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Prince Edward Islanders who have been missing their favourite American wines will soon have a chance to stock up.
The provincial government has directed the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission to put its existing inventory of U.S. alcohol on shelves starting Thursday, according to a news release Wednesday morning.
The net profits will be donated to food banks across the Island. The province expects about $600,000 will be returned to the government and donated over the coming months.
Cheques will be issued to food banks monthly beginning in January after sales have been finalized and expenses calculated, the release notes.
“This time of year especially there’s a focus on food banks and and supporting our local food banks,” Finance Minister Jill Burridge told CBC News.
“So it was a pretty easy decision to to make, to take all the net profits from the sales of U.S. alcohol and put it towards local food banks across P.E.I.”
Earlier this year, P.E.I., along with other Maritime provinces, pulled American alcohol products from provincial liquor store shelves in response to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Burridge said the stock of U.S. alcohol was stored in a warehouse, and much of it is now coming close to its expiration date.
The province said the American products will not be reordered once the current stock is sold.
Linda Somers, director of corporate affairs and regulatory services with the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission, said some stores may not have their shelves fully stocked with U.S. products and that selection will vary from location to location.
“Some have more wine, some have more spirits,” she said.
“As [customers] come into the liquor stores in the next few days, just be wary that we are still putting product on the shelves. There’s still product remaining in our warehouse. Stores will be replenished as they can.”
P.E.I.’s move follows similar actions in other Maritime provinces.
Nova Scotia is selling its remaining $14-million inventory of U.S. alcohol, with net profits of about $4 million going to Feed Nova Scotia and other community food groups.
New Brunswick also began selling its remaining U.S. alcohol stock at a warehouse location back in October.
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