Boycott BC wine, eh?
I’m trying to remember the last time a Canadian province gave the proverbial finger to another part of Canada. I’m sure stuff went down over the cancellation of the Cod fishery. But, even given former Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin’s penchant for the occasional stunt, I’m pretty certain, despite those dire times, there was no actual internecine war waged!
Most likely you have to go back to Pierre Trudeau, the uncontested prince of prosaic proctology. His National Energy Program spawned a popular bumper sticker that originated in—Alberta. It read “Let the Eastern Bastards Freeze in the Dark.”
If by implementing a boycott on BC wines Premier Notley’s prime intention was to get people to sit up and take notice, she’s more than succeeded. Yet, I’m not so sure it was that wise a move. She knows as well as anybody that BC Premier Horgan and the NDP are between a rock and hard place. Any shift in their opposition to Kinder Morgan could cost them their Green Party support, and ultimately their first turn at power in over 16 years.
Also, it’s the underdog who always gets the sympathy. And there’s no denying who the underdog is in this fight. As the BC Wine Institute has been quick to point out, most of its wineries are small, family owned and operated businesses.
Also, Albertans like their BC wines, which apparently account for 30 percent ** of all wine sold in the province. (** As Bill Eggert points out, below, this number is inflated, as it includes ‘Cellared in Canada’ product, which accounts for about three out of every four glasses consumed.) However that still leaves a fair bit of grown in BC or VQA wines. Chances are, those who want them will find a way to get them. Many BC wineries are owned by Albertans or have other strong ties. And wine, beer and other spirits have been known to make their way mysteriously across the Rockies in both directions …
The Boycott Seen from BC
The reaction from BC? ‘Stay Calm & Drink BC Wine’ has been the most common response. And there’s no shortage of people ready and willing to drink the Albertans’ share! But a genuine ‘high road’ movement has also developed. Several wineries and restaurants are planning BC wine and Alberta beef events. Spearheaded by Okanagan Crush Pad owner Christine Coletta is ‘Farm Friends’, a taste ‘n graze at Edible Canada on Feb 22nd. 
Participants include 50th Parallel Estate Winery, Culmina Family Estate Winery, Haywire, Liquidity, Painted Rock Estate Winery, Poplar Grove Wineryand Summerhill Pyramid Winery; as well as the Dames Wine project. Buy tix here.
If Premier Notley thought that a little grandstanding would go a long way, she was a right about that. It has. But not necessarily in her favour.
As far as just how much of BC is pro or con the Kinder Morgan expansion, I’m sure there are polls around more helpful than I can be. The last time I checked it was close to an even split. However, my guess is that the Alberta Premier has unwittingly tapped in a groundswell. One in BC that runs against KM, and even to some middle of the road moderates. And even elsewhere.
Here’s why:
BC has always been a curious place—rightly chided for its collective narcissism. Not to mention its nonchalant attitude to the Rest of Canada. But if there’s one thing of which BC has become justly proud, it’s our wines. Boycott them at your risk.
A Change in Attitude
The province has turned 180 degrees from a purely resourced based economy to one dependant on hospitality, tourism and tech. British Columbians now place a much higher value on the need to protect their pristine shores—and seafood. There’s also a genuine desire to understand and work with First Nations. That wasn’t there before. Also, a collective will understands the need to protect an endangered Orca population in the Salish sea. Even without a spill occurring, a projected 34 tankers a month does not bode well for the survival of killer whales.
I suspect there’s something less tangible but much larger at play. And it’s resonating across wine’s unique global network. News of the Alberta Premier’s wine ban spread like wildfire throughout the world of wine. ‘Buy BC’ campaigns have popped up all over. If you have the bucks you can rent your own luxury jet to taste right out of Calgary. And beyond BC, expressions of support have come from places as diverse as Quebec to Puget Sound.
It’s a world today that, by necessity, has its finger on the pulse of climate change. And it’s a world increasingly aware of the need to move to renewables and clean energy sooner rather than later.
With more wine producing countries embracing sustainable practices, Alberta’s BC wine boycott will serve to only highlight issues surrounding the Tar Sands internationally. Which, in itself, may not be all that helpful to Alberta in the long run.
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