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Bond responds to Canada’s alleged discrimination against U.S. wines

The U.S. is taking aim at Canada for stocking the province’s grocery store shelves with solely BC wines.

The Obama Administration launched a new trade enforcement action at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Wednesday, stating the action “challenges British Columbia’s (BC) regulations that discriminate against the sale of U.S. wine in grocery stores.”

“When U.S. wine producers have a fair shot at competing on a level playing field, they can compete and win in markets around the globe,” said United States Trade Representative Michael Froman in a prepared statement. “The discriminatory regulations implemented by British Columbia intentionally undermine free and fair competition, and appear to breach Canada’s commitments as a WTO member. Canada and all Canadian provinces, including BC, must play by the rules. This Administration is continuing to fight to level the playing field for American producers and workers, so that we can continue to grow our economy and support quality jobs across the United States.”

BC Jobs Minister and local MLA Shirley Bond believes these allegations are empty.

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“We are confident that we are complying with BC and Canada’s international trade obligations. This is a significant economic issue. The wine industry is a job creator and we’re going to continue to be supportive of the BC wine industry.”

She says the next step in any WTO challenge is consultation.

“We are very confident that we are going to be able to sit down with our US counterparts to have a discussion,” she says, “we look forward to laying out our case with confidence.”

Bond reports the industry creates more than 10,000 jobs and brings in nearly $2 billion to the BC economy a year.

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