NOTE: A grassroots campaign to make it legal for Canadians to buy and move Canadian wines across provincial borders was launched today by the Alliance of Canadian Wine Consumers. This is the group’s initial press release.
November 4, 2010, Ottawa, Ontario
Today the Alliance of Canadian Wine Consumers (ACWC) launched their grassroots FreeMyGrapes.ca campaign aimed at making it legal for Canadians to buy and move Canadian wines across provincial borders.
“It is patently ridiculous that I can bring home two bottles of wine from Argentina but could be fined and given a criminal record for doing the same thing from BC,†says Shirley-Ann George, ACWC’s founder.
The 1928 federal Importations of Intoxicating Liquors Act, and coordinating provincial laws that flow from it, prevent cross border transportation of alcohol. These antiquated laws encourage Canadians to buy foreign wines, chokehold wine tourism in Canada’s beautiful wine districts and handcuff job growth at Canadian wineries. In today’s economic environment, this is just plain foolish.
It’s time for these Prohibition-based laws to be brought into the 21st century by allowing adult Canadians to order, buy, ship and transport wine directly from Canadian wineries.
Federal Agriculture Minster, Gerry Ritz, is to be given kudos for initiating discussions on this issue with the provincial agriculture ministers. Fresh thinking will show there are ways to give consumers more choice without harming government revenues.
“Wine drinkers must speak up or the status-quo voices will prevail,†added George.
FreeMyGrapes.ca provides wine drinkers and free trade supporters a petition and sample letters/emails that can be sent to their federal and provincial elected officials letting them know the time has come for change. Canadians want to buy more Canadian wine and increasing the consumer’s choice offers benefits for wine lovers, the wine industry and government coffer.
For further information, please contact:
Shirley-Ann George, Founder
Canadian Alliance of Wine Consumers
AllianceCdnWineConsumers@gmail.com
C: 613 293-8487
Comment here