U.S. alcohol returning to shelves in Nova Scotia to sell remaining stock

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

The provincial government is allowing the remaining booze from the United States, which has been off shelves for the last nine months, to be sold until it’s gone.

In a press release, Nova Scotia’s Premier, Tim Houston, said the government is committed to the “Team Canada approach” in the midst of the trade war with the U.S.

“But Nova Scotians have already paid for this product. We don’t want it to go to waste,” he said in a statement.

There is an inventory of American products worth about $14 million in the back rooms of Nova Scotia Liquor Corps. across the province. These products are any alcohol made, manufactured and/or produced south of the border.

Houston said once the stock is gone, the province “will not be ordering any more from the United States.”

Related:

• Carney announces new supports for lumber, steel sectors hammered by U.S. tariffs
• Halifax relatively unaffected by Trump tariffs, data shows
• Private wine, specialty stores jump according to the latest NSLC report

To further prove the elbows up mantra, the province said the net profit from the U.S. alcohol will go to Feed Nova Scotia and other community food organizations. The press release notes that the government believes this will be about $4 million; however, the number is subject to change once the products are sold.

The U.S. liquors, like whiskey, will be available for purchase on Dec. 1. The government expects it will take “several months” to go through the stock.

The press release notes that if people are looking for specific products, they should call their local NSLC store before visiting.

Alcohol pulled from shelves in March

The province put in place a series of actions after President Donald Trump ordered tariffs on all Canadian goods entering the U.S.

The premier directed the NCLS to remove all U.S.-made alcohol from shelves. He said this was an impactful response last time that had a significant influence on American producers who rely on Canadian markets. A brief period of alcohol removal happened in February.

This has impacted sales of U.S. wines in the country.

In the second quarter of 2025, American wine sales in Canada fell 91 per cent, according to the California-based Wine Institute. Those sales mirror the drop in liquor and spirits, which fell 85 per cent, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

That’s a drop from $63.1 million in 2024 to just $9.6 million over that quarter this year.