Liquor stores in the United States and Canada have started dumping their stocks of Russian vodka in protest against President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, according to reports.
Canadian Provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland, British Columbia and Labrador have also removed Russian alcoholic beverages from the provinces’ store shelves.
Canada imported $4.8 million worth of alcoholic beverages from Russia in 2021, according to Statistics Canada.
In Ontario, Canada, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy has ordered the provincial liquor board to ask stores to remove Russian vodka and other alcoholic products, according to the Canadian Press.
“Ontario joins Canada’s allies in condemning the Russian government’s act of aggression against the Ukrainian people and we strongly support the federal government’s efforts to sanction the Russian government,” said Bethlenfalvy. “We will continue to be there for the people of Ukraine during this extremely difficult time.”
The products will be removed from nearly 700 stores across the province.
“Alongside Ukraine”
“Ontario and the LCBO can’t say they really stand with Ukraine while continuing to be Putin’s client,” said Steven Del Duca, leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
Elsewhere in Canada, stores in Manitoba, New Brunswick, British Columbia and Newfoundland were also taking similar measures.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation has removed Russian products from its shelves and website due “to the fact of the terrible events that are unfolding”.
British Columbia has stopped importing Russian alcohol, Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth has said.
“Our province stands with those who understand that peace in Europe after two world wars depends on respect for international law,” he told The Canadian Press.
“The whole world knows”
In the United States, the Jacob Liquor Exchange in Wichita, Kansas decided to remove its more than 100 bottles of Russian vodka from the shelves and poured some on the floor.
“I think the whole world now knows that Russia is at war with Ukraine for no apparent reason,” said Jamie Stratton, wine director and store partner at KSNW-TV in Wichita. “I guess that’s our sanction… and it may be small, but every little thing makes a difference.”
In Oregon, the owner of a bar in Bend filmed himself pouring all his Russian vodka, according to Portland’s FOX 12.
“Russia is acting like it’s 1939 and going into Europe with all the strength it has in Ukraine,” Pine Tavern owner Bill McCormick told the station. “I’m so concerned about it metastasizing to other countries.”
He said he stood to lose a few hundred dollars from the spilled vodka – but said the protest was worth it for him.
Bob Quay, owner of Bob’s Bar in Grand Rapids, Michigan, told MLive.com he pulled several bottles from his shelf as a “protest against the assault.”
“I just made the decision on the spot,” he told MLive.com. “It’s just something small that we can do.”
Meanwhile, the Canadian B.C. government liquor stores are pulling Russian vodka and other Russian liquor from store shelves in support of Ukraine.
The province is putting an “immediate halt” to the importation and sale of Russian liquor products from our B.C. liquor stores and provincial liquor distribution centres,” said Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth in a statement issued Friday.
The act is made in condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We join the prime minister (Justin Trudeau) and allied nations in deploring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Our province stands with those who understand Europe’s peace following two world wars depends on respecting international law,” said Farnworth.
The B.C. government is also contributing $1 million to the Red Cross to support the people of Ukraine.
Earlier, B.C. Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon also called for the removal of all Russian products from government liquor stores.
The B.C. Liquor and Distribution Branch carries five brands of alcoholic drinks made in Russia, including Russian Standard Vodka, Beluga Noble Russian Vodka, Russian Standard Platinum Vodka, Baikal Vodka and Baltika 7 Beer.
“We should do all we can to support the people of Ukraine and not benefit Putin’s regime while this unprovoked aggression continues,” said Falcon in a statement. “This is a concrete step we can take right now to show our solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”