<p>Another step towards its transformation into a 'video first' platform. </p>
Another step towards its transformation into a 'video first' platform.
Ayra Starr is showing us exactly why she’s a star—and this time, it’s not just for her music. The Afrobeats sensation has taken to Instagram…
President Donald Trump said he expects a report next week detailing the two assassination attempts on his life in 2024, and he may release it to the public.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/an-saq-store-sign-in-montreal.png?id=34660264&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C12%2C0%2C12"/><br/><br/><p>Quebecers might not see American liquor on the shelves for quite some time. The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/saq-price-increase-2025" target="_blank">Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)</a> will be pulling all U.S.-made alcohol from its stores this week in response to the <a href="https://www.narcity.com/trump-tariffs-canada-how-might-impact-you" target="_blank">25% tariffs recently imposed by Donald Trump's administration</a>.</p><p>Quebec is following <a href="https://www.narcity.com/doug-ford-tariff-threat-us-liquor-lcbo" target="_blank">Ontario's lead in banning American alcohol</a>, a move Finance Minister Eric Girard says is meant to protect Quebec's economy, local businesses, and consumers. Girard also hinted that more measures will follow.</p><p>"In reaction to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, we have asked [the SAQ] to remove American products from its shelves. More actions will follow. We will protect our economy, businesses, and citizens," the minister wrote in an X post that was later <a href="https://x.com/francoislegault?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1886116012048703912%7Ctwgr%5E97ecf5d0f6ab7203a2db7cb013b3863cc8e88c20%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtlblog.com%2Fr%2Fentryeditor%2F2671080549publish">reposted</a> by Quebec Premier François Legault.</p><blockquote class="rm-embed twitter-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1886116012048703912"> <div style="margin:1em 0"></div> — (@) <a href="https://twitter.com/francoislegault/status/1886116012048703912"></a> </blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>Legault confirmed that as of Tuesday, February 4, no American-made alcohol will be sold at SAQ locations or supplied to grocery stores, bars, agencies, or restaurants across the province. While the ban will take effect immediately, it may take a few days before all products disappear completely.</p><p>The SAQ is already equipped with a wide selection of alternatives for common imported bottles, including Canadian wines and Quebec-made spirits from brands like Distillerie du Square, 3 Lacs, BluePearl, Les Subversifs, Cherry River, Cirka, Menaud, and Noroi.</p><p>Popular American alcohol brands that will disappear from SAQ shelves include California wines, Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, Southern Comfort, Tito’s, The Kraken, Sailor Jerry, Smirnoff, Sour Puss, and White Claw.</p><p>For now, the SAQ has yet to confirm how it will handle existing stock or the financial impact of the decision.</p><p>The lifting of foreign liquor comes a few days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would join Mexico in imposing retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion worth of goods, including alcohol. </p><blockquote class="rm-embed twitter-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1886164961400869251"> <div style="margin:1em 0"></div> — (@) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1886164961400869251"></a> </blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>With a trade war now in effect, Trump and Trudeau are expected to speak to each other on Monday morning, as per <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5122268-trump-to-speak-with-trudeau-mexico-after-imposing-tariffs/" target="_blank">The Hill</a>.</p><p>"I don't expect anything very dramatic. We put tariffs on. They owe us a lot of money, and I’m sure they're going to pay," the President said when asked about the meeting.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
