Conservative MP weighs in on B.C.-Alberta trade dispute

Feb 18, 2018 | 12:54 PM

KAMLOOPS — Conservative MP Dan Albas says the Prime Minister is letting down B.C. wineries by allowing Premier John Horgan to halt the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. 

Albas, who represents the riding of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, says small family wineries may lose their business if Alberta’s ban on BC wine continues. 

“I know people that will lose their shirt, their family business if this continues,” Albas said. “For some of the larger wineries they may be able to move to other jurisdictions and sell that product. But, I know small family wineries that have worked very hard to get the Alberta market, and if a restaurant can’t get their wine they’re just going to kick them off the wine list and get someone else from Ontario or whatnot.” 

Albas says the B.C. wine industry is “being held hostage as part of a series of strategies for electoral votes.”