Delegates at the World Brewing Alliance annual meeting
Luke Chapman, Vice President, Federal Affairs, briefs the global brewing industry on the federal beer excise tax escalator and the case for its repeal in Budget 2026
OTTAWA, October 22, 2026 – Beer Canada joined brewing associations and companies from around the world this week at the World Brewing Alliance (WBA) annual meeting in Belgium, where Luke Chapman, Vice President, Federal Affairs, provided an update on Canada’s beer excise tax policy.
Chapman’s presentation outlined how the federal beer excise tax escalator works. Introduced in 2017, the escalator raises the tax automatically every April 1, indexed to inflation. Since then, the federal excise tax on beer has climbed by more than 20 per cent, while beer sales have declined. Canada is the only G7 country that indexes its beer tax this way.
The presentation also highlighted how Canada’s approach differs from those of its major trading partners, and the industry’s ongoing efforts to bring Canada’s excise framework more closely in line with other leading beer-producing countries.
“Brewers around the world face many of the same pressures, and there is real value in comparing notes on how governments tax beer,” said Luke Chapman, Vice President, Federal Affairs, Beer Canada. “Canada stands out for the wrong reason: nowhere else in the G7 does the beer tax go up automatically every year. Our message at home and abroad is the same. It is time to permanently repeal the federal beer excise tax escalator and return beer tax decisions to elected officials in Parliament.”
“Canada’s brewers are proud to be part of the global brewing community, and take particular pride in the fact that 90% of the beer Canadians enjoy is brewed right here at home,” said Richard Alexander, President of Beer Canada. “As the federal government prepares Budget 2026, we are asking it to repeal the automatic escalator and give brewers, and the Canadians who buy our products, a fair and transparent tax framework.”
Beer Canada is calling on the federal government to permanently repeal the automatic beer excise tax escalator in Budget 2026. Canadians can learn more and contact their Member of Parliament at hereforbeer.ca.
About the World Brewing Alliance
The World Brewing Alliance (WBA) is the international trade association for beer. Its members, national and regional brewing associations and the world’s largest brewers, from multinational companies to small craft brewers, represent 175 countries and about 70% of the world’s beer production. The WBA advocates for evidence-based alcohol policy and champions corporate social responsibility, sustainability, responsible marketing and innovation in brewing.
About Beer Canada
Beer Canada is the sole national inclusive voice advocating on behalf of Canadian brewers of all sizes and regions and Canadian beer consumers. Beer Canada’s member companies brew 90% of all beer consumed by Canadians annually. The production, distribution and sale of beer support 149,000 Canadian jobs, generates $13.6 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $5.7 billion in government tax revenues. Beer Canada promotes moderate and responsible consumption by those of legal drinking age and is the authoritative source for data & information on the Canadian beer industry.
Media contact
Rahim Karmali
Director, Strategic Communications
Beer Canada | Bière Canada
rkarmali@beercanada.com
