Doerkson promises to cut PST on Canadian alcohol
Published 3:25 pm Tuesday, September 29, 2026
BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson promised to remove the 10 per cent PST from Canadian-produced wine, beer, and spirits during a campaign stop at a Langley berry farm and winery.
The newly minted party leader was speaking at Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery in rural Langley, with all three local incumbents for the Langley area ridings – Harman Bhangu, Misty Van Popta, and Jody Toor – standing alongside him.
“My Conservative government will remove PST temporarily at the till on all Canadian beer, wine, and spirits until this trade conflict is over and resolved,” Doerkson said.
He also pledged to help make more room for B.C. products on shelves and to help the industry grow, accusing the NDP of letting the industry down over the last 18 months of the trade war with the United States.
Later during the press conference, Doerkson was asked about how much of a hit the provincial budget will take from temporarily removing the alcohol sales tax on Canadian products.
“The reality is that there will be some losses, no question about that,” said Doerkson.
But he said that 20,000 jobs were at risk in the industry.
“What if we don’t do this, what if we don’t support these industries that are under pressure?” he said.
He also vowed that the removal of American liquor from B.C. shelves will continue if the Conservatives win the provincial election.
“A Conservative government will keep U.S. liquor off of our shelves until this trade conflict is resolved. That doesn’t change with a change of government,” he said.
Asked about a recent poll showing the BC Conservatives ahead of the NDP, Doerkson said he was excited, and noted that this was the second poll since the election was called to show his party with a lead.
B.C. voters go to the polls on Oct. 24, following the early election call by incumbent NDP premier David Eby.