Latest news with #Canada-first
Global News
15-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
B.C. grocer avoids selling U.S. produce for 117 days in what expert calls a ‘real' boycott
A grocery store in Victoria, B.C., has avoided selling U.S. produce for 117 days. Garth Green, general manager of Urban Grocer, says when U.S. Donald Trump launched his trade war on Canada in March, they decided to pull all U.S.-grown produce from the shelves. And so far, it's been a big success. 'We're, you know, just really trying to promote the local farms,' he said. 'And the Canadian farms. And so it's been very, very good for us. The customers have been very appreciative of it.' The experiment has not been without its challenges. When Green found out they could only get cauliflower from the U.S., he realized it was currently cauliflower season in Holland. Story continues below advertisement 'So we reached out to a few suppliers and said, 'Hey, can you get Holland cauliflower for us?'' he said. 'We ended up finding some, brought it in, and you know it's a little bit more expensive to bring in because you're flying it in. But we just took, you know, a less margin, sell it at a regular price and be able to give the customer something that they can buy until B.C. cauliflower was available.' 6:19 50% tariffs to hit Canadian copper imports to the U.S. Green said local farmers are now reaching out to offer produce to their customers. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'There's people every day almost that come in here and say, 'You know, we hear what you're doing and we love it and we'd love to join on board with you and really shop here,''' he added. Green added that it is unfortunate that it took something like the trade war to make this change but he is happy it has been so successful. Story continues below advertisement 'We've got a Canada-first motto that we like to push, but, you know, we're also not blind to the fact that you can't get everything from Canada, right?' he said. 'And so, you know, even across the store, we are working towards trying to go all Canadian if possible. It's going to be a lot harder, but we've started the process and started to weed out some of the suppliers that we don't need.' 0:27 Business response to Trump's 35% tariff threat Sylvain Charlebois, with the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University, researches food distribution, security and safety. He told Global News that what Urban Grocer is doing points to a broader movement against American products at the grocery store. 'What's really interesting is that people haven't really boycotted chains like Walmart or Costco, but they're boycotting products,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'And the boycott naturally worked. If you look at the data, not surveys, actual sales data, according to NielsenIQ, by volume, sales for American food products are down about 8.5 per cent.' Charlebois said in the food retail business, that number is huge. 'That's a boycott. That's the boycott now,' he added. Charlebois added that while consumers are seeing fewer U.S. products, they are seeing more products from around the world so it does not necessarily mean that Canadian product companies are benefiting from the boycott. 'The boycott is absolutely real. So this boutique store is a good, strong case study for what actually is happening across the country.'
Winnipeg Free Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jimmy John's readies two Winnipeg links in sandwich chain
Turkey Tom is prepping for his move to Winnipeg. Until last year, sandwich chain Jimmy John's franchises were found solely in the United States. It's since been expanding within Canada — and at least two locations could open in Winnipeg this fall. Posters displaying sandwiches — perhaps not the Turkey Tom, but meaty options — plaster 1740 Pembina Hwy. and 1430 Ellice Ave. Both sites were construction zones Monday. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Jimmy John's, a U.S. sandwich chain, is opening in Winnipeg at 1430 Ellice Ave. Jimmy John's stayed mum on details but confirmed 'several' eateries are planned. Autumn could bring opening dates, the company shared. It will release more information nationally in upcoming weeks. Last year, the chain's parent company, Inspire Brands LLC, announced it would use a franchise model for a Canadian expansion. Just one Canadian location has launched thus far, in Toronto. 'I think this is a good fit for our local community looking for more restaurants,' said Sijie Sun, a University of Manitoba marketing professor. He asks his students to choose brands they'd like to bring to Winnipeg for a class project; Jimmy John's is often mentioned, Sun said. The Illinois-based company started in 1983 with four sandwich types. It now counts more than 2,000 stores and a slate of choices, including 'unwiches,' where buns are swapped for lettuce exteriors. The Winnipeg market will be competitive, Sun noted: Subway, Firehouse Subs and Tim Hortons are among the big sandwich-selling chains already in town. 