Sask. ready for beer fight

PROVINCE DISAPPOINTED IN ALBERTA BEER TAX APPEAL

The Saskatchewan government says it will vigorously defend Canadian interests in an appeal involving a beer tax in Alberta.

An internal trade panel ruled earlier this month that Alberta providing what amounts to beer tax rebates to its small breweries discriminates against out-ofprovince beers.

The panel gave Alberta six months to change the program, but the province is appealing the decision.

Dustin Duncan, Saskatchewan’s acting minister responsible for trade, says the government is disappointed that Alberta has decided to appeal.

Duncan says the panel decision supports a level playing field for beer, which is good for consumers and the Canadian craft beer industry.

He says the Alberta government “needs to do the right thing and comply with the ruling.”

“We certainly applaud the ruling. We think that Alberta is in the wrong and ... the ruling does confirm Saskatchewan’s position,” Duncan said Wednesday.

“I think this is a good day for trade in Canada, but we’ll obviously have to see what Alberta’s going to do going forward.”

The dispute began nearly two years ago when the Alberta government made brewers outside of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia pay a markup of $1.25 a litre.

Opponents argued that was a violation of free trade and Alberta ultimately acquiesced.