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By Perrin Beatty and Dan Paszkowski

Canadians can buy almost any good from another province, but not wine. With the exception of Manitoba, the laws against out-of-province direct-to-consumer shipments stand firm due to liquor retailers who want wine (as well as beer and spirits) sales to go through them as much as possible.

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In 2012, the federal government took steps to remove the wine barriers by amending the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act (1928). The amendments were unanimously passed in Parliament, and allowed wine to be personally transported or couriered into any province or territory for personal consumption, as defined by the jurisdiction.

The response from the provinces to protect revenues from their liquor board monopolies was lightning quick. Laws and policies across the country were amended to restrict to low levels the personal-use volume exemption for wine that is transported on one’s person. New Brunswick has the lowest Canadian personal-use exemption, of one bottle, while Alberta set an unlimited volume.