Across Canada, the craft beer industry is taking flight. But a local business owner says this province is falling behind during a critical stage of growth.

Chris Conway, of Landwash Brewery, says antiquated taxation models are putting a barrier in front of craft brewery startups in this province, and because of that Newfoundland and Labrador is losing out.

In a call to VOCM Openline with Paddy Daly, Conway says he ran the numbers and found he would be paying about $10-thousand less per month in Ontario, versus what he would pay for a comparable brewery locally.

He says high tax rates are ‘unbearable’ and put a hefty burden on local businesses, which result in higher product costs for consumers.

While this province was fairly late on the craft brewery kick, Conway says it has the opportunity to harness the potential of the unprecedented growth they’re witnessing in the local industry.

The point, he says, isn’t to ask for a tax break. Rather, he’s hoping to see a review of the taxation model to bring tax rates into parity with other provinces.