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Saskatchewan’s economy minister blasted Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and her governing NDP for jeopardizing the future of Saskatchewan’s brewing industry with a “protectionist” tax on beer made outside Alberta.

“Make no mistake, the massive Alberta NDP tax hike on Sask.-produced beer was nothing less than a declaration of war on Saskatchewan-produced beer,” Jeremy Harrison told reporters at 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Co. on Thursday in Saskatoon.

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In August, Alberta ditched a graduated markup meant to protect small brewers and instead imposed a $1.25-per-litre tax on all beer sold in that province. The markup will be offset by grants for Alberta-based brewers.

Harrison said the policy reflects a growing protectionist sentiment in Alberta that flies in the face of the rest of the country’s shift toward globalization and open trade.

The Saskatchewan government “got nowhere” when it attempted to reason with Notley and dissuade her government from imposing the new tax, he said.