Rob Nicholson Supports Niagara Grape Growers

August 15, 2022

Niagara Falls, ON - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Member of Parliament for the riding of Niagara Falls, issued the following statement on the impending NAFTA negotiations as they pertain to the U.S government hopes to increase its access to Canadian wine markets.

 

“I am proud to be a voice of support for the grape growers in the Niagara region. The wine industry in Niagara alone generates 14,000 jobs and that is why Canadians expect the Liberal Government to preserve the benefits of NAFTA and in doing so, safeguard Canadian jobs.”

 

“The wine industry contributes $1 million every hour to the Canada economy. Although the Conservative Party has always been a champion for free trade, we will hold the Liberals to account to ensure the best interests of the Canadian wine industry are protected.”

 

Background

 

  • The current NAFTA agreement already favors US wine makers considerably giving them a $450-million dollar trade surplus on wine.
  •  The Canadian wine industry has an annual national economic impact of $9 billion 
  •  For every bottle of wine sold in Canada there is $36.54 of domestic economic impact generated in the country.
  • The Ontario wine and grape industry generates $4.4 billion in economic impact, British Columbia $2.8 billion, Quebec $1.1 billion and $218 million in Nova Scotia.
  • · The wine and grape industry is responsible for more than 37,000 jobs in Canada from manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, transportation, research, restaurants to retail.
  •  Wine-related tourism welcomes more than 7 million visitors each year, generating more than $1.5 billion annually in tourism revenue and employment.
  •  The wine industry generates $1.7 billion in federal and provincial tax revenue and liquor board mark up.
  • For every $1 spent on Canadian wine sold in Canada, $3.42 in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is generated across the country.

 

 Source: www.canadianvintners.com