Federal government touts relief measures for Sask. breweries, winemakers, distillers

Beer taps at the Skout Brewing Co. in Moosomin, Sask. (Fruzsina De Cloedt/CTV News)

Federal ministers were in Regina on Wednesday to celebrate extended relief measures for brewers, distillers and winemakers.

On April 1, 2026, the Government of Canada extended the alcohol excise duty relief for two years.

At Regina’s District Brewing Co., the government said it hopes to offset rising costs for local businesses, especially craft breweries.

It will do so by capping the annual inflation adjustment on beer, spirit and wine at two per cent.

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Additionally, the government will provide targeted relief to craft brewers by halving the excise duty rate each brewer pays on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer brewed in Canada.

“The federal government is standing behind Canada’s breweries, distilleries and wineries as they navigate rising costs and economic uncertainty,” said Rechie Valdez, minister of women and gender equality, in a news release.

“By extending this relief, we are providing stability at a critical moment, helping small and medium-sized businesses in Saskatchewan focus on what matters most: growing their operations, supporting local workers and keeping our economy strong and resilient.”

The government said these measures are expected to provide more than $30 million in total relief until they expire in 2028.

The news release also said cutting the excise duty rate in half for the first 15,000 hectolitres represents up to about $90,000 in additional tax savings for craft breweries in the 2026-27 fiscal year alone.

“Across Saskatchewan, local breweries, distilleries and wineries are doing more than making great products – they’re creating jobs, drawing people to our downtowns and main streets, and contributing to local economies,” said Buckley Belanger, secretary of state for rural development.

“Extending this relief helps take some pressure off local producers so they can keep serving up Saskatchewan-made products people are proud of.”