Dear Editor,
Dan Albas, a Conservative MP from BC, has taken aim at freeing up movement of wine for personal use across provincial borders. Currently, the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act makes it illegal for Canadian tourists to return home with wine that they’ve purchased from another province. Seeing the absurdity of this unnecessary prohibition-era restriction, Albas sought to change this law so that Canadians can enjoy their favourite Canadian wines in whichever province they happen to reside.
Mr. Albas’s common-sense legislation was set to pass the House of Commons this week, until Thomas Mulcair’s New Democrat Party intervened to block the bill’s passage before summer.
Mr. Albas’s bill will open up new opportunities for Canadian wine producers while giving Canadian wine lovers even more choice when it comes to great Canadian vintages. As a wine lover, this is certainly good news for me – and I don’t think I’m alone.
Readers can be assured that I, and the rest of the Conservative Caucus will continue working hard to ensure that Mr. Albas’s legislation becomes a reality despite the disappointing efforts from Mr. Mulcair’s NDP to delay.
Sincerely,
Leon Benoit, MP
