OTTAWA - Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country made a statement in the House of Commons today regarding his Motion 218 which he has placed on the Order Paper.

Motion 218 (formerly Motion 601) promotes amending the 1928 Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act to allow Canadian consumers to purchase wine directly from Canadian wineries.

The Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act, 1928 prohibits the movement of wine through a provincial territory unless it is first consigned to provincial liquor authorities. The motion would amend the Act to allow for a personal exemption so that out of province consumers could purchase directly from wineries.

“Canada has a robust wine industry and produces some of the best vintages in the world. It is a source of national pride. Yet, Canadians do not have easy access to those products,” said Mr. Cannan, Chair of the Conservative Wine Caucus.

“Purchasing practices have changed significantly because of online shopping,” said Cannan. “Liquor boards have limited shelf space and have tried to expand choice through private order programs but they are slow and costly,” he said.

Mr. Cannan said a number of wineries and associations including the BC Wine Institute, the Canadian Vintners Association and the Alliance for Canadian Wine Consumers are very supportive.

A growing grassroots movement to change the Act has also triggered letter writing campaigns to provincial and federal representatives as well as a web campaign called freemygrapes.ca.

Mr. Cannan is working with his colleagues Minister of National Revenue Gail Shea and Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz to move the issue forward.

"Minister Ritz has been in contact with his provincial counterparts to gauge their interest in finding a solution that reflects the realities of modern day business."

Mr. Cannan noted that the personal exemption would have a positive impact by enhancing consumer accessibility to Canadian wine and improving marketing options and sales to a larger consumer base for Canada’s wineries.

“Coming from the Okanagan Valley which is home to a number of fantastic, internationally award winning wineries, the change would have an immediate benefit to our wine and culinary tourism sector. It’s the kind of move that would generate jobs and create secondary economic activity,” he said.

“Removing this interprovincial trade barrier is a win-win for Canadian wine producers and Canadian consumers,” said Cannan.

Background Information

Wording of the Motion is as follows:

M-218 — June 6, 2011 — Mr. Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country) — That, in the opinion of the House, the Canadian wine industry, the Canadian tourism industry and Canadian consumers would benefit from an amendment to the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act to allow any person to import, send, take or transport Canadian wine into any province or territory directly from a winery, liquor board, liquor commission or similar outlet for the sale of wine located in any other province or territory within Canada for consumption by that person and not for resale, further distribution, sale or for any use other than personal consumption.

Mr. Cannan’s Statement in the House of Commons, June 16th, 2011:

Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Ron Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country, CPC): Mr. Speaker, coming from B.C., I know there are still some Canucks fans crying in their beer, but today I am talking about wine. The aspect of Motion No. 218 that I have brought forward supports efforts to bring Canada's wine laws into the 21st century.
Hailing from the beautiful Okanagan Valley, Canadians from all over the country are drawn to our vineyards for the ultimate wine and culinary tourism experience. Yet when they try to purchase bottles of wine to take home, they, like anyone living outside a wine-producing province, are prohibited from doing so. Likewise, despite a robust online market in most other consumer sectors, vintners are prohibited from selling directly to Canadian consumers.
The current law hurts the Canadian wine brand and prohibits the growth of fledgling wine producers. With the help of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Minister of National Revenue, as well as strong grassroots support, we are working toward creating a personal exemption which respects the jurisdiction of provincial liquor boards.
Let us relax this archaic 1928 interprovincial trade barrier and create a win-win for Canadian wine producers and Canadian consumers. Let us free my grapes. Check out freemygrapes.ca.