Cut red tape to support entrepreneurs and create jobs
HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie says it’s time for the McNeil Liberals to stop pick-pocketing the growing craft beer industry.
Today, Baillie is calling on Premier Stephen McNeil to immediately address the remittance and retail mark-up barriers impacting Nova Scotia’s craft breweries.
“Craft beer is a growing, vibrant industry that needs to be supported, not stonewalled,” says Baillie. “The industry has been patiently waiting for the McNeil Liberals to see their worth and address their concerns. Today, we are calling on Premier McNeil to step up and support their potential.”
Baillie is calling on McNeil to adjust the remittance paid on the direct sales of Nova Scotia Craft Beer by manufacturers from $0.50 per litre wholesale to 5 per cent wholesale and to reduce the retail mark-up charged by the NSLC on products produced by licensed Nova Scotia microbreweries from 40 per cent to 30 per cent.
“This is a good place to start,” says Baillie. “I don’t understand why Stephen McNeil is dragging his feet instead of looking for ways to help this growing industry. Not only does this industry attract innovative entrepreneurs, but it employs hundreds of people. Last time I checked, Nova Scotia needed jobs.”
The Nova Scotia Craft Beer industry employs nearly 400 men and women in some 40 breweries and brew pubs across the province. Industry leaders have been pushing the McNeil Liberals to address their concerns for years to no avail.
“This is about fairness as much as it is good economics,” says Baillie. “Why is Premier McNeil making it so tough for the craft beer industry to prosper? He should get out of their way and do what he can to make the government work for them, not against.”
Baillie was joined today in Province House by craft brewery owners, workers and supporters.