AGLC Tells BC Wineries to Stop Selling Direct to Alberta Consumers

While it’s legal for BC winery licensees to sell wine directly to Alberta consumers, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) recently sent a letter to all BC wineries requesting they stop doing so, or AGLC will no longer stock offending wineries’ products in its retail liquor stores.

One such letter, quoted in this CTV News article, stated “Our investigation found tangible evidence of (your winery’s) involvement in (direct-to-consumer) shipping of wines across provincial borders in Alberta”. The letter then describes the “punishment” for doing so, “AGLC will not accept any inbound shipments from (your winery) from this date forward. We will resume acceptance of inbound shipments if, by way of written notice, (your winery) agrees to immediately cease (direct-to-consumer) shipping operations to Alberta.”

In the CTV article, Al Hudek, a lawyer hired by BC wineries, suggests that the AGLC accused the wineries of breaking a law without providing evidence or an avenue of response or hearing, and then immediately imposed a penalty they have no authority to impose.

According this media release, Wine Growers of BC and member winery licensees are working with “provincial government representatives to determine the root cause of the trade dispute and find a resolution that works for all parties”.

The media release points out that “Bill C-311 permits Canadian wine to be delivered from another province free of barriers or tariffs, though only British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia have permitted their residents to do so.”

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