The Latest Draft

Brewers are disappointed that the 2019 Budget does nothing to stop taxes on beer, wine and spirits from going up yet again. Federal excise tax on all beverage alcohol products will automatically go up on April 1, the third increase in just 2 years. Budget 2019 fails to repeal the rigid and unfair escalator tax on Canadians.  

At the first ministers’ meeting, positive signals were announced that steps will be taken to consider ways to reduce the barriers that are currently in place in regards to the interprovincial trade of beer, wine and spirits.  Beer Canada, the voice of the people who brew our nation’s beers, welcomes the news that barriers related to beverage alcohol will be a priority going forward.

The Government of Canada’s Fall Economic Statement contains positive changes for the beer industry including a commitment to complete the modernization of the Beer Standard under Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations. Yet it misses the opportunity to make life more affordable for Canada’s middle class and fix a growing competitive disadvantage for domestic brewers.

The Government of Canada’s announcement that most beer cans imported from the U.S. will no longer be subject to retaliatory tariffs is welcome news for brewers and beer drinkers across Canada.

Beer Canada today congratulates the Ford government on its decisive action to stop Ontario's automatically escalating beer tax and help beer drinkers.

Beer Canada opposes any beer tax increase in New Brunswick. None of the political parties mentioned raising beer taxes during the recent election campaign.