Andrew Weaver says it’s incredibly petty that the Alberta NDP government has chosen to go after small business in B.C. File photo. (Mike McArthur/CBC News)
B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver is calling on the provincial government take immediate mitigation steps to help provide support for wineries in the province.
Weaver’s request comes after Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said the province will no longer be importing wine from British Columbia.
The move is part of a growing dispute over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion that would carry more Alberta oilsands bitumen to the B.C. coast.
B.C. has called for more consultation on oil spill readiness in response to Kinder Morgan Canada’s $7.4-billion proposal, which would triple the capacity of an existing line running from near Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C.
“The B.C. Green Caucus is 100 per cent behind the government’s decision to ensure that major decisions are based on sound evidence – something that was not the case in the approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline,” Weaver said.
“It is incredibly petty that the Alberta NDP government has chosen to go after small business in B.C. in response and we hope all British Columbians will we stand with us in support of our coastline and in support of our wineries.”
Alberta has said it will not negotiate to import electricity from its western neighbour, including that produced by the Site C hydroelectric megaproject in the northeastern B.C.
Notley also announced Friday the creation of a high-profile task force aimed at defending Alberta jobs from B.C.’s “attack” on Trans Mountain, although she has not specified how the group will act.
Weaver said the specific mitigation measures supported by the B.C. Greens are:
- Launch a “Drink Local” program to encourage British Columbians to buy wine from B.C. wineries, including a promotional campaign in B.C. Liquor Stores and a province wide advertising campaign to encourage the purchase of 100 per cent B.C. craft alcohol.
- Explore whether wholesale prices could be provided to licenced restaurants to encourage the purchase and promotion of wine for B.C. wineries.
- Provide funding to increase B.C. VQA export sales in other Canadian provinces and to international markets
“B.C.’s wine industry is a provincial treasure that brings significant tourism and economic activity to our province,” Weaver said.
“More than that, it represents the best of our province – innovators who have developed their businesses into an internationally renowned region. Today we are calling for the provincial government to take decisive action to support these businesses who have been unfairly targeted by a neighbouring government.”
CHEK News
