NDP criticizes province for alleged reversal of American-made alcohol ban

Just days after the United States doubled its tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, the Saskatchewan NDP says the provincial government has resumed the purchase and distribution of American-made alcohol. The ban was originally put in place this spring as a countermeasure against then-25 per cent U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

Critic for Trade & Export Development Kim Breckner says that the countermeasure was quietly reversed without an official announcement. The move was leaked by an SLGA member in an email to the Regina Leader Post.

“The message it’s showing to the hardworking people down at EVRAZ, the steelworkers, people that are reliant on the industry that they are not a priority. We can’t even keep up one countermeasure we had on U.S. tariffs.”

She adds that every other province, except Alberta, has been able to keep up the ban on American alcohol, signifying that Saskatchewan is simply a follower of the Albertan Government.

“You can’t help but notice the similarities. It’s quite disappointing. We need leadership, not somebody following a government that is, let’s just be honest, enabling separatism.”

Don McBean, Critic for the SLGA, says the removal of the ban gives people a choice, and he hopes they choose Canada.

“Yes, you have a choice. If old Kentucky bourbon is your favourite, then maybe you’re still going to buy a bottle of it, but in general, people have not been, and we think it’s just fine for them to continue to exercise that personal boycott.”

The NDP calls on the Province to protect Saskatchewan workers and do more to counter the U.S. tariffs, which are now at 50 per cent on steel and aluminum.

Monday, the NDP were also highlighting a new report that shows Saskatchewan renters are seeing their monthly costs rise faster than anywhere else in the country.

In Rentals.ca and Urbanation’s June rent report, the province’s average rents are up 3.9 per cent from 2024, which marks the fourth consecutive month that Saskatchewan’s had the highest year-over-year rent growth among the provinces.