Premier Doug Ford’s latest message is clear: U.S. alcohol remains off Ontario’s shelves while tariff tensions simmer, with no sign the cork will pop any time soon.
Ontario’s government has dug in its heels on the ban of American-made spirits and food in the province’s liquor stores, maintaining a hard stance that links the ban directly to ongoing tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian goods. At a recent press conference, Ford reiterated that until a deal is made, “it’s still going to be banned until they cut the tariffs or we make a deal with them.”
This policy is more than political theatre. It’s a months-long drama that began in March when Canadian provinces—including British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, and all Atlantic and northern territories—chose solidarity over sales, pulling U.S. alcohol from government-run stores. The catalyst: tariffs slapped on Canadian exports, a move credited to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ford’s no-nonsense approach has produced a curious side effect. According to his statements, Ontario’s wine sales are up more than 67 percent—a silver lining for local producers, perhaps, but little comfort for cross-border distillers watching their Canadian market dry up. Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, notes the damage, reporting a 65 percent plunge in U.S. distilled spirit sales to Canada. “The immediate outstanding issue… is hopefully the provinces will consider putting American distilled spirits back on the shelves,” Swonger said, underlining the interconnected nature of the North American beverage industry.
For now, Ontario’s government is in no rush. Ford signalled that there is a window of “a few months before anything expires” in existing stock, but unless tariffs are lifted or a new trade pact materializes, American spirits face a continued freeze-out. The question lingers: will the next deal arrive before bottles gather dust, or will shoppers adapt to a new normal of homegrown options? For Ontario’s drinkers, the wait—and the debate—rolls on.
References:
‘Still going to be banned’: Ford says on U.S. alcohol returning to Ontario shelves
