Luke Randall, the minister responsible for NB Liquor, told the legislature Friday there’s less than $2 million of United States alcohol left to sell through the Crown corporation’s Salisbury depot location. NB Liquor stopped buying U.S. alcohol products in February, and in March the products were removed from store shelves in response to the trade war between Canada and the U.S. Certain U.S. products have remained available to buy through some agency locations and licensees, like restaurants and bars. In October, NB Liquor executives told a legislative committee they had decided to move the liquor from a warehouse to its depot in Salisbury, to try and salvage some of the money. They initially had $4 million in storage. In October, they had about $3.4 million left. On Friday, Randall said it’s now less than $2 million. “Those numbers are continuing to drop. It’s a very productive way to move through those products,” he said on the floor of the legislature. He said moving those products allows NB Liquor to make room for more local alcohol on its shelves. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
