The Province has decided to launch an appeal over their trade policies regarding Alberta Craft Breweries.

Last month the Government lost an appeal to the Agreement on Internal Trade, or "AIT" panel, which says Alberta's "protectionist" Small Brewers Development Program, or (ASBD), violated Canada wide trade rules, by slapping an import tax on craft beer sold in Alberta from other provinces.

Finance minister Joe Ceci disagrees with the ruling, pointing out Alberta hosts one of the widest liquor selections in Canada, while Alberta craft beers are "largely shut out" of other provinces.

In particular, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec.

In a release Ceci criticized the opposition for their stance favouring the ruling:

"While the opposition continues to support businesses outside the province at the expense of our brewers here at home, we are helping Alberta businesses to grow and employ hard-working Albertans.

“Our approach is to support business from grain to glass. Alberta’s brewers use our world-class agricultural products, like wheat and barley, further supporting farmers and Alberta’s rural economy.”

Ceci says he believes the ASBD Program meets the Province's commitments under AIT and other agreements.

 

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