Canadian Moonshiners Unite!

[Expat]

I think the real problem with any law change is that the number of people that would actually care is so low that there would be no one to take the bill forward to parliament and no motivation to vote for or against it. If the change was rolled up in some kind of omnibus bill it might pass but who has the interest in moving something like this forward? If there actually was a debate then zoning, safety, inspection, etc etc for small business and for personal consumption then the big alcohol companies that have people on payroll to fight against you making your own alcohol would jump in and come up with a hundred reasons why it is a terrible idea.

Correct on the first part, the number of people who want to do it is Low. I think you're incorrect about the second part, ALL the politicians (except for those with a libertarian leanings...perhaps) would vote against it because of the MASSIVE tax revenues generated by liquor sales monopoly. No government ever created that actually wants to lower its tax base...

I think you are substantially overestimating the tax revenues lost from distilling for home consumption in Canada.
Home distilling for a household would not result in any kind of meaningful loss in tax revenue.
I would venture to guess that the increased tax revenues from buying distilling hardware and supplies would offset it in most cases.
Not much different than being able to grow 4 pot plants in your basement.

Perhaps, but it still ain't happening.

[StillerBoy]

Governments, no matter what country in the world, are for the elite and powerful of within their country.. who ever thinks that the governments are there to help you/us, need to have his head adjusted to the realty of life..

There's an old saying - " do not disturb the beast while its sleeping, for fear of what it can do once awaken" or something to that effect.. so why create disturbence with needless request or thoughts to legalize the hobby..

I've been in this hobby for over 12 yrs now.. within the community of 10,000 I reside in, I'm aware of 11 others practicing the hobby, and that's no counting those outside the community,and in one way or another, as I've help most of them over the yrs.. yet no person of authority has come to my door want to search it in all those yrs.. I'm sure that the authorities are aware that the hobby is occurring.. but since everyone is behaving in good standard both by managing their still operating and keeping to themselves, the authorities have better things to do with their time..

So stop the fear of fearing, practice the hobby correctly, keep it to a small group, and enjoy the hobby.. and leave the beast do its thing for the elites and powerfuls.. and stop the bullshit of wanting to legalize it, because then it will become a nightmare..

Mars

[dunluce]

Home distilling for a household would not result in any kind of meaningful loss in tax revenue.

The lost in liquor tax revenue from home brewing would outweigh anything lost from distilling?

[goinbroke2]

When they allowed making beer and wine at home, did it kill any beer companies or did it put sales up?
Answer, sales climbed and all of a sudden the big companies are making “craft beer” too.

When they changed the laws here so a micro distillery could open, they took off and did sales drop for the big guys? Hell no, again, there are more sales now than ever before.

So what would happen if they legalized home distilling? A lot of start up small business selling everything from stills to consumables.
The only way it could happen though, is if big distillers could profit from it since they have the lobbyists.

I’m to the point though, to be honest, that I really don’t care if it’s legalized anymore. I’m going to do exactly what I’m doing now, law or no law. As far as getting caught? Cops have too many things to do now let alone catching somebody making a bit of likker. Especially since moonshine isn’t a political buzz word or have any interest.

Love to see it legalized, but just don’t care anymore.

[Seanjohn19]

What happens in Canada if you get caught with a hobby still not selling just making personal use? Jail time?big fine?

[still_stirrin]

What happens in Canada if you get caught with a hobby still not selling just making personal use? Jail time?big fine?

They put you on a “Moonshiners - Made in Canada” episode.

[zed255]

In Canada the still is not illegal, you can use it for other legitimate purposes like water or essential oils and the like. The product isn't illegal either, so long as you don't get caught selling it. The sticky point here is using the still to produce alcohol. You'd have to get caught actually making the likker, otherwise you just keep yer mouth shut and relax.

Site mantra:
Don't tell, don't sell.

[HDNB]

the written penalties are actually huge, but enforcement is non existent. they're too busy imposing curfews to have you off the street by 8pm and arresting kids for playing hockey on the ponds.

there has been only 2 people charged that i can find in history. one guy was making, adulterating and poisoning people somewhere around toronto quite a few years ago.
the other was some old dude making and selling out of his basement window (?) to high school kids in chilliwak bc. about 10 years ago
there was also a group of felons producing and selling through a chain of licensed establishments in Quebec. they got arrested for all manner of shit though, not just moonshining.

try to resist the urge to do something equally as stupid and you'll be fine. don't yell, don't sell.

i might add the era of the snitch is upon us, where by the government is encouraging people to rat out people for stopping to visit their girlfriends....and since that is actually happening, i guess douchbaggery has risen to a whole new level. may be worth it to stay even a little quieter than normal.

