N.W.T. and Nunavut premiers abstain from agreement on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales

The premiers of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories will not join a pledge to change rules around direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, saying their communities make their own choices over alcohol restrictions.

At Tuesday’s meeting between provincial leaders in Charlottetown, P.E.I., nine premiers agreed to update their rules that would allow more Canadian brewers and distillers to sell their products directly to consumers in other provinces.

Citing the “unique realities of our territories”, Premiers R.J. Simpson and John Main did not join that pledge.

In a joint statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Simpson and Main said there are a number of communities in both territories with their own alcohol restrictions or prohibitions “that reflect community priorities and cultural values.”

“Respecting community self-determination is fundamental to how alcohol is managed in the North,” the statement said, noting any changes need to be consistent with local decisions made by communities.

The statement said the governments of the two territories “are committed to strengthening internal trade and reducing unnecessary barriers that make it harder for Canadians to do business across the country” and both support the “broader goal of improving internal trade.”

Quebec and the Yukon said they would sign onto the agreement in the near future, and British Columbia said it would allow direct consumer sales by February 2027.

The decision came more than a year after all of Canada’s provinces and the Yukon signed an agreement pledging to open provincial borders to more trade by May 2026.

Simpson and Main’s statement said both governments are committed to working with premiers across the country to “advance internal trade while ensuring that northern circumstances and community decision-making continue to be respected.”