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The U.S. Is Banning Canadian Booze on Sept. 29 — Here's What It Means for Ontario's $1-Billion Industry

  LCBO shelves have been missing American bourbon and Napa wine since March 2025. In three weeks, the trade war flips direction — and this time it's Canadian producers, and the roughly 20,000 Ontarians who work for them, absorbing the hit. What's actually changing on Sept. 29 On Sept. 8, President Trump signed proclamations that ban a wide range of Canadian alcohol from entering the United States, effective 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Sept. 29. It's a different kind of measure than the tariffs Canadians have gotten used to reading about this year — this isn't a price increase, it's a door closed. Packaged beer, wine, cider, and spirits (including whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila and mezcal) are covered, alongside whey products, molasses, non-alcoholic beer, and larger motorcycles. Canadian alcohol previously imported but not yet cleared for consumption before Sept. 29 stays under the existing 50% duty instead of the outright ban. The White House's proclamation points ...
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Drug shortages in Canada affect millions of patients and health care providers

 

  

Many Canadians have experienced the frustration and anxiety of not being able to get the medications they need, as the country faces a persistent and worsening problem of drug shortages.

According to a survey commissioned by the Canadian Pharmacists Association, one in four adults in Canada has either personally been affected by drug shortages in the last three years or knows someone who has. The survey also found that 70% of pharmacists have difficulty finding alternative drugs for their patients.

The causes of drug shortages are complex and varied, ranging from manufacturing issues, supply chain disruptions, regulatory hurdles, market decisions by pharmaceutical companies, and increased demand for certain drugs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the drugs that have been in short supply include Lenoltec No. 4, a painkiller containing codeine; Ozempic, a widely-used drug for type 2 diabetes; EpiPens, which are essential for people with life-threatening allergies; Wellbutrin, a popular antidepressant; and various blood pressure medications.

Drug shortages can have serious consequences for patients and health care providers, such as increased costs, reduced quality of care, delayed or cancelled treatments, adverse reactions, medication errors, and psychological distress.

Health Canada has said it is aware of the issue and working to find solutions, such as facilitating the importation of foreign drugs, monitoring the supply situation, and collaborating with stakeholders. However, some experts have called for more action, such as investing in domestic production capacity, creating a national drug agency, and implementing mandatory reporting of drug shortages by manufacturers.

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