Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario will stop selling all U.S.-made alcoholic beverages, effective Tuesday, February 4.
This decision follows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian exports except energy, which will be levied at 10%.
Ford stated that LCBO sales of American alcohol amount to approximately $1 billion annually. The removal will apply to all U.S. wine, beer, spirits, and seltzers. Additionally, as Ontario’s sole alcohol wholesaler, LCBO will eliminate American products from its catalogue, preventing restaurants and retailers from ordering them.
Other provinces have also implemented measures targeting U.S. goods.
British Columbia’s Liquor Distribution Branch will halt purchases of American liquor from “red states” and remove top-selling brands from those states in public liquor stores. The provincial government and Crown corporations will prioritize Canadian suppliers.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation will also remove all American alcohol from store shelves by February 4, 2025.
Premier Tim Houston’s office confirmed that the province will restrict American companies from participating in provincial procurement. Officials will explore opportunities to cancel existing contracts and have the discretion to reject American bids. Additionally, tolls for U.S. commercial vehicles at the Cobequid Pass will double starting February 3, 2025.