For Toronto’s Jewish community, the countdown is on to secure American whiskey for Purim celebrations. Starting Tuesday, Ontario will remove all American alcohol from store shelves as part of a province-wide response to new U.S. trade tariffs, leaving bourbon lovers scrambling.
Premier Doug Ford announced the drastic measure on Sunday, calling it a necessary response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly imposed 25% tariff on Canadian imports. The ban will see nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, and spirits pulled from the province’s government-run liquor stores, with no timeline for reinstatement.
“There’s never been a better time to choose an amazing Ontario-made or Canadian-made product,” Ford said, urging consumers to embrace domestic alternatives.
The move delivers a significant blow to U.S. distillers, as Canada is their second-largest liquor market, importing roughly $320 million worth of American hard liquor annually. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has confirmed that all retail and licensed establishments must remove American-made products from their inventories, preventing bars and restaurants from restocking U.S. brands.
Ontario isn’t alone in its retaliation. Nova Scotia and Manitoba have ordered their liquor corporations to follow suit, while British Columbia is selectively banning top-selling brands from Republican-led U.S. states. The sweeping trade crackdown comes just hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods.
For those in the Jewish community who rely on American bourbon for Purim festivities, time is running out. With supplies set to dwindle, Ontario’s Jews might need their own Purim miracle—one that involves finding a Canadian-made alternative for their holiday toasts.