Minister Valdez and Secretary of State Belanger highlight measures to support Saskatchewan brewers, distillers and winemakers

REGINA, SK, May 20, 2026 /CNW/ - The changing economy is creating uncertainty for businesses and workers, and the Government of Canada is responding accordingly, with a focus on what we can control: building a stronger economy at home, protecting Canadian jobs and sectors, and making life more affordable.

Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), and the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, visited District Brewing Company in Regina, Saskatchewan, to highlight the two-year extension of alcohol excise duty relief for brewers, distillers and winemakers. By renewing these measures, the federal government is providing relief to Canadian businesses, particularly local craft breweries, that contribute to jobs and local economies.

The government's combined measures are offsetting rising costs for an additional two years, starting April 1, 2026, in two ways:

• First, the government is capping inflationary increases: The annual inflation adjustment on beer, spirit and wine excise duties will remain capped at 2%.
• Second, we are providing targeted relief to craft brewers: The excise duty rate each brewer pays on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer brewed in Canada will remain cut by half.

Together, these two measures are expected to provide more than $30 million in total relief through to 2028. For a craft brewery, reducing the excise duty rate by half on the first 15,000 hectolitres represents up to about $90,000 in additional tax savings in the 2026–27 fiscal year alone.

Today's extensions will at once better support Saskatchewan's world class brewers, distillers and winemakers; protect Canadian jobs; help mitigate cost pressures; and ensure Canadians can enjoy the best Canada has to offer, with limited tax increases.

Quotes

"The federal government is standing behind Canada's breweries, distilleries and wineries as they navigate rising costs and economic uncertainty. By extending this relief, we are providing stability at a critical moment, helping small and medium-sized businesses in Saskatchewan focus on what matters most: growing their operations, supporting local workers and keeping our economy strong and resilient.
– The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

"Across Saskatchewan, local breweries, distilleries and wineries are doing more than making great products--they're creating jobs, drawing people to our downtowns and main streets, and contributing to local economies. Extending this relief helps take some pressure off local producers so they can keep serving up Saskatchewan-made products people are proud of."
– The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development

Quick facts

• The Canadian Craft Brewers Association estimates there are nearly 1,200 small and independent craft breweries and brewpubs and their suppliers across Canada. They support nearly 30,000 jobs and contribute $1.7 billion to the country's gross domestic product.
• In March 2024, the federal government announced it would cap the inflation adjustment at 2% for beer, spirit and wine excise duties for an additional two years. In addition, for two years, the government cut by half the excise duty rate each brewer pays on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer brewed in Canada. These measures are being extended to protect Canadian brewers, distillers and winemakers today.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Extending alcohol excise duty relief to support Canadian businesses
• Legislative Proposals Relating to the Excise Act and the Excise Act, 2001

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Erin Quevillon, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]