Eby argued that lifting the alcohol ban now would amount to abandoning British Columbia’s forestry sector, which continues to face steep U.S. tariffs. While British Columbia has maintained its alcohol boycott, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said her province will not remove American alcohol from store shelves. Rather than criticizing Alberta’s approach, Eby suggested the differing provincial strategies have unintentionally benefited Canada by creating multiple lines of communication with U.S. officials. According to the premier’s office, he reaffirmed British Columbia’s commitment to keeping U.S. alcohol off store shelves until a broader trade agreement is reached. Eby’s comments double down on his remarks from last week, when he said there’s “not a chance in hell” American alcohol would return to Canadian shelves.