Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and British Columbia Premier David Eby have announced a new agreement allowing wineries in their provinces to sell directly to consumers. The announcement was made during their visit to the east coast for the annual Council of the Federation meeting.
Premier Eby emphasized the importance of the wine industry to British Columbia, noting it is a significant contributor to tourism and domestic manufacturing. “We know we have fans right across Canada and around the world of B.C. wines,” he said. Eby highlighted past challenges in allowing B.C. wines to be sold in Alberta but praised the collaborative efforts to reach a new agreement.
Premier Smith echoed Eby’s sentiments, emphasizing Alberta’s commitment to reducing red tape and removing barriers to interprovincial trade. “Alberta’s government has long been an advocate for reducing red tape and removing barriers to interprovincial trade, and together with B.C., we are doing both,” she said.
Starting immediately, Albertans visiting B.C. wineries can sign up for wine clubs and have wine shipped directly to their homes. Similarly, consumers in B.C. can order wine from Alberta wineries. The agreement aims to provide more consumer choice and market access for businesses in both provinces.
Smith explained that a virtual warehouse would be created to ensure proper collection and remittance of taxes on these sales. The system will operate on a trust basis, with wineries expected to self-assess and remit the appropriate amounts. The agreement will be reviewed in one year to assess its effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments.
During the press conference, Premier Smith and Premier Eby addressed various questions from reporters.
Jurisdiction and Federal-Provincial Relations
When asked about jurisdictional boundaries and federal involvement in provincial matters, Smith emphasized the importance of clear jurisdictional boundaries to avoid duplication of administration and ensure efficient delivery of social programs. She advocated for federal funding to use provincial systems for program delivery.
RCMP and Policing
Both premiers discussed the challenges with RCMP staffing. Smith mentioned Alberta’s support for municipalities to choose the best policing model for their needs, citing significant vacancies in the RCMP as a concern. Eby noted a similar issue in B.C. and emphasized the need for trained officers to ensure public safety.
Healthcare and Privatization
Smith reaffirmed Alberta’s commitment to the principles of the Canada Health Act, ensuring no out-of-pocket payments for hospital services or visits to family doctors. She highlighted Alberta’s approach of expanding publicly funded services through various providers. Eby expressed concerns about competition for healthcare professionals if privatization increases, stressing the need to focus on recruitment and retention of healthcare workers.
Asylum Seekers and Immigration
Both premiers addressed the pressures of accommodating asylum seekers. Smith highlighted the need for the federal government to align immigration numbers with provincial capacities. She noted Alberta’s significant intake of newcomers and the resulting pressures on housing, education, and healthcare. Eby shared similar concerns and stressed the need for balanced distribution of asylum seekers across provinces.