The BC Wine Institute has notified the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission that's challenging the constitutionality of Alberta's ban on BC wines.
Wine Institute President and CEO, Miles Prodan, says they regret having to take legal action - but the ban, imposed on February 6th, is severely harming BC wineries and grapegrowers - many of which are small, family-owned operations.
He says all Canadians should be concerned about the issue - if wine can be banned, based on its province of origin, so can any product from any other province.
Prodan says the negative impact of the ban also extends to BC's wine tourism industry which generates almost a half-a-billion dollars in direct and indirect revenue for the BC economy.
Alberta banned imports of BC wines in a battle with BC over expansion of the Trans-Mountain pipeline.
The BC government announced earlier this week it's taking Alberta's decision to a federal free trade dispute settlement process.