Toronto, Ontario (February 20, 2025) – Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) is thrilled that Doug Ford took another step forward today in stimulating Ontario’s wine sector by committing to the removal of interprovincial barriers to enable direct-to-consumer sales of alcohol with other provinces and territories.
Added to other recent initiatives designed to advance our industry, including the expansion of private retailing opportunities, reduction of taxes and extension of support programs, the removal of interprovincial trade barriers reinforces the confidence that the Ontario Progressive Conservatives have in our VQA wine sector.
The threat of US tariffs has shown the urgency for us to better position Ontario for market opportunities within our own country. Coupled with the “Buy Canadian” movement, there has never been a better time for provinces to work together on removing these barriers. This is a win for both consumers and Ontario wine producers. Consumers will benefit from more products and sales channels. And in turn, Ontario wineries will benefit from the development of a truly national market for Canadian wine.
It’s hard to believe that Canada is the only significant wine growing country in the world that does not primarily consume its own domestic wines. It’s even harder to believe that for decades, it’s been easier for Ontario wineries to ship their products to European countries, rather than from one province to another.
This is an enormous win for our members – one that is long overdue.
Michelle Wasylyshen
President and CEO
Ontario Craft Wineries
