Alberta challenges ruling that says its beer tax violates trade rules

EDMONTON – Alberta is challenging a ruling that found its incentive program on beer sales violates interprovincial free-trade obligations.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the government is appealing last month’s decision by a national internal trade panel.

Ceci says the province will argue that its small brewers development program meets required trade obligations.

He says in a statement that Alberta runs the most open liquor market in Canada and 18 new breweries have opened since incentives began a year ago.