Prime Minister Carney Requests Provinces Lift Bans on American Alcohol as Trade Accord Finalizes

OTTAWA, ON — Prime Minister Mark Carney formally requested Wednesday evening that Canadian provincial governments immediately end their retaliatory restrictions on American wine, beer, and spirits as negotiators in Ottawa and Washington complete the legal drafting of a comprehensive trade memorandum.

Bilateral Trade Framework and Liquor Board Directives

Following a direct high-level conference call between Prime Minister Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House agreed to pause punitive 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian industrial and consumer goods. In reciprocal discussions with Canada's 10 provincial premiers, Carney highlighted that the removal of provincial procurement and shelf-space boycotts—originally instituted across eight provinces in response to prior U.S. tariff actions—is a central condition of the draft cross-border pact.

Provincial liquor control boards, including Ontario's LCBO, British Columbia's LDB, and Quebec's SAQ, had pulled thousands of American product lines earlier this year, affecting an estimated $1.2 billion in annual U.S. beverage exports.

Provincial Reactions and Dairy Protections

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe confirmed receiving the prime minister's briefing, noting that while the trade landscape remains volatile, federal negotiators succeeded in maintaining core protections for Canada's supply-managed dairy and poultry sectors without introducing new quota surcharges.

Retail associations and hospitality industry groups welcomed the directive, projecting that restocking shelves will lower operating costs for restaurants and restore normal supply chains ahead of the fall retail season.

Implementation Timelines and Regulatory Filings

Provincial cabinet orders and liquor board directives are expected to take effect over the next 72 hours as bilateral legal teams review technical annexes before the final signing deadline scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026.