Liquor laws

Much like the United States, Canada has unique laws governing interprovincial commerce in wine that can be directly attributed to prohibition efforts of the early 20th century. There is less bureaucracy for a wine merchant in California to export to Alberta than to ship from state to state. It can be even worse in Canada. In 2011, notable radio host Terry O’Reilly violated the law by carrying a case of B.C. wine across the border into Alberta. His bootlegging demonstrated the futility of these laws. The police would be overwhelmed trying to enforce these statutes in their present form.

In the decades after Prohibition was repealed, our federal government handed alcohol regulation down to the provinces, which, in turn, enacted laws reflecting their local standards. More importantly, the provinces protected revenue generated from alcohol taxation. In Ontario, for example, the LCBO was granted a monopoly, ensuring all commercial establishments pay a similar price for product, regardless of volume. More importantly, their inspectors inspect the product to prevent tampering

I don’t think we would be overly thrilled if a huge liquor conglomerate, such as Diageo, purchased the LCBO. But, this is what happened with beer distribution in Ontario. In the beginning, the Beer Store was established as an outlet for domestic beers manufactured by the Big Three. But its commanding market presence made it highly valuable to overseas breweries, which bought local beer-makers and which, in turn, owned a share of the Beer Store. They were thus guaranteed a near monopoly on beer sales in Ontario. Cross over to Quebec, however, and you can purchase beer at the local dépanneur, or by the case at Costco.

Inter-provincial laws controlling alcohol are protectionist by nature, and create a hindrance for the expansion of trade. These laws are simply an anomaly in today’s world of global trade. Truthfully, we should not have such laws, since even inadvertently transporting a bottle of wine across a provincial boundary breaks the law.

THIS WEEK’S PICK
The County Cider Company recently introduced an apple cider aptly named The Tortured Path, perhaps because of the raw, earthy notes of this mouthwatering beverage.

Cider is to the northern climates as wine is to warmer ones. It played a vital role in keeping people healthy with a safe drinking beverage. Sharp and fresh, with notes that pair well with aged cheddars and ploughman’s lunch, Tortured Path typifies ciders of this heritage.

Available at the County Cider Company for $7.95 for a 500ml bottle, it makes the trip to the tasting room well worth your while.