Canada, AB & SK: Saskatchewan government says Alberta not playing fair when it comes to craft beer markup

The Saskatchewan government says Alberta is not playing fair when it comes to changes on charges for craft and small brewery beer, iPolitics reported on July 18.

Starting Aug. 5, Alberta will charge a C$1.25-per-litre markup for all beer, regardless of the size of the company or where the beer is made.

Last fall, the government announced it was lowering the markup on beer from smaller breweries in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia as part of the New West Partnership trade agreement with the three provinces.

Don McMorris, minister for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, says the markup will hurt brewers, namely Great Western Brewing, which is based in Saskatoon.

McMorris says Alberta’s move is “off side” with the trade agreement.

He says Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall will raise the issue with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley at the premiers meeting in Whitehorse, Yukon, this week.

“We have a regional brewing incentive program and a craft brewing incentive program. Every province does. So if there is Big Rock in Alberta, they get the same as Great Western does. We look at it as trade compliant. It’s even for all breweries.

“This change in Alberta is significant for Saskatchewan’s craft industry and especially our regional brewer.”

The Alberta government says it will bring in a grant program to help craft brewers.

21 July, 2016