A trade disagreement is brewing between the government of Saskatchewan and the government of Alberta.
On July 12th the Alta. government announced that as of Aug. 5, the province will move to one standard beer mark-up of $1.25 per litre.
"Alberta's new beer pricing and grant policy are a trade issue that could hurt producers and consumers in both provinces,” said Don McMorris, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority in a written release. "We have raised our concens with Premier Rachel Notley's office and Premier Wall will be raising this matter again with Premier Notley at the Premiers' meeting in Whitehorse later this week."
McMorris said Alberta should not be raising trade barriers for beer entering the Alberta market at a time that all provinces are working toward an agreement to reduce interprovincial trade barriers.
"It will significantly increase the mark-up rate applied in Alberta to Great Western Brewing and other small Saskatchewan producers."
McMorris said they will be closely watching for details on the grant program to determine if it will be compliant with the Agreement on Internal Trade and the new West Partnership Trade Agreement.
“If they proceed with this measure, we will have to explore all our options, including potentially re-examining the mark-ups on Alberta beer and other liquor products sold in Saskatchewan. We should all be looking for ways to reduce interprovincial trade barriers,” said McMorris.
