Trudeau Liberals fail Canadian wine industry

The agreement reached between the Liberal government and Australia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) earlier this week regarding Canadian wine is yet another example of Justin Trudeau’s failure to protect Canadian industries from trade related issues.

“Conservatives opposed the Liberal government’s automatic tax increases on wine back in 2017 and continue to do so today. Australia’s WTO challenge was directly related to the escalator tax put in place by Finance Minister Bill Morneau in Budget 2017. Conservatives warned the Liberals of the consequences of the escalator tax on wine, yet the government failed to listen or take action.

“In January, Conservatives wrote to Minister Ng warning that her government’s lack of urgent action to settle this case was putting the 9,000 jobs in Canada’s wine sector at risk. The Liberal government’s refusal to work towards a settlement in a timely manner ensured that Canada was never able to negotiate from a position of strength. Now, 400 wineries in Canada are at risk of closing according to the Wine Growers of Canada.

In May, Conservatives also asked the Liberals to halt any automatic tax increases on domestic beer, wine, and spirits. During a pandemic, Conservatives believe that Canadians shouldn’t be forced to pay higher taxes. Yet, Justin Trudeau increased this tax on Canadians on July 1st.

Conservatives are calling on the Trudeau government to work with the Canadian wine industry to find a timely solution to the issue the Liberals have created and immediately institute an excise exemption replacement program. We will continue to stand up for Canada’s wine sector and call out the Liberals when they fail to do so.

RANDY HOBACK
Prince Albert MP
Shadow Minister for International Trade, and

TRACY GRAY
Kelowna—Lake Country MP
Shadow Minister for Interprovincial Trade

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