After the Trump Boycotts, We'll Still Have Lousy Canadian Food

We Canadians are a peculiar lot, often finding ourselves stuck between being overly optimistic about our nation's culinary offerings and quietly admitting that our food scene has a long way to go. One of the most significant issues plaguing our grocery stores and restaurants is the abundance of mediocre products at inflated prices. This phenomenon extends far beyond the realm of food and into our liquor cabinets, where Canadian whiskey and wine dominate the shelves, often at the expense of higher-quality international alternatives.

At the center of this controversy lies the relationship between Canadian liquor boards and the U.S. As government expenditures go, the $8 million Ontario reportedly spent on storing $80 million worth of American hooch instead of selling it isn't likely to make many waves. However, the real impact lies in the long-term strategies employed by these boards to favor domestic products, creating a significant barrier to international trade and ultimately, to our consumers' ability to access better quality food and beverages.

One of the most egregious examples of this can be seen in the LCBO's (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) reported sales figures for the 2023 fiscal year. In this timeframe, American wine accounted for a mere 20% of total sales by value, with nearly three times as much being sold from Ontario. This stark contrast highlights the disproportionate favoritism shown to domestic spirits at the expense of their international counterparts.

Furthermore, it's not entirely clear what good it does to anger states like Oregon, which hasn't had a Republican governor in nearly 40 years and hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan. The American Whiskey Association's proposed inquiry into Canadian hooch bans and whether they violate U.S. trade law and 'warrant retaliatory action' is still just that - a proposed inquiry.

The impact is felt across the nation, as Canadian consumers continue to face a scarcity of high-quality food and beverages, largely due to the restrictive policies put in place by our own government. It's a matter of national pride, not just taste. Our nation's inability to provide a varied and diverse market for local and international producers alike severely limits our opportunities for growth and cultural exchange.

Whenever I wander around an American grocery store, I'm struck by the sheer selection of products on offer - the numerous types of eggs, the diverse array of cheeses, and the abundance of heritage-breed poultry. It's a stark contrast to the barren shelves of our own stores, where consumers often settle for 'good-enough' when it comes to the ingredients we put into our bodies. It's a national tragedy, and one that affects us all.

It's time for a change. Rather than retreating into an insular, protectionist mindset, we must work towards more integration with post-Trump America, not less. We need to take advantage of the opportunities that open trade presents and use them to diversify our market, to give consumers more choice and to drive innovation across the industry.