By The Canadian Press

Province to appeal ruling on incentive program for Alberta brewers

Aug 22, 2017 | 11:38 AM

EDMONTON – Alberta is challenging a ruling that found its incentive program on beer sales violates interprovincial free-trade obligations.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the government is appealing last month’s decision by the Agreement on Internal Trade panel about the Alberta Small Brewers Development program.

Ceci says the province will argue that its small brewers development program meets required trade obligations.

“I continue to believe that the ASBD program meets our commitments under AIT and other trade agreements,” Ceci said in a statement.

“Alberta maintains the most open liquor market in the country with the widest selection of beer and other liquor products from across Canada and around the world. Meanwhile, Alberta products are largely shut out of other provinces like British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec.”

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Ceci’s statement says Alberta runs the most open liquor market in Canada and 18 new breweries have opened since incentives began a year ago.

The trade panel, in a 2-1 decision, ruled that rebates given only to Alberta brewers discriminate against out-of-province beers sold in the province.

The action was filed by Calgary-based Artisan Ales, which imports beer and says the government’s program has had a devastating effect on sales.