Politicians in Manitoba and Saskatchewan proposed the ban as a gesture against Russia's military movements in the peninsula that was once part of Ukraine.
Manitoba Tory MLA Ron Schuler, the party's Liquor Control Commission critic, raised the issue in the legislature on Wednesday, which the ruling NDP party said it would consider. “We as Manitobans will take a small stand and maybe just a symbolic stand, but we’re going take a stand against tyranny,” he said to
CTV News.
Meanwhile, Brad Wall, Saskatchewan's premier, is considering similar actions, but is hoping to gauge the level of public support for such a move. But opposition leader Cam Broten wants the government to exercise caution before yanking Russian Standard, the only alcoholic product from the country available in government-run liquor outlets.
"It could be considered but I would want a thoughtful response from the province," said Broten to
CBC News.
Wall commented to the
Regina Leader-Post that his decision would also be based on its impact with the federal government's stance on Russia regarding international trade.
"This is a pretty sensitive area," he said. "We'll hear from the feds in terms of what they're planning and what counsel they might have to subnationals, to the provincial governments, about these matters."
