Budget 2022 includes an amendment to Canada's Excise Act removing alcohol excise taxes on beer containing no more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. The duty-free treatment for non-alcoholic beer brings it in line with non-alcoholic wines and spirits, alongside how Canada's major trading partners treat non-alcoholic beer.
Non-alcoholic beer is projected to show double-digit annual growth globally as consumers seek greater variety and styles of beer: including those with less alcohol
"We are pleased that the Government of Canada has removed this unintended barrier to the development and introduction of quality Canadian non-alcoholic beers," stated CJ Hélie, President of Beer Canada, an organisation which represents 90% of all beer produced in the country.
"The elimination of alcohol excise duties on non-alcoholic beer is a good first step, and we look forward to continuing to work with Minister Freeland to modernize Canada's alcohol excise duty structure and implement further targeted beer tax relief for Canadian consumers, brewers and the broader hospitality sector.”
The production, distribution and sale of beer supports 149,000 Canadian jobs, generates $14bn in GDP and $5.7bn in government tax revenues.
