CANADA NEWS RELEASE: Government Extends Excise Duty Relief, Provides Direct Support to Canadian Breweries, Distilleries and Wine Makers

April 2, 2026 

Veterans Affairs Canada

In that spirit, the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence took part in an event at Barnside Brewing in Delta B.C., marking the announcement of a two-year extension of alcohol excise duty relief, to protect brewers, distillers, and winemakers during a period of global uncertainty. By renewing these measures, the federal government is providing relief to Canadian businesses, particularly local craft breweries, that contribute to jobs and local economies.

Effective 1 April 2026, the government’s combined measures are offsetting rising costs for an additional two years in two ways:

• First, the government is capping inflationary increases: The annual inflation adjustment on beer, spirit, and wine excise duties will remain capped at two per cent.
• Second, we are providing targeted relief to craft brewers: The excise duty rate on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer brewed in Canada will remain cut by half.

Together, these two measures are expected to provide more than $30 million in total relief through to 2028. For a craft brewery, reducing the excise duty rate by half on the first 15,000 hectolitres represents up to about $90,000 in additional tax savings in the 2026-27 fiscal year alone.

As warmer weather approaches and the FIFA World Cup inches nearer to our doorstep, today’s extensions will at once better support our world class brewers, distillers, and wine makers, protect Canadian jobs, help mitigate cost pressures, and ensure Canadians and tourists alike can enjoy the best Canada has to offer with limited tax increases.

Quick facts

• The Canadian Craft Brewers Association estimates there are nearly 1,200 small and independent craft breweries, brewpubs, and their suppliers across Canada, where they support nearly 30,000 jobs and contribute $1.7 billion to the country’s gross domestic product.
• In March 2024, the federal government announced it would, for an additional two years, cap the inflation adjustment at two per cent for beer, spirit, and wine excise duties. In addition, for two years, the government cut by half the excise duty rate on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer brewed in Canada. These measures are being extended to protect Canadian brewers, distillers and winemakers today.

Additional Resources

• Backgrounder: Extending alcohol excise duty relief to support Canadian businesses

Contacts

Adam Rogers-Green
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
343-573-0946
adam.rogers-green@veterans.gc.ca