B.C. producers frustrated over new provincial trade deal exclusion

BC Food and Beverage CEO James Donaldson says the new mutual recognition deal is a welcome step, but excluding alcohol leaves wineries and distillers waiting yet again. He says tax concerns have stalled progress for years, while food-safety rules still block smaller producers from selling across provinces. Donaldson adds domestic expansion is “low-hanging fruit” for companies looking to rely less on the U.S. market.