Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act C-311
Private Members’ Business
May 29th, 2012 / 5:40 p.m.
Alex Atamanenko British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to say a few words in support of Bill C-311. I would like to thank my colleague for Okanagan—Coquihalla for taking the initiative to introduce the bill.
I know there is pressure to fast-track the bill through Parliament, and I understand that. However, it should be noted that this issue is not new. The Canadian Vintners Association has been requesting more flexibility in our liquor laws for a number of years.
I became involved a few years ago. I wrote the minister on September 2010 and received a very favourable response. At the time, he mentioned that he was soliciting input from provinces and territories to enter into a consensus-building approach to explore the impact of the limitations in place under the act. Subsequently, we had more communication. It is my understanding that this was in the process.
To those who say that we need to go very quickly, I understand that. However, we should put this in context: this issue has been under consideration for a while. Theoretically, the government could have introduced legislation long ago and resolved the issue. That did not happen and we are here today debating this important bill.
Hopefully we can move it forward today. It would certainly be very appropriate if we could change this law before the summer tourist season.
Why is this bill important?
First, it would allow consumers to buy a reasonable quantity of wine directly for personal consumption. The quantity would be defined by each province.
Let us not forget that it is illegal for me, for example, to go to a winery in Ontario, buy a bottle of wine there and take that bottle home with me to British Columbia. It is absurd. – Alex Atamanenko
News item:
Okanagan Coquihalla Conservative MP Dan Albas says Bill C-311 has not been defeated, but it has been delayed, after amendments were requested as it came up for third reading Tuesday night.
The B.C. member of parliament says the bill, dubbed ‘free my grapes’, has now dropped to the bottom of the hearing list and most likely won’t resurface until early to mid-fall.
Albas blames New Democrats for what he calls a senseless and unfair assault on the Okanagan wine industry, arguing it will delay removal of trade barriers until at least next year’s growing cycle
this is not the entire speech Jack. You left out the part where he waxes poetically about the union jobs that may be lost at the Government owned liquor stores.
Most intelligent response so far
Ottawa is an alien world far from the streets of Okanagan
If we could ever get politicians to rule regulate and run our country as a business with the interests of the general population taken into consideration then we can progress. It seems all politicians regardless of party policies seem to delight in making a name for them selves at the expense of practicality. We as a general population are stupid to have put up with it for so long. In the words of Winston Churchill democracy is the worst form of government but it is better than the alternative. Perhaps enough complaining about changing an outdated law (1931) may jar someone to come out of their parliamentary doze long enough to say AYE and pas it out of existence.
Dave
Jack,
If parties supposedly agree, then I am mystified why it is now mid-Fall before it resurfaces, thus missing another important season for local vintners.
To put my previous post in simple English….. pull your fingers out and pass the Bill. Surely it can’t be that difficult.
And don’t call be Shirley. Dr. Barry Rumack.
oh…and via CBC “Atamanenko says NDP supports the bill, but some members didn’t get the message there was only a hour of debate for it. #cdnpoli #cbc #bcwine”
Publisher: I will have to apologize I dont tweet with the twitters.
and the latest “Ottawa update: Kings-Hants Nova Scotia MP Brison steps up to save bill C-311. 2nd hour debate returns to the House next week! ” via Dan Albas
Publisher: Sooner the better
Jack: oddly enough, the real only objective statement I have seen in the media was a tweet by Paul Wells very early this morning along the lines of (paraphrasing) “why are we spending more than 30 seconds even debating this? it’s a no brainer”.
I think that the real issues is the games that are played, trying to come out on top for the good 5 second pr bit that comes with it. I see right now that the opposition is “graciously” offereing one of its slots up to guarantee a pre summer vote…after not allowing it to go to vote last night…games
Publisher: Bill doesn’t want a dialogue so I will respond to Rob. The fact is that many people have brought this problem to the attention of the government – Tory and Liberal and nothing was done. To blame the NDP belies the fact that the Conservatives have a majority government. Politics works both ways – and like the National Park debate – there is a lot of hot air expelled before the real work begins. This seems like a good diversion from the real facts of agressive cutbacks in services in Canada.
I personally want the removal of a lot of trade barriers, on milk, turkey, butter, gasoline etc. But those who might be gored are quick to put up their barriers to keep us from a level playing field.
After reading through Hansard, the bill does have support of the majority of members. That isn’t the issue. What has happened is that the opposition members decided to fillibuster the the last hour of debate so that debate could not be collapsed and a vote called….spin that however you want. It appears that they don’t want the bill to be passed before summer…why?
I wonder what the opposition would say if the Gov’t had put this through as a bill and pushed it through…pretty sure we would be hearing the “undemocratic….heavy-handed….bullying”-type standard boilerplate that is far too common from all types of commentators.
Publisher: Unfortunately – I have not seen an objective report by a media source on the issue – just the parties doing what they usually do – dispecting the opposite view.
The words….. digit, pull and out spring to mind. Pathetic.
Publisher: How are you feeling? Back? On the words above – I could agree if I know what you were getting at.
“Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen” WC
“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors”
Plato
It should be pointed out that some of the trade barriers are caused by provincial government liquor boards and legislation. This matter C-311 could be solved if the federal government introduced legislation and used its majority. This is a private members bill – often don’t go anywhere – where the bill needs the support of all parties in the house.