As of Oct 17th, 2009, Prince Edward Island has legally and formally approved in-store winery services to Island wine consumers. To review the provincial government’s press release, visit: www.peilcc.ca
PEI is the fourth province to offer this type of license, joining Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. It is expected that New Brunswick will be implementing a formal licensing format in support of the already existing in-store winery industry later this year.
Owners of PEI consumer-made wine stores are now on a level playing field with their counterparts in News Brunswick. Store owners will have the opportunity to allow wine consumers to rent equipment, space and expertise and make their choice of wines in-store.
Kudos to the PEI government. They should be commended for exemplifying long-term vision and fulfilling their desire to support small business. There are no losers in the government’s decision to permit in-store winery services in PEI. Store owners will now hire more employees, rent more space, collect and pay more taxes. More consumers will be introduced to winemaking and the joys and health benefits of drinking wine responsibly. Local and regional wineries and licensed establishments will also reap long term benefits from a more knowledgeable and expanded wine consumer base.
As a Nova Scotian self-employed in the same consumer-made wine industry, I can’t help but wonder why I and others in our industry feel that every day is April Fool’s Day in Nova Scotia?
For many years, we as a regional association have lobbied the NS government to endorse the introduction of in-store winery service in Nova Scotia. To date we have been given far too many lame and near-sighted excuses to list as to why this has not happened.
Nova Scotian consumers are no different than PEI or NB consumers. There are no real or obvious reasons why Nova Scotia consumers are not afforded the same general services as those offered in other Atlantic provinces. We all recall when Sunday shopping was a no-no in NS. Fire & brimstone were not the order of the day once the NS government was forced into opening its mind, eyes and liquor store doors to Sunday shopping.
When dealing with government officials we are not asking to offer a service not available in other neighbouring provinces. Nor are we asking for tax payer’s money in the form of government hand-outs. Not unlike our neighbouring provinces, we would create employment, we would collect fees and taxes and pay our way in the business community. We in the industry are well aware that Nova Scotians want and would use in-store winery service if it were permitted.
So what are the real reasons why in-store winery services are yet to be permitted in NS? I could venture a guess or two and not be too far off the mark, but rather than guess as to why this has not yet happened, I would rather share an observation.
It’s become apparent that resisting change and remaining status quohas become commonplace with numerous consecutive NS governments.
There are many examples of this but none better than our antiquated liquor laws. These laws are a product of the post-Prohibition era. They were written in bygone days to combat bootleggers and rumrunners. Despite the passage of time there is very little political will to make changes in the name of modernization and improvement. In which other province has a person been charged and found guilty for illegal sales of alcohol without a license for selling a wine making kit whose contents are non-alcohol based? In which other province is it required for retailers to obtain an operating license to sell a non-alcohol based wine or beer kit? A product many retailers, big & small, have been selling for many, many years without the need of a permit? This does not border on the absurd. It is absurd!! Yet the NS government considers it the order of the day!
Without political will for change, Nova Scotia will remain a have-not province for many years to come. Businesses and investors will continue to be enticed and gravitate to more business friendly provinces. This has been a known and recognized trend in various business circles for numerous years.
As a long-term investor in the consumer-made wine industry, I have eight franchise businesses in the Atlantic region. Six of these well-established and successful franchise businesses are located in New Brunswick. Two others are in Nova Scotia. Two new outlets will be open for business in PEI next year. For numerous reasons, including pride in ownership and convenience, I would very much like to expand my investments in my home province. Regrettably, it simply does not make any business sense to do so. Unlike the people of the gentle island who are now LOL, we in Nova Scotia remain SOL.
Cheers and good luck to all Islanders impacted by this decision!
Blair Sampson
Wine Kitz Atlantic
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