U.S. liquor stays off shelves, because British Columbians are irate over tariffs: Eby

Americans want their alcohol back on B.C. shelves and have launched a new war of words over tariffs.

VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier David Eby says his province will keep U.S. liquor off store shelves because British Columbians are still angry over tariffs on various industries, including softwood lumber.

The premier made the comments in light of the latest jab from U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

He told a U.S. Senate committee that Canada’s alcohol ban is “insulting,” a comment that earned him a sharp rebuke from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who blamed the Trump administration for insulting Canadians.

Eby says it is “totally absurd” that European and Russian timber are receiving preferential access to the United States, while that country charges tariffs of up to 45 per cent on Canadian timber.

The premier says he has made that point to all American representatives, including U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra during his visit last month, and repeated it again during his conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a congressional committee this week that it could take “enforcement action” against Canada if American alcohol isn’t returned to store shelves.

Alberta and Saskatchewan are selling U.S. liquor imports, while other provinces continue to abstain.

The softwood lumber dispute is the reason why B.C. won’t stock U.S. liquor, “no ifs, and or bourbons about it,” Eby quipped.

Carney has said that lifting the liquor ban depends on the United States addressing tariffs on Canadian steel, autos and lumber.

When asked whether the ban had become a national effort involving the federal government, Ontario, Quebec, and B.C., Eby says each province has specific reasons.

“I think the Americans think this is a co-ordinated thing,” Eby said. “The reality is British Columbians are pissed off by our industry being attacked, our families losing jobs for absolutely no reason to prefer Russian and European lumber to Canadian lumber. It’s ridiculous and liquor won’t go back on shelves until it is addressed.”

This report by Wolfgang Depner of The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2026.