New Brunswick Regulation 2025-27 introduces amendments to New Brunswick Regulation 84-265 under the Liquor Control Act. The changes focus on clarifying and expanding the provisions related to the importation of liquor into the province. The amendment adds a new section, 63.5, which specifies the classes of individuals and the jurisdictions that are authorized for liquor importation under paragraph 134(4)(b) of the Act.

Under the new section, the prescribed class for importation consists of manufacturers of liquor who are authorized to sell their products. This provision essentially formalizes the recognition of licensed liquor manufacturers as eligible participants in the interprovincial importation framework. The inclusion of this category ensures that only recognized and regulated producers are allowed to engage in such activities, which strengthens oversight and reinforces the province’s regulatory control over alcohol distribution channels. By limiting import rights to licensed manufacturers, the regulation aims to safeguard product quality, maintain legal compliance, and reduce the risk of illicit or unregulated liquor entering the market.

In addition to defining the eligible class of importers, the regulation prescribes specific provinces and territories from which liquor can be imported into New Brunswick under these rules. The approved jurisdictions include Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Yukon. This list encompasses most Canadian provinces and one northern territory, enabling a broad network of interprovincial trade relationships while maintaining a controlled scope. Notably, certain jurisdictions—such as Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut—are absent from the list, meaning liquor importation from those regions is not covered under this provision. The omission of these areas could be due to differing regulatory frameworks, logistical considerations, or policy decisions related to supply and quality control.

By naming these provinces and territories explicitly, the regulation creates a clear and transparent framework for both producers and consumers. Manufacturers in the listed jurisdictions can be assured that their products are eligible for import into New Brunswick, provided they meet all licensing and authorization requirements. At the same time, local importers, retailers, and consumers benefit from greater clarity about where their alcohol can be sourced from legally. This structured approach also supports interprovincial commerce within a controlled legal environment, which is consistent with broader economic and trade policies in Canada that encourage free movement of goods between provinces, while still allowing each jurisdiction to impose conditions in the interest of public health, safety, and revenue protection.

The regulation also reflects the province’s ongoing modernization of its liquor control laws. By codifying specific provisions for the importation of alcohol, the government is aligning its rules with contemporary trade and distribution practices in the Canadian alcohol industry.

New Brunswick (27/2025) August 12, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.