Local vineyard/Vernon Matters Staff

By Vernon Matters Staff

Pushing back

B.C. wineries join coalition pushing Alberta to scrap wine tax

Jan 14, 2026 | 1:28 PM

B.C. wineries are calling out Alberta over a new wine tax they say is driving up prices and hurting Canadian producers.

Wine Growers British Columbia is part of a national coalition asking Alberta to scrap the tax, which was introduced in 2025 without industry input.

The policy adds extra percentage fees on top of existing taxes and affects every bottle sold in Alberta priced above $11.25 per 750 millilitres.

The added charges range from five to 15 per cent, making wine more expensive for customers and harder for businesses to stay competitive. B.C. wineries say the tax also makes it tougher to sell their products in Alberta and works against efforts to improve trade between provinces.

The coalition wants Alberta to repeal the tax and work with industry to keep wine affordable and support Canadian businesses.

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