Latest news with #pro-Canadian
Hamilton Spectator
29-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Program provides a boost to Canada's agri-food sector
A new initiative looks to help promote and give recognition to all aspects of Canada's robust food system. Canada's Food System is a new nationwide initiative launched by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CFFI) on May 15. The idea stemmed from CFFI research last fall that found fewer than half of Canadians held a positive view of the Canadian agri-food system. CFFI executive director Lisa Bishop-Spencer said those results represented a huge drop-off from the previous year. 'That suggested that there was an issue. Trust is fragile, and global uncertainty and misinformation only made that harder to maintain,' said Bishop-Spencer. The survey numbers led to a public awareness campaign that would try to change that sentiment. Then, this past January, there was a major shift in the feelings towards Canadian pride in response to U.S. president Donald Trump's tariff war and' 51st state' discussions taking over the news cycle. That prompted people to take a closer look at the home-grown Canadian systems that we have in place, said Bishop-Spencer. 'So, amid those challenges, we saw a strong pro-Canadian sentiment taking root. Canadians, we saw starting to rally behind the food system. They recognized its value and importance to national prosperity.' She added that was a pivotal moment to harness the newfound support, strengthen public trust and build a long-lasting momentum. That is when Canada's Food System was born to recognize everyone from 'before the gate to beyond the plate.' 'We created a program designed to elevate Canada's Food System to become or re-establish its place as a core Canadian value and reverse that indifference, enhance public trust and deepen people's understanding of the food system.' A part of the campaign involves boosting recognition of all facets of the system, including local producers, and strengthening the local economy. 'A strong domestic and export market ensures food safety and food security, supports local economies, and reinforces the resilience of the entire food chain,' said Bishop-Spencer. 'For the local producer, it's a chance for them to get the recognition they deserve. It's a chance for them to become recognized and appreciated for their work.' It's also an opportunity to show off the many different innovations that have given Canada the ability to feed 400 million people around the world, noted Bishop-Spencer. The goal of the first 100 days of this movement is to build public awareness and then, in subsequent years, to create a sustained movement that cements the food system as a core value. She added that they hope to showcase the importance of the food system to Canada. 'We (the Canadian agri-food sector) deliver huge amounts of money to Canada's GDP and are an economic powerhouse.[It's] also essential to national security and prosperity, employing one in nine people in Canada and contributing more than $122 billion to the Canadian economy.' This new campaign encompasses every cog that makes the food system turn, including consumers, because all Canadians play a part since 'we all eat,' said Bishop-Spencer. Canadians can get involved by singing the pledge on the Canadian Food System website and posting to social media, appreciating parts of the system. 'We're all a very important partner in Canada's Food System – we need to work together to celebrate and to protect it.' For more information, see .
Vancouver Sun
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
'The boss has changed': Rookie Calgary Liberal MP says he's ready to fight for Alberta's place in Canada
OTTAWA — Rookie Liberal MP Corey Hogan says he's ready to speak up for the 'No' side, in the event of a referendum on Albertan independence next year. Hogan, who narrowly won the riding of Calgary Confederation in April's federal election, told the National Post that he won't sit on the sidelines in the coming debate over Alberta's future in Canada. 'Try to stop me from being a spokesperson for this country,' said Hogan. 'One of the main reasons I ran is I wanted to be both a strong Alberta voice and a strong pro-Canadian voice.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Hogan didn't shy away from the coming national unity crisis as a candidate, adopting the cheeky slogan 'Confederation is worth fighting for' — a phrase designed to send a clear message to those fanning the flames of Alberta separatism. Hogan believes that the pro-Canada message helped him edge out Conservative opponent, ex-provincial cabinet minister Jeremy Nixon. 'One of the reasons I was elected… is because of this moment we're in,' said Hogan. 'The main thing I heard on the doors was Donald Trump, Canada's existence, all of that… residents said over and over that they wanted someone who would fight for this country, and that's what I'm going to give them.' He also said that Nixon's association with Premier Danielle Smith, whose cabinet he sat in from 2022 to 2023, may have cost him votes. 'Alberta separatism is an issue that divides Conservatives in a way that doesn't divide Liberals,' said Hogan. Hogan said it will be vital in the coming months to confront separatist arguments head on, after Smith dramatically lowered the bar for triggering a referendum on the province's independence. He wrote in a recent blog post that there is little reason to believe that Alberta would have a better go of building pipelines to tidewater as a sovereign state that can enter into international treaties, as Smith herself has claimed in the past . '(Treaties) guarantee rights of access but they do not guarantee the right to build infrastructure across another country's territory,' wrote Hogan. Yuan Yi Zhu, a Canadian-born professor of international law at the University of Leiden, says he agrees with Hogan, pointing to the plain language of the United Nations' law of the sea. 'The relevant section says that landlocked and transit countries may, by agreement, define pipelines as a means of transport to the sea… it doesn't say that they have to,' said Zhu. 'This is one of those rare issues in international law that's actually pretty straightforward.' Hogan fully accepts that the Liberals have a long way to go to build up credibility in Alberta, after failing to grow their seat count in the province. He adds that one silver lining is that Ottawa-Alberta relations have nowhere to go but up from their dismal state under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. 'Anybody who's ever worked at a job where the boss has changed, can see that sometimes what happened was largely driven by the former boss,' said Hogan. Hogan said that he's interested to see how Alberta and the other western provinces are represented in Prime Minister Mark Carney's first post-election cabinet, set to be announced Tuesday. National Post rmohamed@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Calgary Herald
