Another hurdle crossed for local wine and cider sales

A Bill to allow Canadian consumers to purchase wine and cider directly from Canadian wineries has passed the required three readings and votes in parliament and has moved onto the senate.

“Local wine and cider producers and apple growers will directly benefit from this amendment,” said Daryl Kramp, Prince Edward Hastings MP. “And by benefiting these businesses in the County, that ultimately means a strengthened and more robust economy for Prince Edward-Hastings.”

Kramp said Private Member’s Bill C-311 has now moved onto the Senate to go through the final stages to receive Royal Assent and be passed into law. Motion 311 was tabled in the House of Commons by Dan Albas, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla and would amend the 1928 Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act. The Act 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.

The amendment set forth in Bill C 311 would allow the interprovincial importation of wine for personal use only, specifically:
h) the importation of wine from a province by an individual, if the individual brings the wine or causes it to be brought into another province, in quantities and as permitted by the laws of the latter province, for his or her personal consumption, and not for resale or other commercial use.

The Canadian Vintners Association has sent a letter of thanks to all Members of Parliament who supported this Bill, including Kramp.

Read the bill here: http://freemygrapes.ca/downloads/C-311_1.pdf