The National Post reports in its Monday, edition that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says Ottawa will cap the annual alcohol excise tax increase on beer, spirits and wine at 2 per cent for an additional two years. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post reports that the alcohol excise tax had been set to rise on April 1 by 4.7 per cent, tied to inflation, but Ms. Freeland announced on Saturday that the increase is being capped at the lower rate until 2026. She said: "In recent years, we've seen that the cost of key ingredients for beer are rising due to the impact of global inflation, and that's been a real challenge for brewers in Canada. Our government really recognizes the value, particularly of small businesses and we also recognize the affordability challenges, so that's why we've taken this decision." The alcohol industry has been pushing the government to scrap the planned excise tax increase ahead of the April 1 deadline for the increase. Ms. Freeland also announced some tax relief for local craft breweries by cutting the excise duty rate in half for two years on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer. She said Canada's small craft brewers are an important contributor to the economy.