Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark is trying to lessen the 61.5% tax burden on craft distilleries in the province.
Clark’s Bill 50 to introduce a graduated tax system was shot down by the Liberal government on Thursday.
The bill would have also allowed on-site sampling and per-glass sales, removed the middle man by allowing for direct delivery to bars and restaurants instead of going through the LCBO, and increased access for consumers by expanding the retail outlets where craft spirits are sold.
Clark says the province is not allowing small distilleries the chance to grow from within their communities and that consumers appreciate the grain-to-glass process involved in local production and sales. Clark continued by saying that archaic liquor policies in Ontario are holding new businesses down before they have a chance to really get started.
Clark’s goal is to level the playing field for distilleries and have the same type of graduated tax applied as it is with craft breweries and wineries.
The province did institute a rebate program for craft distilleries instead though, allowing for a return of $4.42 per litre sold.
