Note: This is the note sent out by the Wine Council of Ontario, and obtained by Wines In Niagara, to wine council members in regards to recent news that Bill C-311 is on its way to being passed by Parliament. It isn’t promising.
WCO Members:
Given the prominence of Bill C-311 in the media lately, we have had many enquiries about how this affects Ontario wineries.
Essentially, there are NO changes to any winery sales operations/procedures at this time.
Bill C-311 has gone through various levels of ‘readings’. With this bill, the federal government is simply ‘getting out of the way’, i.e. removing the illegality of transporting liquor across provincial borders. This bill is NOT yet law, and, but is anticipated to move quickly through the Senate and hopefully will receive Royal Assent this summer.
Provincial rules – either regulations or policies depending on the jurisdiction – are still binding. Each province has developed its own set of policies in anticipation of the passage of the Bill (with respect to allowing, but restricting amounts carried into the province for personal purposes). But, currently, no Provincial policies allow for direct sales/shipping, including internet sales. This will remain true after the passage of this Bill. Therefore, it is still illegal to sell/ship wine direct to a customer in another province, and still illegal for tourist to buy wine at an Ontario winery and have winery shipped to their home in another province. And until Bill C-311 passes it is still technically illegal for a tourist to buy wine at the Ontario winery and carry it home with them.
We will be active with our Provincial and National partners to mount a campaign to bring about a more reasonable approach from each Province.
A more detailed discussion on this topic will be presented at our AGM and I look forward to getting your feedback and engagement as we move this issue forward.
Thanks
Hillary
Hillary Dawson
President, Wine Council of Ontario
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