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Alberta government ‘disappointed’ by leak, will review beer tax policy

Click to play video: 'Joe Ceci ‘disappointed’ by leak, will review beer tax policy'
Joe Ceci ‘disappointed’ by leak, will review beer tax policy
WATCH: Speaking in Calgary on Thursday, Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci said he was disappointed by an information leak on a report into the province's beer tax – Aug 3, 2017

Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci says he’s disappointed a report on the province’s beer tax policy was leaked and he’ll be taking time to review the findings.

Ceci said Thursday that the government should have had almost a month to privately review the findings of the three-member Agreement on Internal Trade panel, which looked into whether Alberta’s policies to boost its craft beer industry violated trade rules.

He said the complainant, Artisan Ales Consulting, showed a lack of respect for the process by leaking the panel’s report when it came out.

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“Given the leak by the complainant, in this case, we’ve been denied that opportunity to look at this in a fulsome way and correct any issues we found, if there were any, so we’re disappointed they decided to act unilaterally in that way and demonstrate bad faith,” said Ceci.

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Artisan Ales co-owner Mike Tessier said releasing the report early doesn’t change the findings of the panel.

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The panel, in a two-to-one decision, found the government’s policy of providing what amounts to beer tax rebates to Alberta small breweries discriminates against out-of-province beers sold in Alberta.

READ MORE: Alberta NDP’s beer tax contravenes Canadian internal trade rules: panel

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Ceci said he will be taking time to review the panel’s findings, but still believes the grant program meets trade agreements.

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The Alberta government also faces a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of its beer policies, with the court case set to resume in September.

Ceci made his remarks at a Calgary farmers’ market, as he announced that craft beers and spirits will be allowed to be sold at approved markets across the province.

LISTEN: Derek From, staff lawyer, with the Canadian Constitution Foundation

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