Wine (Image Credit: ID 169791021 © Valmedia Creatives | Dreamstime.com)

By Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press

Business

Business groups urge Alberta to scrap new wine levy

Jan 14, 2026 | 10:51 AM

Business groups are urging the Alberta government to repeal its tax on wine.

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission began imposing the charge in April of last year. The groups say they were not consulted.

The levies range from five per cent to 15 per cent depending on the per-litre cost of the wine. For example, the Merlot produced by B.C. winery Dirty Laundry would have sold direct-to-consumer for $29.99 now but costs $35.49.

The business coalition says the tax comes at a bad time as Albertans struggle with affordability.

“At a time when the rest of Canada is working to open trade between provinces, Alberta’s new wine tax penalizes Canadian wine, raises prices for consumers and undermines the progress governments have been working toward on internal free trade,” said Jeff Guinard, head of Wine Growers of British Columbia.

In the Community

Save-On-Foods supports Medicine Hat Public Library's Honeycomb House

Feb 05, 2026

What's On

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in February

Feb 01, 2026

What's On

Musician Lotus Wight to perform at the Medicine Hat Public Library in support of SPCA

Jan 30, 2026

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2026.