City acting on trade war

Photo: Colton Davies

Penticton's mayor and council will be penning a letter to the provincial government about the impact the area has felt from the ongoing trade war between B.C. and Alberta.

The decision was supported unanimously Tuesday, after council members referenced a similar letter written by the Town of Oliver on Friday. 

Oliver's letter squarely states it does not want an interprovincial trade war, saying Alberta's wine boycott "has a substantial financial threat to greater Oliver's agricultural sector, wine industry and tourism sector."

It's not clear if Penticton's letter will follow the same message, as council had mixed reviews about the exact message they want to send.

"It's more about raising awareness that we are being impacted negatively," Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said, adding he's talked to several local wineries who have expressed their hardship by the trade situation.

"We, sort of being the centre of the wine industry, are collateral damage to what's going on between the two provinces."

Coun. Judy Sentes said she would like to see council follow suit with Oliver's letter of concern, which states that the trade dispute needs to end.

"It's important that our Premier understand our concerns. The encouragement is for two significant leaders in our country, both of them provincial leaders, that they not hardship each other and the citizens of those provinces," Sentes said.

That message was echoed by Coun. Helena Konanz, who added that in their letter they should make a point of reminding that local businesses should be supported by governments at all levels.

Horgan's government pursued further legal action on Monday into Alberta's wine boycott, challenging the ban through the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.