Many Albertans continuing to support local despite province lifting ban on American liquor

It’s been almost a week since Alberta lifted its ban on American liquor imports. It was a tariff retaliation that lasted three months.

When the import ban took effect March 6, Alberta’s way to push back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s widespread tariffs. Liquor stores were told to focus on Canadian products with the movement to “buy local.”

Some Edmonton retailers say they are restocking their shelves with spirits south of the border, but not like they used to.

At Aligra Wine & Spirits in West Edmonton Mall, they sell a lot of Kentucky bourbon. The shop owner says that customers love these American brands and are still buying like they used to.

But some others, either supporting local or boycotting American, have made the switch, and so far they haven’t looked back.

“Sales are down for American products, no doubt about it,” said Grant Schneider.

Schneider says he’s had a steady flow of bourbon sales through his shop, but he’s also seen about a 50 per cent drop in sales of American wines.

Adding people who made the shift to non-American and have shown no interest in dashing back to the U.S. aisle, especially with a new federal 25 per cent surtax on imports.

“We’re not going out of our way to increase the number of SKUs on the shelf, simply because the sales are down. There’s people in our wine club that prefer us not to put in American products,” Schneider explained.

In a Friday statement, a spokesperson with Alberta’s Ministry of Service and Red Tape Reduction explained the decision to lift the ban is meant to improve negotiations for a new Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, saying, “We are focused on highlighting Alberta’s role as a responsible and collaborative trading partner and will continue working alongside other provinces to advocate for a tariff free relationship.” 

But even with American liquor back in play, people on Whyte Ave say they’ve already picked their poison.

“I’m sticking to Canadian. There’s too much Bull**** with that tariffs with Trump on the border,” said one Edmontonian.

Another saying, “I think the interest has definitely waned for America. I think there’s more of an interest to bring in local products.”