Alberta challenges ruling that says its beer tax violates trade rules
Posted Aug 22, 2017 10:50 am.
Last Updated Aug 22, 2017 11:13 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON – Alberta is challenging a ruling that found its incentive program on beer sales violates interprovincial free-trade obligations.
Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the government is appealing last month’s decision by a national internal trade panel.
Ceci says the province will argue that its small brewers development program meets required trade obligations.
He says in a statement that Alberta runs the most open liquor market in Canada and 18 new breweries have opened since incentives began a year ago.
The trade panel, in a 2-1 decision, ruled that rebates given only to Alberta brewers discriminate against out-of-province beers sold in the province.
The action was filed by Calgary-based Artisan Ales, which imports beer and says the government’s program has had a devastating effect on sales.
