Manitoba, Saskatchewan eye bans on Russian booze

CTV News Channel: Banning Russian vodka Manitoba MLA Ron Schuler says the move is symbolic and will support Ukrainian’s in their fight for democracy and freedom.

Both Manitoba and Saskatchewan are considering banning Russian booze from government-run liquor stores in response to recent developments in Ukraine’s Crimea region.

Ron Schuler, a Manitoba Tory MLA and Liquor Control Commission critic, proposed a ban in the provincial legislature on Wednesday.

“We as Manitobans will take a small stand and maybe just a symbolic stand, but we’re going take a stand against tyranny,” Schuler told CTV Winnipeg.

The province’s liquor control board lists three products made in Russia: Black Stallion Vodka; Russian Standard Vodka; and Baltika No. 7 beer.

The ruling NDP government says it is not opposed to banning the products and will look further into the issue.

“We want to make sure that whatever we do doesn’t hurt more than it helps,” Manitoba NDP cabinet minister Dave Chomiak told CTV Winnipeg. “We’re waiting on the direction from the federal government.”

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is also considering banning Russian products in his province’s government-run liquor stores. While Wall says he doesn’t know what the public appetite is for the move, he says he thought it was an idea worth considering when senior staff members brought it forward. Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority stores currently carry Russian Standard Vodka.

While the move in both provinces might send a strong message, some business owners are concerned more bans on Russia-made products could follow.

Mike Sverdlov, the owner of the Russian Deli Market in Winnipeg, carries numerous Russian products. But he says he’s more concerned for people living in Russia than he is for his own business.

“It’s people working to make these products,” he told CTV Winnipeg. “People going to lose, maybe his work place, because this product will be sold less.”

With files from CTV Winnipeg and The Canadian Press