Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

SUPPORT LOCAL

Local liquor sales shifting with Buy Canadian movement

Mar 11, 2025 | 4:34 PM

KAMLOOPS — Government-owned liquor stores have again pulled American-made products off their shelves in response to the ongoing tariff dispute between the U.S. and Canada. For privately-owned shops, the focus is on encouraging customers to buy local.

In BC, private liquor stores can only purchase stock through the government-controlled BC Liquor Distribution Branch so, for Rob Wiggins, owner of Pogue Mahone Irish Alehouse and Liquor Store, products currently on the shelves, including American-made drinks, have already been bought and paid for by a Canadian business. After those items sell, it’s unclear whether they’ll be restocked.

While there is U.S. product still on the shelves in many privately-run shops, Wiggins says the business is already moving to enhance its Canadian-made options.

“We’ve got the directive from the BC government that it is not purchasing U.S products right now so that supply chain is going to empty out and like I say, once it’s gone, it’s gone,” says Wiggins. “Who knows if that’s going to change tomorrow, but as of right now, that’s what we’ve been told.”

Stay Ahead of the Curve with Kamloops' Trusted Property Manager - Rohit Kumar

May 20, 2025

Two and Out

PETERS: Funny how some psychoactive substances are acceptable in public and some aren't

Jun 13, 2025

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Should Kamloops drivers get a hybrid or go fully electric?

Jun 13, 2025

Wiggins says there’s a lot of confusion about what the impact the U.S. tariff threat will have, but recent buyer behaviour has shown a noticeable increase in the demand for Canadian, B.C., and locally-made drinks.

“That demand for local products has always been growing anyways, so this is just something that pushes it forward a little bit more and helps local producers,” adds Wiggins.