Removing U.S. alcohol from Canadian shelves has been a major trade irritant to Donald Trump—which he called “discriminatory measures”— when he announced a fresh set of tariffs on Canada last month.
At the time of this poll, several premiers—including Tim Houston— said that Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked provinces to restock American alcohol on their shelves as Canada finalizes that new trade deal—which completely fell apart over the weekend.
But with the extreme whiplash that we are all experiencing when it comes to this trade war, the issue of U.S. liquor may rear its ugly head at any time, so it’s interesting to see what you guys had to say on this issue. This one wasn’t even close.
Here are the official poll results:
And here are some of our favourite reader responses:
Hell yes! I’ve been missing my Kentucky Bourbon
“Why do Canadians feel it’s necessary to boycott bourbon, which I supported, but when Canadians are crossing the border in increasing numbers for pleasure and business, and likely spending a heck of a lot more than they would on U.S. alcohol? Why are Canadians so hypocritical? I have not set foot in the U.S. since 2016, and I don’t plan to again until they get a proper President.”
“I will buy California Cabernet Sauvignon. Those vintners did not attack Canadians – who are 35% of their customers. Not buying punishes me! About self-sabotage, my Mum advised, “don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.””
“If the trade deal is signed,and american booze on the shelves is a consequence,then I will buy bourbon.”
“Well…I think the message has been sent that .. Canada is a valued consumer of many commodities.. the booze button’ made a difference to the producers to take note of … we in Canada are willing to pay the Upchsrge of many booze items and have missed these items .. I bet … the Liquor Commisions too have missed these items dollars spent on these USA products .. I would be interested in honest reviews of the loss of revenue ,staff hours lessened and costs bonuses to many with in the Organization . I will applaud the NSLC for the contribution to the food banks as recipients of the clearance event in the Province . But.. I am ok with returning USA spirits to Canadian shelves .. Let’s see if when stocks return to Canada .. if the purchases will be positive or not.. then we.. the people .. will give our message of yeah or or not but.. but it will be our voice then ..whew. ”
“There are a few Californian wines that we did enjoy, and if they were brought back to NSLC we would purchase them. If the restocking of American booze gives us Canadians a break on more tariffs… then why not!That being said, we can still live without American liquor.”
“NSLC is stocking some American brands but only if its available yo purchase in Canada so there isn’t a lot currently. But if its available I know many who will purchase. Ironically there are many Canadian whiskies that are great but are also not stocked at local stores. Why Ns why”
“There are amazing Maritime products so why bother go back to US products? Also, while we’re having this debate… can we take a look at why Nova Scotian wineries’ and breweries’ products are being taxed so much bringing them to the same price as other products? Shouldn’t we have less taxes on them in NSLC stores so that we, as Nova Scotians, and possibly more importantly, visitors to our province are buying Nova Scotian made products more frequently?”
“I am also sufficiently mature and educated, not to cut off my nose to spite my face, and that there is a Canadian distillery industry which sells spirits to the U.S.. High protective tariffs help neither country.”
No way! I’ve discovered all sorts of non-American options I like better
“It sounds like Tim Houston is speaking for himself and not the people of Nova Scotia. He should be doing more to shut out US trade. ”
“I miss a beautiful Californian cab sav. I went four years without it last time and I have no problem doing so again. Put it back on the shelves for optics. But for Canada’s sake, don’t buy it. The orange man wont be looking at the sales stats.”
“JD Shore spiced dark rum tastes 100% better than Sailor Jerry spiced rum.”
“I very rarely bought American booze even before his Arseholiness returned to the White House. I “discovered” that I preferred Irish Whiskey and Spanish wine long ago and have done my bit to support local beers and wines.”
“A.B.A. – anything but American!!!”
“Actually I just won’t buy it as I feel Trump is just jerking our chain to see if we’ll bite and he’ll do whatever he wants regardless if we stock the shelves with US booze. I, like many others, will not knowingly buy anything from the US, including booze and food.”
“There are great local N.S. options available. No need to get American booze.”
“Support Local! We often travel to PEI to load up on the great beverages available. We just came back from a trip to NL where we discovered new favourites. We order from BC and Alberta. And don’t get me started on the wonderful selection in Nova Scotia. We do not drink beer or rum. Ciders, wine, vodka, gin and ready made sodas. The whiskey in Alberta is chef’s kiss. We also have a fair bit of international whiskey as well. No US products in my house.”
“Both in support of our country and while discovering new to us Canadian products, we are now strictly Canadian drinkers”
“There are many many options to American alcohol, so why bother with theirs?”
“Put it back to appease the Orange and we just won’t buy it. Win win!”
I just can’t on principle
“I avoid buying anything from ther US as a matter of principal. I have family live there and regret taking such a stand. However, the point that really matters is : trump is not the problem : he is the product. US culture created him, elected him ( twice ), supports him and, truth be told, feeds him policies he’s getting the credit/blame for. Only by sending a message to the US is there any hope for change. We can send him as many messages as we like, he won’t get it.”
“I simply cannot ever support US product until the idiot is gone”
“Same with grocery store items…I look for Canadian first then any other country, but won’t purchase if USA. It doesn’t matter how effective or ineffective that may be is simply feels like the right choice to me.”
“There are enough choices so that US liquor doesn’t need to be one of them. Plus it is very Canadian to, in fact, have principles. I know this may go over the heads of those in the USA whose job seems to be to run a country and a democracy into the ground. ”
“No Way, Jose. Never buying US booze again, unless there is a radical shift in the American caste and brutality system. We boycotted South African wine until they stopped official apartheid. We won’t give in to this.”
“As much as I like a Kentucky bourbon in a smoked old fashioned, ain’t no way in hell. Ever. I’ll continue to make my own.”
“As long as the damaging tariffs exist I won’t consider buying anything American regardless of what is on the shelves”
“I will not knowingly buy anything made or grown in the U.S. again.”
“I never did buy much US alcohol except for some California wines. I don’t like bourbon. Canada now produces excellent wines and spirits. Also, we have exceptional craft beer producers.”
“I’m glad that US booze was removed from liquor stores. Now we need to have free access to alcohol from other provinces. Support to Canadian wineries, breweries and distilleries”
“This may be the MOST important industry to buy Canadian as most of our products the equal if not better than American Keeps profits HERE”
“The Premier of Manitoba nailed it when he said don’t buy it if it’s on the shelf.”
“Don’t trust Trump as far as I could throw him. He can change his mind in mid-stream. We go through the expense of restocking and next week he adds new tariffs or something. Maybe after Trump is out of office”
“I believe most Canadians will continue to abstain from U.S. liquor. I don’t think the province should spend money to restock the shelves, they should agree to carry the product but only on consignment.”
“Trump has proven over and over again that giving his word means nothing. We can’t trust him to follow through on any agreement. The only agreements he likes are the ones that benefit him personally. He doesn’t care about the American people or his country (or any other country)!”
“I know I am only one person, but one person CAN make a difference. Favourites come and go, and we can adapt to new things! ”
“Why would I want to support a country of racists? No thanks to anything from the USA!”
“Fuck trump ”
