Quebec hoping to tear down provincial trade walls for alcohol by May

An overhaul of provincial trade rules means that consumers will soon be able to order alcohol directly from Canadian sellers.

The CAQ government is moving to allow Quebecers to purchase alcohol from other provinces and have it delivered to their doors by the middle of next year.

CAQ MNA for Beauce South, Samuel Poulin, is the Minister for the Economy and Small and Medium Enterprises. He says that on May 26, the doors will open to cross-provincial alcohol sales.

“Quebec opened the discussion for alcohol and plays leader for this discussion and continues this discussion,” he said.

He is heading to Yellowknife on Thursday to meet with ministers from other provinces and territories with the goal of fine-tuning the deal to allow for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales without compromising the Quebec liquor board (SAQ).

“For my government, it’s very important to protect the SAQ,” said Poulin.

“It’s possible to protect the SAQ and open discussions and open action for the contract (sale) of alcohol with different provinces and territories.”

Premier Francois Legault entered into discussions with the other provinces in March about loosening trade rules between provinces. His Economy Minister, Christopher Skeete, introduced Bill 112 (An Act to facilitate the trade of goods and the mobility of labour from the other provinces and the territories of Canada) on Oct.1, and it came into force at the end of October.

“This bill sets out the principle that, despite any inconsistent provision, any good from the other provinces and the territories of Canada may be commercialized, used or consumed in Québec without any further requirement relating, among other things, to its manufacturing, composition or classification,” the bill reads.

Poulin said he wants small producers in Quebec to be able to sell their products to as many Canadian clients as possible, but he is also aware that the province’s liquor board is an essential part of the local economy.

“It’s my responsibility to protect the SAQ and develop for the new horizons for the many small enterprises in Quebec,” he said. “It’s very important to have new possibilities for small enterprises to sell direct for different persons, for different products in BC or Ontario. For me it’s possible to open the deal and protect the SAQ.”

-- with reporting from CTV News Montreal journalist Marisela Amador.