Ottawa residents hoping the LCBO would restock American liquor anytime soon shouldn't hold their breath. Premier Doug Ford confirmed this week that Ontario's ban on U.S. booze sales through the LCBO isn't going anywhere, even as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up trade pressure with a fresh threat of 50 per cent tariffs on most Canadian goods.
What Trump Said
On Monday night, Trump unveiled the new tariff threat, targeting the bulk of Canadian exports south of the border. It's the latest escalation in a trade dispute that's been simmering for months, and one that has already reshaped what's on liquor store shelves across the province — including right here in the capital.
Why This Matters in Ottawa
Ottawa sits just across the river from Quebec and a short drive from the U.S. border, making it a city where cross-border shopping and American products have traditionally been part of everyday life. Local LCBO outlets in neighbourhoods like the Byward Market, Westboro, and Barrhaven pulled American wine, spirits, and beer from shelves when the moratorium first took effect, and Ottawa shoppers have had to adjust their go-to picks ever since.
Bar owners and restaurant operators in the city have also felt the pinch, with some having to rework cocktail menus that once leaned on well-known Kentucky bourbons or California wines. For a city with a growing craft cocktail and dining scene, the shift has pushed more attention — and dollars — toward Canadian and Ontario-made spirits, wines, and craft beer, giving local producers in the Ottawa Valley and beyond a bit of a silver lining.
Ford Holds the Line
Despite Trump's renewed threat, Ford's message was clear: Ontario isn't backing down. The premier has framed the LCBO moratorium as a way for the province to apply its own pressure back on Washington, arguing that Ontario consumers can simply buy Canadian instead. For Ottawa residents already navigating rising grocery bills and cost-of-living pressures, the standoff means continued reliance on domestic alternatives at the liquor store, whether that's by choice or necessity.
What's Next
With tariff threats and countermeasures continuing to escalate, there's no clear timeline for when — or if — American products might return to LCBO shelves in Ottawa. For now, local shoppers can expect the same lineup of Canadian and Ontario-made options they've grown used to over the past several months, as the broader trade dispute between Ottawa's federal counterparts and Washington plays out.
Source: Global News Ottawa
