Michael J Armstrong

This line plot displays Statistics Canada's estimates of the number of Canadian travelers returning from the USA by airplane each month. For each month, the count was lower in 2025 than in 2024.

Canadian travel to the USA by air is down 11%.
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This line plot displays Statistics Canada estimates of the number of Canadian travelers returning from the USA by land (e.g., by car) each month. For each month from February onward, the count was lower in 2025 than in 2024.

Statistics Canada data indicate Canadian travel to the USA by land is 30% lower so far in 2025 compared to 2024.
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‘If there is no demand, we can’t operate’: Small landlords ponder future after foreign student cuts The case for investing in student housing isn’t as obvious as it once was as the federal cap on international students enters its second year

"it could be difficult for property owners to hold on to their properties when they are losing money. He predicts the situation will lead many owners to default on the mortgages and face foreclosure"

www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...

"exports of American spirits fell 9% year-over-year in the second quarter, driven by ongoing trade tensions"

US spirits exports fell 85% to Canada, 29% to Britain, 23% to Japan, & 12% to Europe. 🍸

#EconSky
www.distilledspirits.org/news/america...

A toast to wine’s ability to inspire social and family celebrations Wine Growers Canada gets behind Come Over October campaign to promote togetherness – and wine, of course

Canadian winemakers have joined forces with Come Over October, a community-driven movement that asks consumers to meet and share a glass of wine with someone this month. The campaign is expanding across Canada with the support of Wine Growers Canada.

www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/f...

FYI @profsavage.bsky.social

‘Why would we buy U.S. wines?’ Ontario vintners reap benefits of trade dispute The grape harvest is well underway and sales of local wines are booming, thanks in part to the province’s ongoing boycott of U.S. wines and spirits.

My @brocku.ca colleague Antonia Mantonakis discussed booming sales of Ontario wines with CTV.

www.ctvnews.ca/business/art...

All government-run liquor, cannabis stores in B.C. closed as strike escalates All government-run liquor and cannabis stores in B.C. are now behind picket lines, according to the union representing striking public service workers.

"Government cannabis stores are on strike" is a headline that could only appear in Canada.

7 years after legalization, cannabis has become so ordinary that headlines like this are mere footnotes in the daily news.

www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...

How the U.S. trade war uncorked a surprising boom for wineries across Canada | CBC Radio Thanks in large part to the patriotic "Buy Canadian" movement, which has changed consumer habits and reshaped parts of the retail landscape, winemakers across the country say they're enjoying a rare a...

"Ontario Craft Wineries, which represents more than 100 producers, said wine sales across all retail channels — from grocery and convenience stores to restaurants — have jumped by 78 per cent."

www.cbc.ca/radio/costof...

Crime doesn’t pay, but jury duty should A Canadian federal report recommends paying jurors at least $120 daily. Provinces should take action.

The new 2025 Ontario jury pay rate is 9 years overdue. Here's what I wrote about it back in 2018.
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@ca.theconversation.com
theconversation.com/crime-doesnt...

‘Long overdue’: Ontario juror pay increasing to $120 per day from Day 1 of service Ontario jurors will be compensated $120 per day from the first day they serve starting Wednesday, a significant increase that some advocates applaud but add that more support for jurors is needed.

I'm glad Ontario will finally start paying jurors from day 1, but disappointed the $120/day rate remains below the $146 legal minimum any other employer must pay.

Governments shouldn't ignore their own labor laws.
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www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/arti...

For this Niagara winemaker, the local terroir can stand on its own Gabriel Demarco of Cave Springs isn’t interested in making copycat wines

“We develop our entire portfolio of wine around what the site gives us. If that wine reminds you of someplace else, we’re not doing our job,” says Cave Spring winemaker Gabriel Demarco.

www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/f...

"Canadians’ Visa card spending in Oregon this July was half that of July 2024."

Not enemies, but people: Why the world needs to rethink the language of war Using the term ‘war’ when fighting alleged drug traffickers or terrorists serves to justify killing them without proof they’ve committed any crimes.

"A brief look at the origins of the U.S. war on drugs shows how the term “war” can be used to normalize acts of oppression or violence."

theconversation.com/not-enemies-...

