Manitoba’s stock of U.S. booze to be sold for charity: premier

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said U.S. liquor pulled from shelves amid tariff threats will return to Manitoba liquor stores until Christmas.

U.S. booze will be returning to Manitoba shelves, but just for a limited time.

Premier Wab Kinew said starting Monday, a back stock of American alcohol products previously pulled from Liquor Mart shelves will go on sale, but only until Christmas Eve.

“The idea is we’re putting up about a million dollars worth of this U.S. booze for sale, and that’ll result in half a million dollars getting donated to the Cheer Boards in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson,” Kinew said during an interview with The Ace Burpee Show on 103.1 Virgin Radio Thursday morning.

On Monday, vendors, restaurants, and private wine stores will get first crack at the U.S. products, Kinew said. The rest will then go on sale to the general public on Wednesday.

However, Kinew noted this is not a permanent return of U.S. booze in Manitoba.

Back in February, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Kinew directed Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries to stop the sale of U.S. liquor products across the province.

He said that the ban on U.S. booze will not change anytime soon.

“We’re not reordering any of the American booze. When you talk to the Americans, this is one of the things that they actually noticed that we’ve done so far. It’s a big irritant,” he said.

“Pulling the booze off the shelves from the American brewers and distilleries is something that has actually moved the needle in Trump world, you could say, so we’re going to hold the line there.”

Kinew credited The Ace Burpee Show for coming up with the idea of using the existing American alcohol for good.

“Don’t just let the stuff sit on a shelf, put it to use, and put it to use to help the community, to help charities. It’s an amazing idea,” Kinew said.