Donald Trump trade war: Ontario distilleries report growth

OAKVILLE, Ont. — Maverick Distillery’s bottling plant in Oakville, Ont. has never been busier, thanks in-part to the provincial ban on importing American spirits into liquor stores.

“Our vodka sales are up 100 per cent in the LCBO, and our whisky is up 300 per cent. We’re seeing unbelievable growth and the push to buy Canadian products is a real thing,” says Maverick Distillery CEO Craig Peters.

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canada, provincial liquor stores across the country began pulling American spirits off the shelves in 2025.

In January of last year, Ontario Premier Doug Ford made his case for pulling the booze: “We’re the largest purchaser of alcohol in the entire world; they will feel the pain.”

Provincial government bans on shipments of U.S.-made spirits remains in place in Atlantic Canada, the Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. Previous bans have been lifted in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

With trade talks back on between Ottawa and Washington, the U.S. administration has listed the prohibition on U.S. alcohol shipments to Canada as a trade “irritant.”

Trump tariffs: Ontario distillers FILE: A sign is posted on a wine shelves at an LCBO, the government-run liquor stores where most wine and spirits in the province are purchased, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Toronto.

“I’d call it a proper response and they’re lucky we probably didn’t do more. We’re seeing fractures in the economy, auto, energy, aluminum we needed a response we stand by Premier Ford. We certainly hope he holds his ground,” says Peters.

Maverick Distillery was Ontario’s first licenced craft distillery when it first opened in 2009. The surge in demand caught them off guard, but like other independent spirit makers, they’re small and nimble enough to lean into their made in Canada products. They’ve also begun to produce new offerings.

Peters had barrels of Kentucky bourbon in his warehouse, so he and his team created a Canadian-Whisky-Kentucky-Bourbon blend for consumers who’re looking to raise a glass while also keeping their “elbows up.”

“We have a number of products that basically fulfil that need for richer bourbon-style whisky, but its actually bottled right here in Oakville, Ontario. We’re even working on coming out with a Tequila” shares Peters.

CTV News has spoken to multiple spirit makers across Canada over the last year and many are leaning into the buy Canadian movement. Last January, while touring Odd Society Spirits in Vancouver, owner Gordon Glanz shared that his small batch distillery’s latest creation was a strawberry gin, with strawberries grown in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.

Back in Oakville, Maverick Distillery is preparing to move to a new, larger location. They have 25 people working on the production side of the business with multiple job openings posted online.

While they’re growing and hiring more Canadian workers the company admits the growth, triggered by a trade war has been bittersweet.

“We do hope (officials) get back to the table and get this (trade dispute) resolved. It’s not good for Canadians.It’s been beneficial for our industry, but we do look for the trade dispute to be resolved as soon as possible,” shares Peters.