Bill C-311 stalled by political filibuster

MP Dan Albas' bill to "free our grapes" hits a wall in the House of Commons

It was not expected by anyone, but a popular Private Member's Bill that would allow wineries in Canada to expand their business was cut down by a filibuster by the Opposition NDP. Bill C-311, the "An Act to amend the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act (interprovincial importation of wine for personal use)" was on the order paper today at 5:30pm Ottawa time. It was to be given third and final reading before being sent up to the Senate to be passed into law. The bill has already received statements of support by each party in the House of Commons.

When the bill was tabled this evening the both the Conservatives (represented by MP Dan Albas) and the Liberals (represented by Justin Trudeau) spoke to the bill. Then when it came time for the NDP to speak, several NDP MPs, mostly from BC got up to speak. The filibuster by the Opposition ended up killing the chances for the Bill to be approved by the House today, and made into law in time for this year's wine harvest.

Dan Albas was certain the bill was going to pass. He even made the media rounds in advance, introducing Bill C-311 during a light-hearted segment on The Source on Sun TV. The "Free My Grapes" Act has huge popular support among Canadian wine consumers. It's not exactly an issue that divides the country along political lines, so one might ask what the Opposition's strategy was by blocking it today.

The reaction was swift from the Twittersphere. CKNW talk show host Bill Good seemed genuinely baffled when he tweeted:

@BillTieleman ..why did #NDP stall bill c311???

Sandra Oldfield of Tinhorn Creek and #BCWineChat tweeted:

@DanAlbas Ughhh I had heard!! So sad Bill C-311 didn't pass today?  Can we do anything??

The good thing in all this is Albas' bill is not dead yet — it just has to wait some more. The next opportunity for a third reading will not be until the fall, however, pushing the legislation past the 2012 growing season.

The BC wine community is being Dan's efforts to free our grapes, and there is little doubt that the momentum will cease on this campaign. It may have the effect of drawing even more attention to the prohibition, and stir up more consumer curiosity in fine BC wine.

Let's hope.

In the meantime, we salute MP Albas' efforts and urge the rest of Parliament to get behind passing Bill C-311.

– post by Mike