Why Quebec is lagging behind on removing interprovincial barriers for alcohol sales

OTTAWA — Just days after Quebec opted not to join the nine other Canadian provinces in signing a landmark operating agreement to allow direct-to-consumer (DTC) interprovincial sales of alcohol, Paul Cirka wrote to Premier Christine Fréchette.The CEO and founder of CIRKA Distilleries in Montreal lamented the fact that Quebec spirits producers like him cannot yet submit applications to sell in other provinces.“While producers in other provinces are developing relationships with