They say our habits are formed while we are young, for example favourite products and brands we buy and use. I like to think I’m open to trying something new but have to admit I normally default to a brand I’ve used and trusted over the years. I read in Maclean’s a story called “A Patriot’s Guide to shopping during a Canada-U.S. Trade War”. In light of the widening trade war between Canada and the United States and the broadsides Donald Trump keeps taking against our country, they compiled a list of products we can support at the expense of their American counterparts. I don’t know how many of us will actually do this or what effect, if any, it will have other than making us feel good that we’ve hit back in a small way. For example there is ketchup. Four years ago Heinz decided to move its operations from Ontario to Ohio which made Canadian patriots switch to French’s ketchup because they promised to use Leamington, Ontario tomatoes. If you still use Heinz you’re going to now pay more thanks to the new tariffs. American made whiskey will also have a tariff as of Sunday. However, we make the best-rated rye whiskey in the world close by in Gimli, Manitoba so bourbon lovers may want to try it out. If you like orange juice but want to boycott Florida, we manufacture a well-known brand in Ontario so you can still get your oj kick. Chocolate, liquorice and other American made treats are on the tariff list but no sweat, we have multiple home grown options to satisfy our sweet tooth. There are more products such as toilet paper but have no fear of sitting there with an empty roll and no spares, you can still stock up on major brands that are made in Canada. The key is to pay attention to the labels when shopping. Go Canada go!
That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.