Key Takeaways
- $176.9M renews the wine support program.
- Money starts flowing in 2027–28.
- Total program support reaches $520.1M.
A Renewal Announced at Both Ends of Wine Country
The federal government is renewing the Wine Sector Support Program with $176.9 million over three years starting in 2027–28, Budget 2026 funding that was announced on November 13 in both Niagara-on-the-Lake and Kelowna.
Secretary of State Adam van Koeverden made the announcement at Jackson-Triggs Winery in Niagara, while MP Stephen Fuhr carried the same message to industry representatives in Kelowna. The program gives direct support to licensed Canadian wineries to help them manage rising input costs, stabilize operations, keep buying grapes from independent Canadian farmers and compete globally.
The new money builds on $343 million previously invested — $520.1 million committed to the sector across eight years of the program.
Why Ottawa keeps writing the cheque
The government frames Canadian wine as a $10.1 billion economic engine. In British Columbia alone, the industry supports more than $4 billion in economic activity and over 13,600 jobs, according to Wine Growers British Columbia.
"The Canadian wine industry plays an important role in supporting jobs, businesses, and local economies across the country," said Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald. "By extending support to the Wine Sector Support Program through Budget 2026, the government is helping strengthen the sector's resilience and competitiveness."
"This is a significant win for BC wine," added Jeff Guignard, CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia.
The Twikup Take
Wine is one of the few Canadian products that is place, farm and factory at once — which is why it keeps winning support across governments. The test of this renewal is whether $176.9 million buys competitiveness, or simply postpones a harder conversation about costs.
Image: Illustrative image.