If U.S. wants wine war, ‘bring it on,’ says Clark
Liberal leader says her government’s ready to fight U.S. complaint about B.C. grocery stores selling only wines from B.C.
Christy Clark says she will fight the United States’ efforts to force American wine into B.C. grocery stores, but Kelowna West Green candidate Robert Mellalieu says she is overstepping her boundaries in a matter best left to the federal government.
The United States launched an international trade complaint against B.C. earlier this year, saying the province’s decision to sell only B.C. wines in grocery stores is a breach of Canada’s commitments to the World Trade Organization.
“Everything that we have done under (the North American Free Trade Agreement) is absolutely allowed in the agreement,” said Clark at Gray Monk Estate Winery in Lake Country Wednesday morning. “I say to Donald Trump, bring it on. (If) he wants to have a fight about B.C. wine being sold in B.C. groceries, we’re ready for it.”
However, the battle of wine sales is not Clark’s to fight, said Mellalieu.
“As soon as you start talking about international stuff, that’s better left to the federal government,” he said. “To start pounding her chest is pure election politics. It’s really not her place. This is a federal issue. A competent politician would know better.”
Shelley Cook, the NDP candidate for Kelowna West, said she was not up to speed on the B.C. NDP’s stance on the question of selling only B.C. wine in grocery stores.
“I think we want to see product available to consumers in the way they want to purchase it,” she said. “It is something that seems to be working for consumers, and we want to see that continue to be supported.”
The United States’ complaint against B.C. is a “big concern,” said Cook.
“We need to be very passionate advocates for our grape product and do our best to remove any of those barriers for the wine industry,” she said. “I think this is a tough one for British Columbians.”
In the past 16 years, the number of wineries in B.C. has increased from 70 to more than 330, said Clark.
“We are so proud of the wine industry in the Okanagan Valley,” she said. “They not only make the best wines in the world, they employ 12,000 people and welcome over a million visitors a year.”
If re-elected, Clark said she would step up efforts to market B.C. wine, craft beer, cider and distilled products around the world by investing in targeted campaigns.
“As we work to support B.C. wine, craft beer and cider and distilling, John Horgan and the B.C. NDP have opposed us every step of the way, just like they opposed the actions that we’re taking to stand up to rising U.S. protectionism,” she said.
Cook agreed B.C.’s wine industry is flourishing, but she said it is in spite of the Liberals, not because of them.
“It’s a great industry and it’s something that’s growing despite some of the challenges faced in terms of regulations and red tape,” she said. “We’re looking at different ways to enhance opportunities for the wine industry, including marketing and opportunities for diversification.”