Ottawa, ON – Shuvaloy Majumdar, Conservative Shadow Minister for Canada-United States Relations, issued the following statement on today’s ban of Canadian alcohol, whey products, motorcycles and molasses by the United States:
“President Trump’s decision to block Canadian exports of alcohol, dairy, motorcycles and molasses is another unjustified attack on Canadian workers, businesses and producers.
“Sadly, these measures threaten the farmers who grow the rye, barley and grapes that become wine, beer and spirits. They threaten the manufacturers who produce the bottles and the boxes they’re shipped in, the truckers who transport them to store shelves and the vineyard, brewery and distillery workers who give a face to the product label. With no clear timeline on this ban, both Canadian and American consumers and businesses will feel the pain.
“President Trump is responsible for these unjustified measures. At the same time, the Liberals have failed to weather the storm. For months, Prime Minister Carney offered concessions in trade talks and negotiated from a position of weakness rather than strength.
“The Prime Minister had time to develop a plan. But instead of making Canada stronger and more competitive, he left Canadian businesses vulnerable to decisions made in Washington. While other businesses received short-term tariff relief in recent months, the Liberal government has done nothing to help the Canadian alcohol industry during this time.
“That is why Conservatives are calling on the government to immediately support Dan Albas’ Bill C-262, allowing Canadians to buy Canadian beer, wine and spirits from anywhere in the country through Canada Post. If barriers are going up abroad, we should be tearing barriers down at home.
“We are also calling on the government to pause the federal alcohol excise tax and suspend the escalator tax that continues to increase costs for Canadian producers and consumers alike. This is not the time for higher taxes on industries that are fighting to remain competitive.
“Just as we should be tearing down barriers to Canadian beer, wine and spirits, we should be unleashing Canadian energy to make it easier to fuel our industries. The Conservative Emergency Fuel Relief Plan would lower fuel costs, boost Canadian refining capacity and make us more self-reliant, so that Canadian workers are not left vulnerable every time Washington changes the rules.
“We cannot control decisions made in Washington. But if the US wants to raise costs for its businesses and consumers, we can respond by outcompeting them and taking down the barriers, delays and taxes that prevent our economy from realizing its full potential.
“Now is the time to save Canadians money and jobs and fight for an affordable, self-reliant and independent country.”