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Premier Rachel Notley took a swipe Tuesday at Brad Wall, accusing the Saskatchewan premier of conducting a “political drive-by” ahead of this week’s Council of Federation premiers meeting in Whitehorse. 

It appears to be “a summer tradition” for Wall, she said, chiding him for not simply picking up the phone and talking to her if he took issue with recently announced changes to Alberta’s beer tax. 

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“If he would actually like to see a solution, that is a better approach,” Notley said. 

“In the meantime, I will not be lectured about any efforts that our government might take … to support our small brewers, our economic diversification, our workers and our industries.” 

Wall was quick to retaliate. 

Wall said Tuesday afternoon his people did pick up the phone, contacting Notley’s office last week to discuss concerns that the tax could hit Saskatchewan businesses and cost jobs. 

“It’s not a drive-by.  It’s not even a walk-by,” he said. 

Last week, the Alberta government announced it would replace a sliding scale beer tax with a standard markup per-litre rate of $1.25 for all beer sold in the province, regardless of the size of the brewery or its origin. 

It says the plan establishes a level playing field for all beer sold in Alberta, which has the most open beer market in the nation.