Nova Scotia Wine Industry Rejects Government's Increased Funding Offer

Provincial officials defend the $6.6 million aid proposal, citing fairness and compliance with trade rules.

The Nova Scotia government's offer to increase financial aid to the wine industry by $1.6 million was rejected by grape growers.
Officials argue the aid package, totaling $6.6 million annually, is fair and based on an independent consultant's report.
Winemakers oppose the subsidies for commercial bottlers, claiming it unfairly supports imported grape juice over locally grown grapes.
The proposed funding split is 65-35, reflecting the GDP of wineries and bottlers and acquisition costs by the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation.
Negotiations will continue, but current funding levels of $5.05 million for wineries and $844,000 for bottlers will remain in place.