'If there's more options, definitely people try the new one,' Sun said, adding brands create loyal customers. He's noticed American-born chains advertising local leadership at their Winnipeg hubs as a U.S.-Canada trade war persists. Grocery stores are labelling Canadian products as shoppers turn from U.S. imports. Jimmy John's will likely highlight its own connection with Canada, Sun said. 'I think this is a good fit for our local community looking for more restaurants.'–Sijie Sun 'You almost wonder, is this a good time (to come)?' added Wenlong Yuan, the Stu Clark chair in entrepreneurship and innovation at the U of M. 'Are they going to be damaged because of this political issue?' Arby's and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers locations opened within the past four months, amid a 'Buy Canadian' push. Arby's ran out of meat on its first day due to demand; Freddy's was met with great anticipation. It's 'really hard to tell' whether companies are being stunted by a Canada-first sentiment, Yuan stated. U.S. chains including Krispy Kreme and Firehouse Subs have arrived in Winnipeg over the past 1.5 years. Winnipeg's size and diverse population can be a draw for businesses wanting to try operating in Canada, Yuan said. Franchisees may be locals wanting to bring the brand home or they may have experienced Winnipeg via family and friends. Inspire Brands tapped Foodtastic Inc., a Canadian franchisor, to expand Jimmy John's across Canada. Inspire Brands houses labels like Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings and Dunkin'. Foodtastic counted more than 1,100 restaurants in January 2024 — the month of the deal's announcement — and $1.1 billion in sales. The Montreal-based company umbrellas Freshii, Second Cup Café and Pita Pit, among others. Jimmy John's Toronto location opened in November 2024. In September and October, the chain unrolled in El Salvador and South Korea. In Winnipeg, it's taking a former Urban Barn space off Ellice Avenue. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Jimmy John's is also opening a location at 1-1740 Pembina Hwy. 'I think another restaurant always brings in more people to the area,' said Desiree Rafael, an employee at neighbouring Acuity Vision Care. 'If they see that there is an optometry practice by where they're eating, then maybe they'll be inclined to come get their eyes checked.' The Jimmy John's off Pembina Highway replaces a Macao Imperial Tea. Jimmy John's wouldn't comment on whether more Manitoba shops are coming. Redberry Restaurants, parent company of sandwich brand Jersey Mike's Subs, said in January 2024 it aimed to open 300 Canadian locations by 2034. Redberry Restaurants didn't respond to questions about Winnipeg plans by print deadline. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Global News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Manitoba to bolster wildfire-fighting efforts with 3 new water bombers
Manitoba says it's working to help manage wildfires in the future by upgrading the province's fleet of water bombers. Premier Wab Kinew and Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie announced Friday that three new DH Canadair-415 Firefighter aircraft will include safety upgrades, as well as increased water tank capacity and updated navigation systems. 'Water bombers are an integral aircraft for managing and suppressing wildfires, and a fully functioning fleet of aircraft is required to protect Manitoba communities, property and forests from the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires,' Bushie said. 'The investment in these water bombers is a part of our increased investments in firefighting services that will improve safety for Manitoba families, communities and forests for years to come.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The province said the first of the three new bombers is expected join the fleet in 2031, with the others following in 2032. Story continues below advertisement Kinew said the upgrade to the fleet is part of the government's commitment to help firefighters with the tools they need, and is part of a larger investment in firefighting services provincewide over the next few years. 'We're protecting the people of Manitoba, along with their communities, property and valued forests, from the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in a manner that aligns with our Canada-first approach by ensuring these aircrafts are made in Canada,' he said. The Manitoba Conservation and Wildfire Service called the move 'a monumental commitment.' 'These aircraft will bolster the province's fleet of air attack aircraft, which is critical to keeping Manitobans safe as we continue to see increases in wildfire frequency, intensity and season length,' the service's director, Earl Simmons, said.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump ‘resuscitated' Canada's Liberal Party: Stirewalt
