Canada’s premiers took a pass on reforming trade barriers around liquor laws at trade talks last week.
The premiers of Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec did sign their own deals, allowing for the online purchases of wine from each other's provinces.
New Brunswick, the focal point of this debate now with a recent court ruling, is calling the trade limits ‘unconstitutional.’
People in Fredericton are calling it a disappointment.
“I think its typical government when they can get together and make decisions on things and choose not to. And it’s unfair to the Canadian public,” says resident Mark Dee.
“It should've been dealt with,” says another resident.
The 13 premiers did sign on to an agreement in principal, clearing the road, they say, for a greater flow of goods and services across Canada.
The premiers are taking a sober second look at interprovincial trade and liquor control. They’ve agreed to study it, but that’s all.
Before the Yukon meeting, New Brunswick indicated that alcohol would not be part of any new trade deal, because the court ruling is under review.
Some are suggesting that reasoning is convenient.
“As long as we've been drinking liquor in this country, that problem has been around,” says one resident. “I think you should be able to go anywhere in Canada and buy what you want, and bring it in to New Brunswick.”
British Columbia’s premier Christy Clark says it’s only the beginning.
“We have not freed the grapes completely, but they are free-er,” says Clark.
The premier of Quebec is suggesting it could be another few years before anything becomes final.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.
