BC – British Columbia’s new interprovincial trade agreement with Ontario and Quebec will cut red tape for B.C. wineries and increase market access for the world renowned wines produced throughout the province.
“This agreement presents more opportunities for B.C. businesses to grow and prosper while developing quality wines that are representing B.C. internationally, and now across Canada,” says Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture.
Building on the success of previous agreements with Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, this new partnership will make it easier for customers in Canada’s two largest provinces to enjoy B.C. wine, while increasing consumer awareness of made-in-B.C. products across the country.
These new export opportunities will support the growth of British Columbia’s burgeoning wine industry, producers now have an opportunity to list their products with distributors in all three provinces.
“We strongly believe in the free trade of Canadian wine and this is a great common-sense change that will positively impact wine producers from all three provinces,” says Miles Prodan, president and CEO of the British Columbia Wine Institute. ”We look forward to helping consumers across Canada discover the 100% B.C.-made BCVQA wine products that our producers have been perfecting for generations.”
Modernizing liquor laws and increasing the flow of wine between Canadian provinces, will support the employment opportunities, growth and expansion of B.C.’s wine industry, which has a significant economic, tourism, and cultural impact throught the province.