[tiramisu]

I have a uncle that was charged with home distilling about 30 years ago. I think it ended up costing him about $1500 and his distilling equipment in Manitoba. I'm told he made a decent Rye.

[Expat]

i might add the era of the snitch is upon us, where by the government is encouraging people to rat out people for stopping to visit their girlfriends....and since that is actually happening, i guess douchbaggery has risen to a whole new level. may be worth it to stay even a little quieter than normal.

+1 to this.

[StillerBoy]

I have a uncle that was charged with home distilling about 30 years ago.

Someone ratted on him or he was selling, otherwise they don't trouble anyone.. some 50 - 60 yrs home distilling was much more prevelance than today.. and I can remember went someone got into trouble, it was caused by a complain or selling.. and the same applies today.. that has not changed..

there has been only 2 people charged that i can find in history. one guy was making, adulterating and poisoning people somewhere around toronto quite a few years ago.
the other was some old dude making and selling out of his basement window (?) to high school kids in chilliwak bc. about 10 years ago

That has been the same results on the research done some 13 yrs back from my end of the woods.. if you keep quiet, you don't sell, don't tell the neighbors (that's the worst one in my view) or don't piss off anyone within your group, as those are the issues that problems arise from.. as they will only trouble you if they get a complain, which they have to act on it, otherwise they don't care.. if I can know who does distilling within my community, and there are about 10 - 12 of us, I'm sure the authorities know as well..

Everyone should stop fearing the fear, and enjoy the hobby..

Mars

[tiramisu]

I have a uncle that was charged with home distilling about 30 years ago.

Someone ratted on him or he was selling, otherwise they don't trouble anyone.. some 50 - 60 yrs home distilling was much more prevelance than today.. and I can remember went someone got into trouble, it was caused by a complain or selling.. and the same applies today.. that has not changed..

Yup. He had a fight with his son-in-law who had assaulted his daughter and this was the scumbag's revenge.
That said the outcome was fairly non-dramatic.

I watched a cbc video recently on a fellow that got a $500 fine and he was selling it to friends and neighbours.
Stovetop still.

[StillerBoy]

if you keep quiet, you don't sell, don't tell the neighbors (that's the worst one in my view) or don't piss off anyone within your group, as those are the issues that problems arise from.. as they will only trouble you if they get a complain, which they have to act on it, otherwise they don't care..

As one of your family member has experience the wrath of the authorities.. and since your new and eager. follow the advise mention and you'll be good to enjoy the hobby without issues.. otherwise, well who knows...

Mars

[dunluce]

...You'd have to get caught actually making the likker, otherwise you just keep yer mouth shut and relax.....

I'd only get caught making fuel for my Porsche.

Only the best for her!

[Seanjohn19]

Im Canadian aswell

[Seanjohn19]

What happens in Canada if you get caught with a hobby still not selling just making personal use? Jail time?big fine?

They put you on a “Moonshiners - Made in Canada” episode.

they would just put me in jail because my still is so crappy

[Seanjohn19]

the written penalties are actually huge, but enforcement is non existent. they're too busy imposing curfews to have you off the street by 8pm and arresting kids for playing hockey on the ponds.

there has been only 2 people charged that i can find in history. one guy was making, adulterating and poisoning people somewhere around toronto quite a few years ago.
the other was some old dude making and selling out of his basement window (?) to high school kids in chilliwak bc. about 10 years ago
there was also a group of felons producing and selling through a chain of licensed establishments in Quebec. they got arrested for all manner of shit though, not just moonshining.

try to resist the urge to do something equally as stupid and you'll be fine. don't yell, don't sell.

i might add the era of the snitch is upon us, where by the government is encouraging people to rat out people for stopping to visit their girlfriends....and since that is actually happening, i guess douchbaggery has risen to a whole new level. may be worth it to stay even a little quieter than normal.

I'm never planning on selling anything, i don't even plan on letting anyone but the wife know it's just one of those things u keep quiet.

[Seanjohn19]

I have a uncle that was charged with home distilling about 30 years ago.

