A Conservative Member of Parliament has introduced a private member’s bill aimed at allowing Canadians to receive alcohol shipments across provincial borders through Canada Post.
The bill, put forward by Conservative MP Dan Albas, proposes an amendment to the Canada Post Corporation Act to remove current restrictions that prevent direct interprovincial delivery of alcohol to consumers. If passed, the change would allow beer, wine, and spirits produced in one province to be shipped legally to customers in another through the national postal service.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized existing internal trade barriers within Canada. He argued that trade between provinces is often more restricted than trade with foreign countries. According to Poilievre, current rules still make it illegal for Canada Post to deliver Canadian alcohol products in six provinces.
The issue comes as federal and provincial governments have recently pledged to reduce internal trade restrictions. During the spring federal election campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to establish “free trade” within Canada by Canada Day.
Earlier this year, Parliament passed Bill C-5, a broad piece of legislation designed to lower federal barriers to interprovincial trade and accelerate approvals for major infrastructure projects. The bill officially became law on June 26.
However, Poilievre says the new law has not yet delivered meaningful change in the alcohol sector. He argues that the main obstacle is the outdated Canada Post legislation, which he believes should be amended to support freer trade within the country.
The Conservative leader is now urging the federal government to update the law and allow Canada Post to ship Canadian alcohol products nationwide, saying the move would benefit consumers and local producers alike.
