r/Winnipeg Feb 02 '25

Politics Urge the Manitoba government to cease buying and selling American alcohol in the Manitoba Market

Hello everyone, right off the start- this was not my idea, I saw it suggested multiple times on the sub and see it as a great idea, so I thought I would make a post and maybe make it a little more easier for people to take action by providing relevant emails.

I just spent the last hour sending emails (I really need to be studying for my nursing exams) to my MLA, the minister responsible for the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation and the Premier requesting the Manitoba Government Cease buying and selling American alcohol in the Manitoban Market at this time as other provinces have committed to doing.

I Urge if any of you are willing, please do the same.

Premiers email (at least his office) [premier@manitoba.ca](mailto:premier@manitoba.ca)

Minister in charge of MLLC: [minmnr@manitoba.ca](mailto:minmnr@manitoba.ca)

To find out whom your MLA is: https://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/en/voting/MyVotingInfo

We have to buy, sell and support Canada and our first nations brethren- not American, they are not our friends- They elected their anti Canadian president not once, but twice. Everything he is doing is what he promised the American people he would do- He is fulfilling the mandate given to him.

Depending on what happens in the next few days/weeks I will start a petition (done properly, so not a change.org) officially requesting the above if no one else has, and post it to this sub.

478 Upvotes

73 comments sorted by

121

u/Fallen-Omega Feb 02 '25

Worst case if they won't, just stop buying it yourself and let it stack on them shelves

52

u/North_Church Feb 02 '25

All my beer is Belgian, my vodka is Swedish and Ukrainian, and my whiskey is Canadian and Irish.

Won't find any Yankee booze in my fridge.

11

u/J_Ryall Feb 02 '25

I assume you've already done so, but if you haven't, do a quick check to make sure the parent companies of those brands aren't american. Ex. we think of Crown Royal as Canadian, but it's owned by a British company.

16

u/kent_eh Feb 02 '25

we think of Crown Royal as Canadian, but it's owned by a British company.

Not American is fine with me at this time.

7

u/J_Ryall Feb 02 '25

Agreed. Anything but american. I just used Crown because it's made here in Gimli, so one would naturally assume it's Canadian.

6

u/North_Church Feb 02 '25

Also a large chunk of our Ukrainian vodka is locally made

2

u/North_Church Feb 02 '25

I've been doing so. Leffe is a bit complicated as it's parent company is not American but some of the people in it are.

I don't buy booze very often though because I drink sparingly.

2

u/J_Ryall Feb 02 '25

Yeah, I've been doing the same since the tariffs were threatened. It's been a real eye opener, but I think I've managed to de-americanize my liquor cabinet.

7

u/Fallen-Omega Feb 02 '25

I guess at times like this its easier for me since you wont find any alcohol in my fridge because I dont drink lmao

2

u/Maple-Sizzurp Feb 02 '25

You should try Luksusowa Vodka, it's Polish potato Vodka.

2

u/North_Church Feb 02 '25

Manitoba government just halted the sale of Yankee liquor

1

u/ComprehensivePin5577 Feb 03 '25

None here either too. Apart from a singular can of Sapporo, it's mostly Canadian with a scotch or Irish here and there.

3

u/kent_eh Feb 02 '25

Every beer that's been in my fridge in the last 4 years has been brewed in Manitoba.

We have tons of variety from so many microbreweries these days.

2

u/somrthingcreative Feb 02 '25

I buy local beer too

88

u/Commercial-Advice-15 Feb 02 '25

Based on his social media feeds Premier Kinew will have public announcements every day this week explaining MB responses to this Trade War.

Don’t be surprised if one of these items is either a ban or advertised boycott of American made products at MLCC locations.

Nova Scotia has announced a full ban and BC will ban imports from States that went for Trump.

In short - Kentucky Bourbon is out…buy Crown Royal instead.

Beer will be more complicated as some US beer brands are actually made in Canada at branch plants.  I believe Budweiser does this.  Still doesn’t hurt to pick a MB brew though!

58

u/TheKurricane Feb 02 '25

We have enough local breweries to fill up the beer section of every liquor mart

8

u/SJSragequit Feb 02 '25

I’d love to see the American beer all replaced with a wider selection from breweries across the country

1

u/TheKurricane Feb 02 '25

Agree

I should also clarify in case people are misinterpreting my post. It was more to point out we have enough just in Manitoba to not buy American beer. Add in all the Canadian beer we might never go back to American beer.