Someone ratted on him or he was selling, otherwise they don't trouble anyone.. some 50 - 60 yrs home distilling was much more prevelance than today.. and I can remember went someone got into trouble, it was caused by a complain or selling.. and the same applies today.. that has not changed..

there has been only 2 people charged that i can find in history. one guy was making, adulterating and poisoning people somewhere around toronto quite a few years ago.
the other was some old dude making and selling out of his basement window (?) to high school kids in chilliwak bc. about 10 years ago

That has been the same results on the research done some 13 yrs back from my end of the woods.. if you keep quiet, you don't sell, don't tell the neighbors (that's the worst one in my view) or don't piss off anyone within your group, as those are the issues that problems arise from.. as they will only trouble you if they get a complain, which they have to act on it, otherwise they don't care.. if I can know who does distilling within my community, and there are about 10 - 12 of us, I'm sure the authorities know as well..

Everyone should stop fearing the fear, and enjoy the hobby..

Mars

That's kinda what I was thinking if you tell the wrong person and they go and lie saying that your selling it the Mounties have no choice.. don't tell anyone and definitely don't do them wrong..

[Smog]

As a non-canadian, I'm currious about canadian politics, and am reading up on current stuff. With Block Quebeck Party's succesionest stance, where do they stand on legalizing homedistilling for Quebeck ?

It is an old post but I will answer a part of it. think of The Bloc Quebecois as a party that will fight to bring in as many responsibilities as possible under the provincial/state umbrella. Sure the party was born as a separatist movement but they are now more like the watchdog that want the keep the federal governement out of the provincial/state affairs. At some point it was said that what the Bloc party was fighting for, was also in the best interest of the other provinces.

Would this be good for the home distiller... I don't think so because Quebec government is known to stick their fingers into everything and they will want to protect the goverment monopoly of alcohol distribution and sales.

[dukethebeagle120]

As a non-canadian, I'm currious about canadian politics, and am reading up on current stuff. With Block Quebeck Party's succesionest stance, where do they stand on legalizing homedistilling for Quebeck ?

It is an old post but I will answer a part of it. think of The Bloc Quebecois as a party that will fight to bring in as many responsibilities as possible under the provincial/state umbrella. Sure the party was born as a separatist movement but they are now more like the watchdog that want the keep the federal governement out of the provincial/state affairs. At some point it was said that what the Bloc party was fighting for, was also in the best interest of the other provinces.

Would this be good for the home distiller... I don't think so because Quebec government is known to stick their fingers into everything and they will want to protect the goverment monopoly of alcohol distribution and sales.

+1 to that.
Forget getting a permit to sell here in quebecistan.
Gotta almost mortgage the wife.
The government has monopoly on eveything.
Anyway,its a hobby
Enjoy it.
I am not to shy about what i do.
People know
But i have never sold.
So if the sq comes a raiding
Well,its to be a pain in the ass.
I know neigbors who do worse

[Saltbush Bill]

Skating on thin ice there Smog,
Suggest you re read the rules again carefully, pay special attention to the part about politics.
https://homedistiller.org/forum/app.php/rules

[Smog]

Skating on thin ice there Smog,
Suggest you re read the rules again

Yup, that's why I kept it all related to reasons why it might not be a good thing to bring regulation to a state/provincial level. At least for where I live.

[goinbroke2]

[/quote]

I'd only get caught making fuel for my Porsche.

Only the best for her!
[/quote]

If your Porsche runs on alcohol, you don’t want to be making it, way too expensive and you’d require way too much.
In the dragster I ran methyl hydrate, you know, the stuff for anti gel in diesels? Give it a squirt of gas to fire it then it will stay running on alcohol. If the engine is hot it will fire on alchy.
Have to jet it fatter, it calls for around 5:1 where gas is 12:1.
Barrel of racing meth is around $300 (or was) and a barrel of vp12 race gas is about $650. Methyl hydrate was $205 per barrel.

Anyway, thought about it for the dragster and race car, alcohol is more consistent and runs way cooler but I went through way too many gallons per weekend to even consider it. I’d need a 300 gal still! Lol!

[dunluce]

If your Porsche runs on alcohol, you don’t want to be making it, way too expensive and you’d require way too much.

Sarcasm escaped you.

[goinbroke2]

Lol!.....yeah...I’m a hard core drag racer and sometimes gloss over the obvious to talk about it. Some things don’t register until I go back and reread them but still think, well of course everyone would understand “nailed the tree and fed them the stripe, love backing into a win”
But people look at me and say “sarcasm escaped you” lol!!!