Mid-January cold snap projects 97-99 percent decrease in production for B.C. Wine Industry

VICTORIA — Monday, February 26th, 2024 in the B.C. Legislature, BC United’s Agriculture and Food Shadow Minister, MLA Ian Paton, discussed the dire situation the B.C. wine industry is in.

The situation is due to a brutal cold snap and apparant “contentious Alberta policies” according to Paton.

Paton urgently demanded NDP government get involved to help safeguard B.C.’s vineyards.

the Province’s wine industry has always been a major economic contribution to B.C.’s economy and is in jeopardy.

Paton underscored the urgent need for a “government-led emergency task force, improved crop insurance, and direct talks with Alberta to protect the province’s wine sector.”

After a mid-January cold snap a 97-99 percent decrease is projected in wine production this year, a catastrophic blow to the industry and economy.

Temperatures fell well below Minus 20 in early 2024 killing off any chance of buds growing during growth season.

“British Columbia has made a name for itself over the past two decades as the source of world-class wines. The wine industry is integral to countless communities in our province and without it, there would be devastating effects on local economies, tourism and hospitality, and so many families throughout B.C.,” said Kevin Falcon, BC United Leader.

“Successive BC Liberal, now BC United, governments have nurtured the sector with supportive tax and regulatory policies and, as the sector now faces a difficult 2024 and beyond, it is vital that the current government facilitates supports to ensure B.C. wine can continue to thrive for generations more.”

There is a possibility of a 100 percent replant which could mean cash flow could drop into the negatives for years for wine producers.

“We’ll only know the true impacts of the cold snap in the coming months, but everything points towards a terrible situation for B.C. wine this year.”

“Couple that with reckless policies coming out of Alberta that seek to stop all direct-to-consumer B.C. wine sales into their province and you have a perfect storm,” added MLA Ian Paton, BC United Shadow Minister for Agriculture.