A Defiant Beer Run Sparks New Debate on Canadian Unity and Trade

What has been dubbed one of the most memorable beer runs in Canadian history ultimately raised profound questions about the nation’s identity and internal trade barriers.

In 2012, Gerard Comeau, a lineman by trade, returned to his native New Brunswick in his Honda Accord, carrying a trunk filled with inexpensive beer purchased in Quebec. Authorities stopped him, confiscated the beer, and issued a fine for exceeding the province’s legal limit on alcohol imports.

Despite his quiet demeanor, Comeau challenged the ruling all the way to the Supreme Court, questioning why Canada’s foundational Constitution Act, which promises free trade across the country, did not prevent provinces from imposing such restrictions. He questioned why provinces act as isolated jurisdictions, why a Quebec brewery could export more easily to France than to neighboring New Brunswick, and ultimately, whether Canada functions as a unified country.

“For Canada to be a real nation, it has to embrace open trade between its provinces,” said Comeau, now retired at 71. “Right now, every province is operating separately.”

Although the Supreme Court ruled against Comeau in 2018, recent geopolitical pressures and national policy shifts suggest a move toward dismantling these internal trade barriers.

In response to economic tariffs imposed by the United States, Canada’s leadership has prioritized eliminating regulations that hinder commerce between its ten provinces and three territories. Advocates argue that removing these obstacles would strengthen the national economy and reduce dependence on the U.S., promising one of the most significant economic transformations in Canada since World War II.