(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump's 'antagonistic' relationship with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was enough to invigorate liberals to reject a far more conservative candidate, according to NewsNation political editor Chris Stirewalt. 'There was a conservative candidate in the upcoming elections in Canada. Pierre Poilievre was sort of a MAGA-ish, Canada-first kind of guy, the kind of person who American Republicans would probably prefer to be in charge,' said Stirewalt. 'But Canadians got so freaked out. They got so rattled by what was going on between Canada and the United States and the threats of trade war that Trump actually managed to resuscitate the Liberal Party in Canada, of which Carney is the leader now.' Trump said Friday that his first call with new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was 'extremely productive' and Carney said talks on a new relationship will begin after the Canadian election next month. Trump tells automakers not to raise prices over tariff: Official The call came as Trump declared a trade war on Canada and threatened to use economic coercion to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, a position that has infuriated Canadians. Trump avoided any mention of that in his social media post. Stirewalt believes Trump 'tipped over' Canadian politics by giving Canadians a 'common enemy' in Trump and U.S. trade policy. Despite the current rocky relationship, Stirewalt says the two countries have a common bond and will likely remain allies. 'Something like two-thirds of the Canadian population lives within a short drive to the U.S. border; we're very closely connected. I assume that in the long run, the strong and healthy and happy friendship between Canada and the United States will be resumed.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
13-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
B.C.'s Official Opposition introduces bill to prevent future time changes
Social Sharing Still sleepy from this week's time change? B.C's Official Opposition hopes to make political hay in the sunshine and has introduced a bill that calls for the immediate end to any future time changes in the province. The catch is getting the government to support it. "Let's get this implemented," said John Rustad as he rose in the legislature Thursday to introduce his bill: Interpretation (Uniform Pacific Time Zone) Amendment Act. "Let's end these time changes in British Columbian for people's health." Rustad told the house people in the province are done with twice-yearly time changes, citing consequences such as sleep deprivation, health issues, and car accidents. To drive home the urgency for a change, Rustad's party went further in its argument, saying the change could be part of the "elbows up," Canada-first approach in its trade war with the U.S. "This premier wants to wait for the U.S. before we make a decision about B.C. for B.C.," said Ward Stamer, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson, during question period. "So, Mr. Speaker, how can the premier claim he is elbows up against becoming the 51st state while allowing the U.S. to dictate how we set our clocks?" WATCH: CBC News explains how 'elbows up' became a Canadian rallying cry: Why Canadians are saying 'Elbows Up' 2 days ago Duration 1:18 It's become a rallying cry against U.S. tariffs. But in hockey-loving Canada, the phrase also evokes memories of one of the game's greatest players: Saskatchewan-born Gordie Howe. Known to many as Mr. Hockey, he also earned the nickname Mr. Elbows. In 2019, more than 223,000 British Columbians voted on whether or not to stop switching clocks, with 93 per cent of participants voting in favour of a move to permanent daylight time. Switching to permanent standard time was not a voting option. The NDP government passed legislation to make the change, but with no firm timeline. Premier David Eby has said the change wouldn't be enacted until B.C.'s American neighbours — including Washington state, Oregon and California — did the same. In response to an inquiry before the time change on March 9, which questioned waiting on the U.S. due to the ongoing trade war, Eby said he would "ponder" expediting it. Rustad's motion doesn't appear to have sparked any urgency from the premier, though. "Trust me, I am as sympathetic as the next guy to kids that have trouble adjusting to time changes or pets or just waking up feeling like you're an hour behind. But in this moment, that is not government's No. 1 priority," he said Thursday. WATCH: CBC News explains the effects of twice-yearly clock changes: How the time change in B.C. affects your health 6 days ago Duration 1:55 While many people are resisting the change to daylight time, CBC reporter Tara Carman found regional differences to staying with one time zone, while SFU psychology professor Myriam Juda says the time change has a big impact on our health. Rustad said if the government supported his bill, it could be passed "in a day" and then quickly enacted. The first reading of the Interpretation (Uniform Pacific Time Zone) Amendment Act was passed in the legislature on Thursday and will now go to second reading.
