April brings a welcome moment of relief for Canada’s independent craft brewing community.
The federal government’s extension of the 50% excise duty reduction on the first 15,000 hL of beer brewed is a positive step forward for our sector. At a time when cost pressures remain high, this measure provides real, tangible relief. It keeps real dollars in real local craft breweries and gives many breweries the ability to reinvest in their operations, their teams, and their communities.
While the impact isn’t the same for everyone, with modest savings in the $1,000 range for our smaller brewers to as high as $90,000 for the bigger ones, it is important to recognize that this federal action sends a clear signal to provincial governments that they too have a role to play in supporting the health and sustainability of Canada’s independent brewers, regardless of size.
Calculate your estimated annual excise savings here: https://ccba-ambc.org/excise-savings/
We are grateful to the federal government for this support, but acknowledge this relief is a temporary measure. The current excise framework is outdated and does not reflect the realities of today’s brewing landscape. The structure, established in 2006, creates a significant fiscal barrier, with the highest rates reached at 75,000 hL. That is not aligned with the growth ambitions or operational realities of modern independent breweries.
We believe there is a better path forward. Modernizing the excise system to include graduated rates up to 500,000 hL would create a more supportive environment for sustainable growth. It would allow breweries to scale without being penalized at a critical stage in their development.
We are already leveraging this federal relief in our work with provincial associations. It strengthens advocacy efforts across the country and reinforces that all levels of government have a role to play in ensuring a healthy, competitive craft brewing sector.
This is how progress happens. Step by step, jurisdiction by jurisdiction, building alignment and momentum.
Together, we will continue to advocate for the long-term changes our industry needs while saying “Cheers!” to the progress we made.
Christine Comeau, Executive Director
CCBA