Provincial posted Feb 22, 2018 @ 12:00pm by Liz Brown

BC Wine institute takes legal action against Alberta's ban of B.C. wine

The inter-provincial trade dispute continues between British Columbia and Alberta.

This week, the B.C. Wine Institute (BCWI) notified the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) that it's taking legal action and will be challenging the constitutionality of Alberta's ban on B.C. wine imposed by the AGLC.

<who> Photo Credit: Submitted </who> Wines of B.C.

Earlier this week, B.C. wineries lost about $1 million in sales to Alberta since the imposed ban on Feb. 6.

Now, Prodan says the loss is sitting at $4 million and has the potential for far more.

In 2017, the total net value of bottled and produced B.C. wine sales in Alberta was about $70 million.

The BCWI says Alberta's ban on B.C. wines is severely harming B.C. wineries and grape growers - especially small, family-owned businesses.

“The BC Wine Institute regrets having to resort to legal action to protect our industry and the families that rely on it for their livelihoods. We need to end this prohibition of BC wines,” said Miles Prodan, president and CEO of the BC Wine Institute.

Check out the ad we're running in BC papers today: https://t.co/mS5bkDQtID pic.twitter.com/UF39GnzdEh
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) February 21, 2018

The BC wine industry is comprised of 276 wineries and 923 grape growers and employs more than 12,000 people.

In total, the BC wine and grape industry contributes about $2.77 billion to the economy.

However, many are concerned with the financial impact of delaying the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

The wine ban was Alberta Premier, Rachel Notley's disciplinary move after B.C. Premier John Horgan threatened to prevent an increase in shipments of bitumen through the Trans Mountain pipeline.

The B.C. NDP government wants to implement more studies on the impacts of oil spills before moving forward with a federal government pre-approved project.

“The BC wine industry has always had a strong and positive relationship with Albertans. Many visit our wineries each year and our wines have long been appreciated by consumers. Our provinces share a long history of collaboration, strong economic ties, resilience, and pride for the products we grow. Because of the ban, that friendship is being tested.”

Moving ahead, counsel for the BC Wine Institute will attend an oral hearing, asking the court to immediately suspend the ban on BC wine in Alberta.

The court will then have a final hearing and the process should be complete within a few weeks.

*Stay tuned for NowMedia's on-camera interview with Miles Prodan.

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