Business, consumers pledge to focus on local alcohol products 

The co-owner of two Halifax restaurants is pledging resilience and a strong focus on local products, following the province’s decision to remove American alcohol from Nova Scotia liquor stores.

“We’re going to have to come up with some innovative new drinks and that’s just what we’re going to do,” said Lil MacPherson, co-owner and president of The Wooden Monkey restaurants. 

“Maybe we’ll have a ‘new fashioned’ instead of the old fashioned,” she said.

The restaurant’s beverage menu lists U.S.-made Bulleit and Woodford Reserve bourbon as its two choices for the old fashioned, a popular cocktail usually made with bourbon. 

Though Canada produces mainly rye whiskeys, the United States is the only bourbon producer. U.S. bourbon makers use aged American barrels to distill a mash of rye, barley, and at least 51 per cent corn grain. 

“I looked at our menu last night, and the only thing we have to take off is the bourbon drinks and … just one wine,” she said. “Everything else — the Monkey has either local wines or organic or sustainable wines. We don’t have any other American wine coming in, so either it’s going to be local or it’s going to be organic.”

The Nova Scotia government announced Saturday it will require the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) to take U.S. alcohol off shelves tonight, as the United States and Canada enter a trade war. 

Premier Tim Houston issued the directive in response to U.S. President Donald Trump placing a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods entering the United States earlier Saturday. 

“It’s remarkable to find ourselves at odds with our best friend and neighbour,” Houston announced. “It will take thoughtfulness and time, but we will get through this.”

“There are things within our control that we must act on,” Houston wrote. 

Canada imported $377 million in U.S. alcohol in 2023, with U.S. whiskey accounting for about $111 million of those exports, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the national trade association representing producers and marketers.

MacPherson added she thinks this will be good for Nova Scotians. 

“I think the reaction is we are going to stand together. This is not going to knock us down. We’re going to get busy,” she said. “A lot of people don’t realize the quality of hard liquor and beer we have here. So, I think it’s a great opportunity for local producers, especially farmers.’”

Buying Local 

Staff at the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation on Queen Street declined to comment. 

Many shoppers showed up there Sunday to either support local brewers or stock up on American alcohol.

“I think this is great, and I drink local 90 per cent of the time anyway,” said Lauren Doley, a shopper at NSLC. 

Another shopper appeared relieved to find California wine still plentiful Sunday on NSLC shelves. 

“I have no problem with us suggesting that we buy local as much as possible. Buy Canadian,” said NSLC shopper Ken Book. “I just really like a couple of bottles of California wine, so if they’re going to take it off the shelf, I’m going to stock up a little.”

Book added that he’s also worried about shopping for produce at grocery stores.

“It’s going to be difficult, though, because if you go to that grocery store over there and you buy produce, it’s either from Mexico or the U.S., with fruit and vegetables, it’s hard to buy local food in the winter.” 

MacPherson said it’s time Nova Scotians rely more on local farmers and farmers markets. She envisioned potentially opening the grocery stores to local producers that she said supply her restaurants all year.

 “I’m definitely nervous and we’re going to go through some transitions. But I’m almost excited because now we’re forced … to put our own life jackets on ourselves, support our own people and all the great production that we have here in Nova Scotia.”