This could be Nova Scotia’s last chance to buy Yankee booze for the foreseeable future.
On Thursday, Premier Tim Houston announced that American liquor taken off Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. store shelves in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war will be put back. The booze will be sold off and the profits sent to Feed Nova Scotia and other food banks.
But no more American booze will be ordered while the U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports remain in place.
“We remain committed to a Team Canada approach to tariffs and trade. We will not be ordering any more from the United States once this inventory is gone,” said Houston in a news release.
“But Nova Scotians have already paid for this product. We don’t want it to go to waste. That’s why we’re selling it and using the proceeds to help those in need.”
The $14 million in inventory consists mainly of wine and spirits such as whiskey. The provincial government estimates its sale will generate a $4-million return.
Instead of waiting for the booze to be sold and the money recouped, the province will send $4 million to Feed Nova Scotia and other groups providing community food access over the coming weeks.
In a written statement , the NSLC said that warehoused American products will begin going back on its shelves on Dec. 1. Agency stores, private wine and specialty stores, along with bars and restaurants will also be able to order from this inventory as of Dec. 1.