Forget Crude or Chardonnay
Right now the only thing flowing across the border between B-C and Alberta seems to be acidic verbal jabs.
B-C Premier John Horgan says he won't respond to any provocation from Alberta in the escalating trade dispute over the Trans Mountain pipeline.
At a news conference Wednesday Horgan said, "She (Premier Rachel Notley) can do whatever she wants. My focus is on protecting our economy and our environment.'
Horgan told reporters he's not backing down - saying he has a responsibility to protect B-C's interests where the National Energy Board did not:
"I have had discussion with the Prime Minister. I have had discussion with the Premier of Alberta and I've made it clear to both of them that the interests of British Columbia are my responsibility. I take that very seriously and I will be resolute in protecting the interests of this great province. And nor will I be distracted by the events that are taking place in other jurisdictions."
The argument sparked when the B-C government announced it is looking at restricting the expansion of bitumen through the province until it's satisfied a spill can be cleaned up.
The Alberta Premier reacted by threatening a lawsuit. On Tuesday, she put a cork in wine imports from British Columbia.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau side-stepped questions today, other than to say he's standing up for construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
Alberta warehouses have enough British Columbia wine to last about one month.
In Vino Veritas -- In Wine, Truth
Miles Prodan, the President of the B-C Wine Institute, says stemming the flow of wine into Wild Rose Country will have a significant impact on wineries. The upside? He hopes this latest development will push more local product into B-C government liquor stores, and further afield.
"There's capacity for government liquour stores to expand on local wines sales. When it comes to interprovincial borders, we've long advocated that there needs to be true free trade amongst the provinces, it makes no sense that a consumer can order a bottle or a case of wine and not be able to ship it."
Jan Nelson with Tinhorn Creek Vineyards says their operation near Oliver, B-C sends about 15 per cent of their production to Alberta. The prohibition will cost them about 100-thousand dollars every month.
Locally, Robin Gale, a representative of Mill Bay's Unsworth Vineyards, says Island wineries may not feel the same pinch as those in the Okanagan:
"The majority of our wine is sold in B-C. We only make 8-thousand cases, so Vancouver Island is our biggest market."
Unsworth Vineyards only sells a small amount of wine to Alberta, and hasn't shipped anything in quite some time.
While she says it's impossible to guess the long term implications, Gale says it's possible the ban could backfire, resulting in publicity that could boost BC and island wine sales.
Premier Horgan says B-C government ministerial officials are meeting Thursday with federal officials to clarify the province's rights over the pipeline dispute.