ST. JOHN'S — As Canada vows to knock down internal trade barriers, unions representing workers at two large breweries in Newfoundland say easy beer sales between provinces would put local jobs at risk.
James Farrell with FFAW-Unifor says without rules protecting locally produced beer at Newfoundland and Labrador liquor stores, he fears Molson Coors would shut down its brewery in St. John's, N.L.
The union represents more than 50 workers at the brewery, and Farrell says they've been worried about their jobs since tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by the United States ignited talk of ending interprovincial trade barriers in Canada.
Farrell says it would likely be cheaper for Molson Coors to truck in beer from mainland Canada if there were no regulations limiting the amount of liquor produced in other provinces on local shelves.
Farrell says Premier Andrew Furey has assured him and his members that the province will help protect their jobs.
The union representing workers at the Labatt brewery in St. John's says in a statement that approximately 60 members would be at risk of losing their jobs without provincial trade barriers in place.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2025.
Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press
