WINE GROWERS BC PRAISES BC GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO REMOVE U.S. WINE FROM LIQUOR STORE SHELVES IN RESPONSE TO TARIFFS
For immediate release: 03/10/2025
Vancouver, British Columbia – Wine Growers BC fully supports the British Columbia government’s decision to remove all U.S. wine from BC Liquor Store shelves in response to the tariffs imposed on Canadian wine by President Trump. This action sends a strong message in support of local wineries and helps ensure that BC’s wine industry receives the priority it deserves amid challenging economic conditions.
“We applaud the BC government’s move to remove U.S. wine from BC Liquor Store shelves. This decision puts the interests of BC’s wine industry front and center. It’s particularly important as our wineries are still recovering from the devastating cold snap of January 2024, which caused significant damage to our vineyards. This extra shelf space is vital for our local producers to regain lost ground and rebuild their businesses,” said Paul Sawler, Chair of Wine Growers BC.
The cold snap of January 2024 caused extensive damage to crops across many of BC’s wine-growing regions, leaving wineries struggling to recover. With fewer grapes to harvest and sell, many wineries are facing difficult financial pressures. This move by the BC government is seen as an important step toward boosting the local industry’s ability to regain its footing.
“We are seeing increased demand for BC wines,” added Mark Sheridan, Hester Creek Estate Winery. “By removing U.S. wine from the shelves, BC Liquor Stores can provide local BC wineries with a fair opportunity to meet demand and recover from the challenges of the past year. This is a critical moment for our industry, and this decision meaningfully supports both our producers and the local economy. Thank you Premier Eby for putting Team Canada first.”
Wine Growers BC believes this move not only benefits the wine industry but also highlights the BC government’s ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and industries. With BC’s wine tourism and agricultural sectors already making significant contributions to the province’s economy, this decision is expected to bring positive, long-term effects for BC’s wine-growing regions.
Quick Facts:
- The BC wine industry generates approximately $3.75 billion annually, contributes over $440 million in federal and provincial tax revenues, and employs over 14,000-plus full-time workers.
- BC wine tourism draws an annual estimated 1 million tourists with $452 million in tourism-related revenue, and $147 million in wages across 2,615 tourism-related jobs.
- For every bottle of BC wine sold, $105 is contributes to the regional and national economy.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Laura Kittmer, Wine Growers BC
lkittmer@winebc.com
250.762.9744 ext 103
ABOUT WINE GROWERS BRITISH COLUMBIA
Since 1990, WGBC has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing exceptional wine tourism experiences. WGBC markets the wine and regions of BC; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of industry that contributes $3.75 billion in provincial economic growth annually.
WGBC represents all wineries in British Columbia to grow the premium market share for the Wines of British Columbia, while driving awareness of our world-class wines and tourism product – as of 2019 drawing 1,191,500 visitors with $783.7million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact on an annual basis.
For more information about Wine Growers BC programs and services, please visit WineBC.com.
For details on the Wines of British Columbia, go to WineBC.com.
