Skip to content

Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce to Advocate for Policy Changes Impacting the Wine and Grape Sector

February 19, 2019

Wendy Bretz

On February 8, 2019, the WERCC submitted a policy resolution to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce called: Changes to Alcohol Retail in Ontario Needs to Support Local Industry and Jobs in the Wine and Grape Sector.

As the Ontario government considers new retail for wine in the province, it is essential that the government uses this opportunity to ensure Ontario grape growers and wineries are able to grow their businesses, contribute to the provincial and regional economies, and create local jobs.  Key to ensuring the future growth of the Ontario grape and wine sector is:

  • Eliminating the 35% import tax;
  • Eliminating the 6.1% retail store tax on domestically produced wine;
  • Ensure direct delivery of all Ontario wine to new retail opportunities; and
  • Not trading the current retail monopoly for a grocery led oligopoly.

The resolution received hearty support from many other chambers with vested interest in the wine and grape sector. Co-sponsors for the resolution include: Leamington Chamber of Commerce, Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and Grimsby Chamber of Commerce.

The proposed resolution will be brought to a vote at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting May 3-6, 2019. To read the full version of the resolution, please visit www.windsoressexchamber.org – news – chamber news.

-30-

For more information contact:

Wendy Bretz, Executive Assistant & Communications Coordinator

Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce

wbretz@windsoressexchamber.org

(519) 966-3696 ext. 228

 

As the “Voice of Business,” the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce represents over 700 business members.  Our membership profile truly represents a cross-section of the business interests in our community.  We actively work with government to ensure the business and investment climate in our region remains competitive and believe that any issues that restrict our ability to attract new business or expand existing business must be resolved.