Bill C-262: Letting Canada Be Its Own Best Customer

In my report last week, I provided an update on “Bailey’s Law” and noted that it had passed committee stage review with amendments and would be returning to the House of Commons for third reading. As I have mentioned throughout, I continue to strongly support this Bill, and I will provide further updates on its progress as it moves forward, with the hope that it ultimately receives royal assent and is passed into law.

I also briefly mentioned my own private member’s bill, Bill C 262, “An Act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act.” Before going further, I want to address a fair question that often comes up whenever a private member introduces legislation: is this really your biggest priority?

The short answer is no—and that is exactly the point.

An MP’s job is not to pursue only one issue at a time, but to work on multiple files, particularly where Parliament has a clear ability to act, while continuing to address the many other priorities facing our country and our community. That is what representation looks like in practice.

For those who may not be familiar with Bill C 262, I am proposing legislative changes that would allow Canada Post to deliver Canadian beer, wine, and spirits directly to consumers across provincial borders. Today, a patchwork system of federal and provincial rules largely prohibits “intoxicating beverages” from being shipped by common carriers to a majority of provinces. This prevents many Canadians from ordering alcohol produced elsewhere in Canada.

This is a long standing barrier to interprovincial trade, and it is one area where the federal government can act directly. Parliament has authority over Canada Post and interprovincial shipping and commerce, and Bill C 262 would remove a federal barrier that is entirely within our control.

During the last election, constituents made it clear to me that they wanted Canada to be less dependent on the United States and to see more trade happen within Canada itself. Bill C 262 does exactly that, which is why I believe the Liberal government immediately issued its initial support of the idea.

Here in the Okanagan, we are fortunate to produce some of the world’s best wines, along with award winning spirits and craft beers. This sector has become an important part of our local economy, supporting agriculture, tourism, and many related industries that benefit from significant private investment in our region.

One local producer summed up the problem well when they told me that, under the current rules, it is easier for them to ship wine to London, England than to London, Ontario—despite the fact that British Columbia allows these shipments from Ontario producers. That situation is not fair to Okanagan producers, nor does it make sense for a country that should be its own best customer. As a proud Canadian, it seems wrong to him that his sales to the United States are increasing, as these barriers block him from selling into the largest markets in his own country. It’s also patently unfair as BC already allows wine from other parts of Canada, but Ontario and Quebec, our two largest provinces are off limits. That’s not how a country should treat its own, and it’s disrespectful to the many Okanagan families who have to compete in such an unlevel playing field.

I often receive a significant amount of feedback on my weekly reports, both positive and negative. I make a point of reading every comment, returning every phone call, and hosting meetings when requested. This is part of being accountable, because citizens deserve to be heard. I believe that questions from critics deserve answers no different than those from supporters.

Bill C 262 is important to some of my constituents, and it addresses a real problem with a practical, modest solution. The Bill  will not solve every internal trade barrier in Canada, but it removes one that Parliament has clear authority to fix—and it does so in a way that supports consumers, small producers, and our local economy.

In my view, anything that we can reasonably do as elected officials to support local industries and remove unnecessary barriers is worth examining. This is work I can advance while continuing to focus on many other important issues at the same time. Multi tasking is simply part of what being a modern day elected official requires.

That is why I often close my weekly reports with a question. This week, my question to you is: what is your priority that you believe the federal government should act on?

Please join the discussion online at my Facebook page. Alternatively, you can reach me directly at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or toll free at 1.800.665.8711.