify that support for them, our local producers. We're not off this Trump rollercoaster yet. Elbows up, everybody.”
Premier Scott Moe issued a directive on March 5 to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority to cease purchasing U.S.-produced alcohol. The directive was amended after almost three weeks to exempt American brands that are partially made in Canada.
McBean added that supporting the growing community of brewers and distillers in Saskatchewan—many of whom see a rare economic opportunity in the recent pullback of U.S. liquor products from provincial shelves—is crucial.
“When this was all rolling out, we met with some of those breweries, and they saw it as a great opportunity. We've been reaching out to [other] provinces to try and get increased presence of Saskatchewan-brewed products across Western Canada, at least at this point,” said McBean.
He added that many Saskatchewan vendors have seen an increase in their sales since the initial liquor ban, as consumers look for homegrown alternatives. Although the economic impact of boycotting U.S.-made and American-branded liquors was minor, it carried significant symbolic value.
“We stood up once, why back down now, especially when the tariffs are worse than before? This is about showing our steelworkers, distillers and brewers that they matter. And right now, they deserve better. If you’ve got a favourite Canadian rye or craft lager, now is the time to support it. And if you haven’t tried one yet, this is the perfect excuse. If you're a fan of old Kentucky bourbon, you may still want to buy a bottle of it. But in general, people have not been, and we think that it's just fine for them to continue to exercise that personal boycott," said McBean.
