Nine provinces and a territory have signed an agreement that will allow direct alcohol sales to the consumer for next spring.
Canadians in all provinces, except Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon will be able to ask for alcohol for personal consumption directly from producers operating in other parts of the country.
The announcement was held on Tuesday after a meeting of provincial, territorial and federal ministers in the city of Quebec.
May 2026 is the deadline, but they must still finish several details, including the way they will work and taxes.
“We hope that Quebecers and Canadians can benefit from this as soon as possible,” said Quebec Junior Economy Minister Christopher Skeete, journalists during a press conference on Tuesday.
“But you understand that this had never been done before, so we want to make sure we do it well.”
The agreement was part of a broader effort to eliminate interprovincial commercial barriers following the commercial war of US President Donald Trump. In addition to alcohol sales, the ministers signed a memorandum of understanding that address the problems of labor mobility and truck regulations.
“This meeting is part of a series of conversations and actions and approved, federal and provincial legislation, which has created a more united Canadian economy. [than] At any time since the Confederation, “Chrystia Freeland, the Federal Minister of Internal Trade, said during the press conference on Tuesday.
Ottawa approved legislation last month that eliminates federal internal commercial barriers, including a measure that considers a good or service that meets the provincial or territorial rules to have met the federal requirements. It also facilitates certain workers to obtain a federal license by recognizing provincial or territorial work authorizations.
The government has also eliminated federal barriers to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
In addition to the federal level, several provincial and territorial governments have been signing agreements or are working with other provinces to eliminate commercial barriers. The last agreement of this type occurred on Monday when Ontario and Alberta agreed to build infrastructure and energy corridors that include a possible railway to the region of the Rico Fire Ring in minerals.
