PEI

Interprovincial trade barriers should be dropped entirely, says MacLauchlan

There should be no trade barriers within Canada, says P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan, and that includes sales of beer, wine and liquor.

Some premiers still looking to restrict trade on alcoholic beverages

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark says it makes no sense that it is easier to get B.C. wine in China than in Ontario. (Website)

There should be no trade barriers within Canada, says P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan, and that includes sales of beer, wine and liquor.

MacLauchlan is meeting with his fellow premiers in Whitehorse this week, and he said he is not alone in his opinions on interprovincial trade.

P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan wants to see all provinces moving to the same standards. (CBC)

MacLauchlan said a new interprovincial trade deal should not exclude any specific products.

"I don't think things work that way," he said.

"That's why we're having these discussions. If we're going to liberalize then everybody should move to the same standard."

New Brunswick has been insisting alcohol should be excluded from any trade deal, because it is currently appealing a ruling against its own prohibitions on coming into the province with liquor.

British Columbia and Quebec have come out in support of freer movement of alcoholic beverages between provinces.

With files from Chris Hall