Ontario, N.S. and B.C. to pull American booze from liquor store shelves as Canadian premiers decry Trump's tariffs

Ontario, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and other provinces across the country are pushing back after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on virtually all Canadian goods. Many premiers have urged Canadians to boycott American-made products, with some announcing plans to pull products from shelves early this coming week.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has ordered the LCBO to strip all shelves of American products in response to the tariffs. "Every year, LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers. Not anymore," he said in a statement on Sunday morning. "Starting Tuesday, we're removing American products from LCBO shelves.

"There's never been a better time to choose an amazing Ontario-made or Canadian-made product."

Ford is running for re-election on Feb. 27, calling for a snap election this past week and insisting Ontario won't be vulnerable amid a looming trade war with the U.S. Earlier on Saturday, Ford warned of difficult times ahead, saying "the coming weeks and months will be some of the toughest we've ever faced" and that "the impact of these tariffs will be felt almost immediately."

Other Canadian premiers also decried Trump's tariffs. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston also made a statement Saturday evening, directing the province's liquor corporation — the NSLC — to pull American-made booze from its shelves starting Tuesday.

"It's remarkable to find ourselves at odds with our best friend and neighbour. ... I will do everything I can to protect the interests of hard-working Nova Scotians and their families," Houston said Saturday.

He added the Maritime province will also "limit access to provincial procurement for American businesses" and look for opportunities to cancel existing contracts. Additionally, the province plans to double the toll cost at Cobequid Pass, a tolled section of the highway into Nova Scotia, for commercial vehicles from the U.S. starting Monday.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said over the weekend that Trump had betrayed the "historic bond" between Canada and the U.S., adding his province would be mounting a three-pronged response. That includes strengthening B.C.'s economy and diversifying the province's trade markets.

Eby also ordered BC Liquor Stores to "immediately stop buying American liquor from red states."

"Just the liquor purchasing that we do here in British Columbia is $3.5 billion. We are — depending on how you do the math — in the top five puchasers of alcohol products in the world," Eby told reporters Saturday, adding the province will be prioritizing purchases from other jurisdictions and parts of Canada over American products.

"These tariffs will force Canada into procuring from other countries."

While other premiers haven't officially announced they're planning to strip U.S. products from liquor store shelves, many have stated they're considering doing so — and taking other steps to protect Canadians.

"Every single day this week, our government is going to be announcing new steps to protect your jobs and to safeguard our economy here at home," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Saturday. "On a personal level, if you want to find ways to fight back, shop local and buy Canadian. ... Trump's tariff tax is an attack on Canada and who we are."

Last week, Quebec Premier François Legault and his finance minister said they were considering removing American wine from SAQ shelves, but didn't want to "provoke" Trump. "We're not ruling that out, but we're not there," Legault told reporters Wednesday.

On Saturday night, Legault said his government will take actions to help small businesses. He added that the tariffs could be an opportunity for Quebec companies to "replace American products" and develop new markets. However, he warned the coming months and years will change Quebec's economy and urged people to buy Quebec-made products.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith noted in a statement she was "disappointed" with Trump's tariff decision. "This decision will harm Canadians and Americans alike, and strain the important relationship and alliance between our two nations," she said.

"Alberta will, however, continue to strenuously oppose any effort to ban exports to the U.S. or to tax our own people and businesses on goods leaving Canada for the United States. Such tactics would hurt Canadians far more than Americans."

On Saturday night, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that Canada would slap a retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods. There will be an immediate $30 billion implemented on Tuesday, and the remaining $125 billion in 21 days.

"If President Trump wants to usher in a new golden age for the United States, the better path is to partner with Canada. Not to punish us," Trudeau said.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he believes it's unlikely Canada can escape Trump's 25 per cent tariffs before they come into effect. "I'm very pessimistic that by Tuesday we can get out," he said during CTV's Question Period.