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Ottawa May End U.S. Alcohol Bans to Dodge the Tariffs — What It Means for You

  August 10, 2026 · 6 min read With nine days left before the United States' 50% tariff on hundreds of Canadian goods is set to kick in, Ottawa appears willing to give up one of its most visible retaliation tools: the provincial bans on American beer, wine, and spirits. According to CBC News reporting from federal negotiators, Canada is prepared to end those bans, lift its retaliatory tariff on U.S.-made vehicles, and adjust how it allocates dairy import quotas — all in exchange for Washington dropping the looming 50% levy and easing existing duties on steel and aluminum. Talks have not produced a signed deal. Both sides have agreed to meet daily through August 19, and Canadian officials have reportedly told their American counterparts that the deadline is a real cliff: once the tariffs land, there's little political appetite left in Canada to keep negotiating. Whether that urgency produces an agreement in time is still an open question. What it means for you: Even if this dea...
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LCBO Strike Continues Amidst Dispute Over Return-to-Work Protocol

 

A tentative agreement to end the two-week-long strike at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has been thrown into question, with both sides accusing each other of bad faith bargaining. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing 10,000 LCBO workers, announced that the strike would continue because the employer refused to sign a return-to-work protocol.

Despite initial optimism, the LCBO has stated that OPSEU introduced significant new monetary demands after the tentative deal was reached, which they argue should have been addressed during negotiations. The LCBO plans to file an unfair labour practice complaint against OPSEU.

The strike, which began on July 5, has been largely driven by concerns over Premier Doug Ford’s plan to allow convenience and grocery stores to sell ready-to-drink cocktails, a move that OPSEU claims threatens their jobs. The LCBO, however, maintains that this issue is not relevant to the bargaining table.

Negotiations had resumed earlier this week, with the LCBO offering wage increases, improved benefits for part-time workers, and the conversion of casual workers to permanent full-time positions. However, the failure to finalize the return-to-work protocol has left the strike ongoing, with no clear resolution in sight.


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