Saskatchewan’s decision to ban Canadian-made beer from sale threatens Canadian jobs, farmers, and consumer choice
March 21, 2025 – Beer Canada is calling on Premier Moe’s Saskatchewan government to immediately reverse its misguided decision to pull proudly Canadian-brewed beer from store shelves. This heavy-handed market intervention directly harms Canadian businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers while undermining the principles of fair trade, national economic cooperation and consumer choice.
The Saskatchewan government’s decision to ban beer brewed in Canada under the false pretense that it may be perceived as "American-branded" is not only incorrect—it is a direct attack on Canadian values. Saskatchewan is the only Canadian province to target products manufactured in Canada as a response to unjustified American tariffs on Canada. This policy overstep must be reversed at once.
Let’s be clear: The identified beers are all made by largely unionized Canadian workers in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec using Canadian ingredients—including Saskatchewan-grown barley. Blocking these products is an economic gut punch to Saskatchewan’s farmers, retailers, distributors, and hospitality businesses that rely on a strong and competitive beer market.
Beer Canada is aggressively pressing the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to correct this error immediately before irreparable self-inflicted harm is imposed on fellow Canadians. Moreover, the elimination of up to 50% of annual beer sales volumes is estimated to reduce SLGA Net Income and transfers to the provincial Treasury by more than $40 million and reduce overall provincial government revenues by $60 million.
It is non-sensical for Saskatchewan to build new walls around the province while all of Canada’s other Premiers have committed themselves to reducing trade barriers between provinces. Now more than ever, we need a united Team Canada approach that strengthens our economy, not weakens it. Saskatchewan’s beer drinkers deserve the right to be able to choose their favourite Canadian-made beer brand, the same opportunity afforded to consumers in every other province.
Beer Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with Canadians from coast to coast demanding our governments support our workers and businesses by working together to strengthen our national economy in the face of foreign threats to our sovereignty and economy. Canada is strongest when we pull together, not apart.
The time for action is now.
ABOUT BEER CANADA
Beer Canada is the sole national inclusive voice advocating on behalf of Canadian brewers of all sizes and regions and Canadian beer consumers.
Beer Canada’s member companies brew 90% of all beer consumed by Canadians annually. The production, distribution and sale of beer supports 149,000 Canadian jobs, generates $13.6 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $5.7 billion in government tax revenues.
Beer Canada promotes moderate and responsible consumption by those of the legal age and is the authoritative source for data & information on the Canadian beer industry.
