Toronto, Feb. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Restaurants Canada is opposed to the Alberta government’s decision to punish small businesses and consumers in a dispute over the Kinder-Morgan pipeline. It is using Alberta consumers and B.C. businesses as pawns and dragging them into and pitting them against each other in a provincial trade war.

Ordering the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to immediately halt B.C. wine imports to Alberta is a reckless decision. Average citizens will pay for this snap judgement.

If restaurants choose not to put a certain wine on their menu, that is their choice. But the precedent just set is dangerous and costly for small businesses and consumers.

“As a country, we are trying to strike down domestic and international trade barriers and this decision moves us in the completely wrong direction,” says Mark von Schellwitz, vice president, Western Canada.

About Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada (previously CRFA) is a growing community of 30,000 foodservice businesses, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and suppliers. We connect our members from coast to coast, through services, research and advocacy for a strong and vibrant restaurant community. Canada’s restaurant industry is an $80 billion industry, directly employs 1.2 million Canadians, is the number one source of first jobs, and serves 18 million customers every day.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/41f61ce9-6e0c-4673-b410-12cb7fdea9b9

Lisa Michaels Restaurants Canada 416-649-4254 media@restaurantscanada.org