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A new government grant program aimed at giving Alberta’s small distillers a boost is being cheered by the province’s fledgling craft spirits industry, even though it will be modelled on an existing craft beer program that has sparked lawsuits from out-of-province brewers.

The Notley government announced in Thursday’s budget a plan to grow the province’s craft distillery business. While details were not provided, Finance Minister Joe Ceci said it will be modelled on the Alberta Small Brewers Development Program introduced last July.

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“The Alberta small brewery grant program is creating jobs and driving new investment,” Ceci said in his budget address. “This year, we are going to build on the success of our craft brewing program and work to model a similar program for Alberta’s craft distillers.”

The news was applauded by producers of locally made vodka, gin, rum and whiskey. Up until 2013, minimum production requirements in Alberta meant the province had virtually no craft distilling industry to speak of. However, the removal of those minimum requirements has prompted the launch in recent years of approximately a dozen new businesses.