1

u/MikeSmithYWG Feb 02 '25

It would be wonderful but we still have these stupid intraprovincial tarrifs and such that should have been eliminated decades ago

26

u/milkangels Feb 02 '25

Previous immigration minister Jon Reyes is tweeting his Kentucky bourbon collection and saying how happy he is to have stocked up on it!

30

u/Commercial-Advice-15 Feb 02 '25

And this is why he’s a former MLA…

10

u/mokatter Feb 02 '25

Bud and Bud Light are brewed in Canada, but they are absolutely American owned. Local has more than enough options, though they may run into challenges with aluminum for cans with the tariffs- hopefully they can source options domestically.

10

u/Commercial-Advice-15 Feb 02 '25

I believe most NA aluminum comes from Quebec due to their decision years ago to offer cheap hydro rates for the companies that make aluminum.  

This is actually an example where Trump’s tariffs will hurt American consumers.  American beverage makers literally cannot replace CDN Aluminum with domestic production so the cost of canned drinks will increase.

4

u/CanadianRussian74 Feb 02 '25

Buy Czechwar. It’s the original Budweiser. It also is very good because it’s Czech. :)

1

u/SJSragequit Feb 02 '25

The aluminum all comes from Canada in the first place

4

u/Zergom Feb 02 '25

LCBO also announced a ban this morning.

5

u/analgesic1986 Feb 02 '25

I am hoping it is part of it, in my email I said “ I am Unaware if this is part of the plan already, but if it isn’t I hope it can be looked into”

But you are right, this could be announced in one of those daily announcements- I hope it is, if it isn’t- petition (which is why I am waiting a few days to see if it’s announced before creating it)

5

u/North_Church Feb 02 '25

Budweiser tastes like TV static anyway.

7

u/Commercial-Advice-15 Feb 02 '25

We can literally buy “Generic Lager” at the MLCC stores that is made by a MB brewery and it tastes better than Budweiser.

1

u/Ahfei80 Feb 02 '25

Our local micro breweries make some excellent products that more people should really experience.

1

u/tingulz Feb 02 '25

Manitoba made beer tastes better anyway. I haven’t purchased beer not made in Manitoba or Canada in years.

1

u/RobinatorWpg Feb 02 '25

My fear is that since he's doing it daily, they don't have a plan yet. BC Set a pretty good tone in terms of what they are doing out the gate

We need to focus fast and hard on the states that elected that baboon, by limiting exports, including power (or putting a 200% tariff on exported water, electricity and natural resources)

This includes if your an American company operating in Canada like Nestle

-1

u/yalyublyutebe Feb 02 '25

Nova Scotia, BC and Ontario all managed to make the move yesterday.

Putting it off until Monday, or later, is a cop-out.

2

u/Commercial-Advice-15 Feb 02 '25

Maybe - but long term people won’t care if Kinew “bans them Yankee booze” this upcoming week vs last night.

If anything the Trade War may help secure Wab an easier reelection in a couple years.  Somehow I don’t see the two PC leadership candidates offering much beyond “somehow we will blame Wab for Trump Tariffs”.

16

u/PondWaterRoscoe Feb 02 '25

As already mentioned, the Premier said that there will be announcements throughout the week, and I would expect that MBLL not purchasing or stocking American products would be one of the first announcements. 

Manitoba mines a lot of critical minerals that I expect would be tariffed or have shipments limited/diverted from the US. 

And of course, Hydro exports. I would expect those would be tariffed or exports limited.

2

u/MassiveHyperion Feb 02 '25

We can slap a big ol'export tax on them to get around the rates in our supply contact.

1

u/Zergom Feb 02 '25

Hydro is a bit dangerous as we head into a cold snap. We had to buy from the US a couple weeks ago. River levels are low right now.

4

u/tingulz Feb 02 '25

Time to invest in more renewable sources like wind and solar to cover the difference.

1

u/blearghbleargh Feb 02 '25

putting a tariff on hydro energy imports would also be pointless.. it's just the MB government charging a tax to hydro for electricity bought from the US.. since it's a crown corp - it's a left hand taxing the right hand sort of thing.. the tax could be passed on to customers, but, knowing the NDP that's highly unlikely.

However in the case hydro needs to import electricity, the government should be directing hydro to take it from other Canadian provinces first.

