Doerkson says American liquor stays off BC shelves as trade war goes on
BC premier-designate Lorne Doerkson says the trade dispute with the United States will not end soon, even after Democrats took control of both houses of Congress on Tuesday.
Long read. The subject the most local outlets covered that day, with the public record behind it. Every outlet and record is linked under the story. Read the original report on timescolonist.com.
BC's incoming premier says Tuesday's US midterm results will not end the trade dispute between Canada and the United States. The American liquor ban in BC stores stays in place.
Lorne Doerkson made the comments on Wednesday, November 4, as reported by The Canadian Press and carried by the Times Colonist, Castanet, CHEK News and others. Democrats took control of both houses of Congress after the November 4 vote. Doerkson said the results do not change his view of when the dispute ends.
"The goal is to protect local industries against American tariffs and strengthen BC's partnerships with anybody who wants to continue to do business with the province," Doerkson said, as reported by The Canadian Press.
He added that until the trade war is resolved, American liquor will stay off the shelves of BC Liquor Distribution Branch stores.
What the midterm results changed
Democrats winning both the House and the Senate gives them control over federal legislation in the United States. That is a change from the period between 2024 and 2026, when Republicans controlled Congress.
The tariffs that started the trade dispute, though, are executive orders from President Donald Trump's administration. Executive orders do not require Congress to pass them, and Congress changing hands does not automatically cancel them.
Doerkson told reporters he does not give any thoughts to what Trump says. He said his focus is now on preparing to assume government on November 20.
What the platform promised
The Conservative Party of BC's 2026 platform, on page 26, made two specific commitments about trade. It promised to "open new markets, end over-reliance on one market, and reduce trade and labour barriers within Canada."
That promise applies directly to BC's trading relationship with the United States. The province sends a large portion of its exports south of the border, including lumber, natural gas and agricultural goods.
The platform also committed to the Pacific Link Pipeline, which Doerkson said would create new routes to get BC's natural resources to markets other than the United States. That promise is on the government tracker at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker#gov-promise-open-new-export-markets.
A second platform commitment, also on page 26, promised to "reduce trade and labour barriers within Canada." That is a separate measure from opening new international markets, aimed at making it easier for BC goods and workers to move within the country.
What the liquor ban means
BC introduced a ban on American liquor in its government-run stores earlier in 2026 as one of several retaliatory measures against US tariffs on Canadian goods. Other provinces took similar steps.
Doerkson's statement on Wednesday makes clear he intends to keep the ban as long as US tariffs on BC goods continue. His government takes power on November 20, and he will be in a position to change or end the ban at that point.
The Conservative platform, page 28, promised to move liquor and cannabis regulation into the Ministry of Economic Development. That is a separate step from the trade-related ban, though both touch how the province manages alcohol sales.
The swearing-in and what comes next
Doerkson's transition to government is being led by Kim Henderson, who previously served as deputy minister to former premier Christy Clark. His chief of staff will be Dimitri Pantazopoulos, who served as deputy campaign manager during the October 24 election.
According to The Tyee's report from the November 2 caucus meeting in Victoria, MLAs will be sworn in on November 19. The cabinet will be announced on November 20, the day the new government takes power.
At that caucus meeting, Doerkson listed priorities for his government: fully funding public health care, no new taxes, PST exemptions for small businesses, repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, building infrastructure, encouraging LNG development and supporting forestry.
There is talk, reported by The Tyee, of a short legislature session in early December, but it was not confirmed at the time of writing.
What was promised
The Conservative platform, page 26, committed to opening new markets and reducing BC's reliance on the US as its main trading partner. The exact words: "We will open new markets, end over-reliance on one market, and reduce trade and labour barriers within Canada."
That promise is now tied to decisions the cabinet will make after November 20. The cabinet's composition will determine which minister is responsible for trade and economic development.
What BC residents can do
The cabinet announcement on November 20 is the next date to watch. It will name the minister responsible for trade, and the minister responsible for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch. Those two appointments will shape how quickly the government acts on its trade diversification promise.
Residents who want to follow Doerkson's progress on this commitment can track it at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker. The platform promise to open new markets is listed there under the government's Economy commitments.
Questions this story answers
What did Doerkson say about the trade war after the US midterm elections?
Speaking on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, as reported by The Canadian Press, Doerkson said he does not see a quick end to the trade dispute with the United States, even though Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections. He said his focus is on preparing to take office on November 20.
Will American liquor come back to BC stores?
No, not while the trade war continues. Doerkson said American liquor will stay off the shelves of BC liquor stores until the trade dispute with the United States is resolved. This ban was introduced by the previous BC NDP government as a retaliatory measure against US tariffs.
What did the US midterm elections change?
Democrats took control of both houses of Congress on November 4, 2026. That changes who controls federal legislation in the United States, but the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump's administration are executive orders, not acts of Congress. Doerkson told reporters on Wednesday he does not give any thoughts to what Trump says.
When will Doerkson and his cabinet be sworn in?
MLA members of the new Conservative government will be sworn in on November 19, 2026. The cabinet will be announced on November 20, 2026, the same day the new government formally assumes power, according to The Tyee's report from the November 2 caucus meeting.
What did the Conservative platform promise about trade?
The Conservative Party of BC's 2026 platform, on page 26, promised to open new markets and end BC's over-reliance on one market. It also promised to reduce trade and labour barriers within Canada. The promise to open new export markets is listed in Doerkson's tracker at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker#gov-promise-open-new-export-markets.
What other priorities did Doerkson name after winning the election?
At the November 2 caucus meeting in Victoria, as reported by The Tyee, Doerkson listed his priorities as fully funding public health care, no new taxes, PST exemptions for small businesses, repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, building infrastructure, encouraging LNG development and supporting forestry.
What can BC residents expect between now and November 20?
Doerkson's transition team is led by Kim Henderson, who previously served as deputy minister to former premier Christy Clark. His chief of staff will be Dimitri Pantazopoulos. The government is in a transition period, and no new policy decisions are expected before the cabinet is announced on November 20.
Where does the trade war stand with BC industries?
Doerkson said his goal is to protect local industries against American tariffs and strengthen BC's partnerships with trading partners who want to continue doing business with the province. He did not name specific industries or give figures in his November 4 remarks, as reported by The Canadian Press and the Times Colonist.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- Times Colonist: B.C. premier-designate Doerkson doesn't see quick end to trade war post U.S. midterms (The Canadian Press)timescolonist.com
- The Tyee: BC Conservatives Crushed NDP in Pre-Election Fundraisingthetyee.ca
- Conservative Party of BC platform 2026, page 26conservativebc.ca
- Castanet: B.C. premier-designate Doerkson doesn't see quick end to trade war post U.S. midtermscastanet.net
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