Discover Niagara | Niagara Grape & Wine Festival Discover all that Niagara has to offer with the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival. Celebrate all things VQA with our signature wine and culinary events!

The Niagara Grape & Wine festival takes place this weekend in & around St. Catharines, ON. 🍷 🍇

niagarawinefestival.com

How Niagara's Pearl Morissette became just the 2nd restaurant in Canada to earn 2 Michelin stars | CBC News Restaurant Pearl Morissette in the Lincoln, Ont., neighbourhood of Jordan Station is now one of just two Canadian restaurants with two Michelin stars, a rare culinary honour.

The Pearl Morissette winery has received a 2-star rating from Michelin for its restaurant. 🧑‍🍳🍷

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

B.C. public workers' strike expands to liquor, cannabis distribution warehouses | CBC News The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) says workers at the Liquor Distribution Branch's headquarters in Burnaby — as well as warehouses in Delta, Richmond and Kamloops — are now on strike.

British Columbia's government-owned alcohol & cannabis distribution centers are on strike. 🍷 🍃

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Data source: Statistics Canada counts of returning Canadian travelers.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-60...

This line plot displays the monthly number of Canadian residents returning from countries other than the USA via airplane. The lower blue line with markers shows monthly counts for 2024. The higher solid red line shows monthly counts for 2025 up to June; the dashed red line shows leading indicators of counts for July & August.

By contrast, 8% more Canadians are flying overseas in 2025. It seems that about 70% of those who would normally fly to the USA flew overseas instead.

This line plot displays the monthly number of Canadian residents returning from the USA via airplane. The higher blue line with markers shows monthly counts for 2024. The lower solid red line shows monthly counts for 2025 up to June; the dashed red line shows leading indicators of counts for July & August.

12% fewer Canadians are visiting the USA by air ✈️ in 2024 vs 2025.

This line plot displays the monthly number of Canadian residents returning from the USA via car or motorcycle. The higher blue line with markers shows monthly counts for 2024. The lower solid red line shows monthly counts for 2025 up to June; the dashed red line shows leading indicators of counts for July & August.

29% fewer Canadians are visiting the USA by land 🚗 in 2025, compared to 2024.
#EconSky

Canadians are taking a big step back from the U.S. — and here's the data to prove it | CBC News In the weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump sparked a trade war with his punishing tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada’s "old relationship" with the U.S. would be "over" soon — and now ...

U.S. travel by Canadians in Aug 2025 was 34% lower by car & 25% lower by plane, relative to Aug 2024.

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

FYI @profsavage.bsky.social

"Exorcise" 👹 without the "or"?

Not that it's any easier. 🙂

Moosehead Breweries will no longer sell beer in bottles New Brunswick-based Moosehead Breweries has announced it will stop selling its beer in bottles at the end of the year.

🍺 Moosehead Breweries is phasing out bottles & will soon sell beer only in cans. It's running a contest to give away the last bottle from it's production line.

Perhaps beer historian @danmalleck.bsky.social will win that piece of brewing history?

www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/new...

FYI
#EconSky

Ottawa vineyard excited for harvest, despite summer drought | CBC News In a summer filled with record-breaking heat, this Ottawa vineyard says its mature vines are well-placed to weather the drought.

"the rain deficit in southern Ontario was 70-90 per cent less than normal. But due to their deep roots, the vines at Perrault may be unaffected by the drought"
🍷
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

OPSEU calls for greater accountability on Ontario’s work-force training fund Union says fund is diverting public money away from postsecondary institutions in favour of ‘unvetted’ programs

"there is little public accountability as to how the fund money is used ... the province’s Auditor-General confirmed to The Globe and Mail that it is investigating ... The Ford government has already invested $1.5-billion in the program"

www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...

Vice-President, External Vice-President, External Brock University, Niagara Region, Ontario

My @brocku.ca is seeking a new VP External who can coordinate with government, community, alumni, and global partners. Please apply by 3 Oct.

www.kbrs.ca/Career/17546...

Student housing crunch eases  - University Affairs Students returning to campuses across Canada this fall are finding it easier to secure housing, thanks to an increase in supply and a decline in the number of immigrants and international students.

... but slightly more options for housing.
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universityaffairs.ca/news/student...