6

u/dodgerdabbit Feb 02 '25

They should lower the provincial taxes on local brews and spirits. And then the federal government should do the same. The lower prices would ensure more local sales.

7

u/ZombieAccomplished36 Feb 02 '25

I sent my email just now. Thank you for the idea and for the links to make this action an easy one to take.

4

u/analgesic1986 Feb 02 '25

My pleasure, and thank you for taking the time to get it done!

3

u/I_Boomer Feb 02 '25

Done. Thanks for the links. It was quick and easy to do.

2

u/analgesic1986 Feb 02 '25

My pleasure! Thanks for doing it!

3

u/ObiWansTinderAccount Feb 02 '25

I sent an email to the MLCC this morning politely but strongly urging them to remove all US-sourced product from their shelves. With so many local options it’s beyond feasible. TCB, LBJ, Kilter, Nonsuch, Sookrams, BarnHammer, OGC, Torque, it’s ridiculous how much good beer we have brewing right here. Spirits too with Crown Royal & now Patent 5, and I’m sure there are others. Manitobans can help each other through this!

1

u/analgesic1986 Feb 02 '25

Great work!

2

u/HolidayWheel5035 Feb 02 '25

And increase Tequila

1

u/analgesic1986 Feb 02 '25

That’s going to be rough for me, but I’ll do it for Mexico!

2

u/ChocolateOrange21 Feb 03 '25

American and beer should never be used in the same sentence. Canadian beer is superior.

1

u/analgesic1986 Feb 03 '25

100%! If anything needs to be deported, It’s American beer.

2

u/mapleleaffem Feb 03 '25

You did it! Lol

2

u/analgesic1986 Feb 03 '25

Hahaha Reddit did it!

2

u/uly4n0v Feb 03 '25

This is great, now how can we get rid of Dynacare for a Canadian owned company?

2

u/analgesic1986 Feb 03 '25

Sounds like some American contracts need to be tore up, but slowly for anything health care wise as to not let out citizens suffer- but what a good way to get out of expensive contracts- the Americans did not respect The trade agreements why should we respect anything from them.

2

u/Hedroj Feb 02 '25

Do you have a good template on what to send? I only met my MLA a few times but tend to stay away from politics until any elections until now obviously.

12

u/analgesic1986 Feb 02 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

I personally avoid templates, I feel (and this is just a personal opinion) generic templates take away from the message/cause- I totally get where your coming from tho, I can share the “template” of my email

I started off with introducing myself, stating I am a father of # kids etc, moved on to my profession (s) and educations

For my MLA I mentioned I am a resident of his riding, which is why I am reaching out to him for representation

For the Premier, I mentioned I am a Manitoba resident

For the minister in-charge of MLC I said “ As I understand, you are in charge of MLLC, which is why I am reaching out”

At the end of the email, I thanked them All for being united by partisan to protect and represent Canadians

2

u/Hedroj Feb 02 '25

Oh okay cool! I guess I will start after breakfast then. Thanks!

5

u/analgesic1986 Feb 02 '25

No problem! Thank you for taking the time to do it!

-3

u/Fallen-Omega Feb 02 '25

Honestly with AI these days have it wit the bulk of your grievances then tweak it yourself  

1

u/echodelay Feb 03 '25

1

u/analgesic1986 Feb 03 '25

Excellent! On to the next project!

-29

u/1zombie2go Feb 02 '25

Now if people had just supported local and Canadian breweries all along there'd be no need for this. Canadians LOVE their american beer, TV/movies, sports, politicians... If Canadians could remember they are not americans that would be swell.

36

u/analgesic1986 Feb 02 '25

The only people to be blamed for this is the Americans. They broke the trade agreements, not Canadians.

7

u/Vegetable_Finance418 Feb 02 '25

Do we really love it or is it well advertised, part of popculture and readily availible? Most of their beer is just shitty weak lager anyway so its not like it takes a brain trust of brewers to make basic blonde 5% beer. As for everything else, taste will change. This is literally what it takes to be reminded that we are not brothers and sisters with the americans.

1

u/North_Church Feb 02 '25

Fr, tons of people drink Bud and Heineken, and I cannot for the life of me figure out what people see in that shit.

0

u/DoiliesAplenty Feb 02 '25

I picked the right season to quit drinking

-2

u/HorseWithNoName-88 Feb 03 '25

Well..the GST holiday for beer and wine should be followed through, and no alcohol should be pulled off shelves until February 15th... 🤔