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'The boss has changed': Rookie Calgary Liberal MP says he's ready to fight for Alberta's place in Canada
OTTAWA — Rookie Liberal MP Corey Hogan says he's ready to speak up for the 'No' side, in the event of a referendum on Albertan independence next year. Article content Article content Hogan, who narrowly won the riding of Calgary Confederation in April's federal election, told the National Post that he won't sit on the sidelines in the coming debate over Alberta's future in Canada. Article content Article content 'One of the main reasons I ran is I wanted to be both a strong Alberta voice and a strong pro-Canadian voice.' Article content Article content Hogan believes that the pro-Canada message helped him edge out Conservative opponent, ex-provincial cabinet minister Jeremy Nixon. Article content 'One of the reasons I was elected… is because of this moment we're in,' said Hogan. Article content 'The main thing I heard on the doors was Donald Trump, Canada's existence, all of that… residents said over and over that they wanted someone who would fight for this country, and that's what I'm going to give them.' Article content He also said that Nixon's association with Premier Danielle Smith, whose cabinet he sat in from 2022 to 2023, may have cost him votes. Article content 'Alberta separatism is an issue that divides Conservatives in a way that doesn't divide Liberals,' said Hogan. Article content Article content Hogan said it will be vital in the coming months to confront separatist arguments head on, after Smith dramatically lowered the bar for triggering a referendum on the province's independence. Article content He wrote in a recent blog post that there is little reason to believe that Alberta would have a better go of building pipelines to tidewater as a sovereign state that can enter into international treaties, as Smith herself has claimed in the past. Article content '(Treaties) guarantee rights of access but they do not guarantee the right to build infrastructure across another country's territory,' wrote Hogan. Article content Yuan Yi Zhu, a Canadian-born professor of international law at the University of Leiden, says he agrees with Hogan, pointing to the plain language of the United Nations' law of the sea. Article content 'The relevant section says that landlocked and transit countries may, by agreement, define pipelines as a means of transport to the sea… it doesn't say that they have to,' said Zhu.
Global News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Kelowna city staff reject idea of buying Canadian only, recommend no changes to procurement
Despite a 'buy Canadian only movement' amid a trade war with the U.S., staff at Kelowna City Hall are recommending council not amend its procurement bylaw to make it happen. Possible amendments were first brought up by city councillor Ron Cannan in March. But after a review of its procurement policy, a staff report recommends council stay with the status quo given the majority of its contracts are already being awarded to Canadian companies, many of them Okanagan-based including about 45 per cent in Kelowna. According to the report, which will be presented to council on Monday, 97.529 per cent of the city's purchases are Canadian and only 2.359 per cent are from the Unites States. The report also outlines that if procurement changes were made, it could limit access to specialized services and goods that can't be provided by Canadian firms. Story continues below advertisement In addition, the report states that excluding U.S. companies could drive up costs with fewer competing bids 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 The Taxpayers Federation agrees with staff recommending the city stick with its current policy. 'Politicians need to be laser focused right now on providing the best possible value for taxpayer money and when most of what Kelowna buys is already Canadian, roughly 98 per cent, it doesn't make sense blowing the city's budget to try to find Canadian options,' said Carson Binda, B.C. director with the federation. 2:26 Kelowna councillor calls for pro-Canadian update to city procurement policy Cannan would not comment on the staff recommendation Friday, saying mayor Tom Dyas is the spokesperson. However, in a statement to Global News, Kevin Franceschini, communications consultant for the mayor's office, stated, 'The Mayor does not comment on items before they are formally presented to Council. It is important that Council has the opportunity to review all relevant facts, receive legal and procedural clarity, and debate the matter at the Council table before any public comments are made.' Story continues below advertisement 'I think I would prefer if we paid a little bit more and shopped Canadian,' said Kelowna resident Heather Muir. 'I wish we could buy all Canadian, but I don't think we can actually,' said Michael Karabelas, another Kelowna resident. The staff report will go before council on Monday.
CBC
03-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
P.E.I. business owners leaning into Canada-U.S. tensions with elbows up — and a bit of humour
For weeks now, there has been a big push to shop local on P.E.I. Some are taking it a step further by putting pro-Canadian messaging on their products. From lobsters with their 'elbows up' to dropping Americano coffee in favour of Canadiano, some Islanders are cashing in. CBC's Tony Davis has more.
