As Canada scrambles to prepare for a trade war with the U.S. – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to speak with President Donald Trump today. Ottawa is imposing 25% tariffs on $30 billion in American goods – hitting hundreds of items from meat and milk to carpets and curtains. The U-S says steep 25% tariffs on Canadian products entering the U.S. are to begin Tuesday.
———-
Starting Tuesday, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries will pull American booze off store shelves, and will stop ordering alcohol from the U-S. Premier Wab Kinew says this local response alone to American tariffs will pull $80 million annually from the U.S. economy.
———-
The impending ‘tariff war’ has many of us getting behind the ‘buy Canadian’ movement including some big businesses. Loblaw says it’s committed to securing more food grown and made in Canada – and Shopify promises to bring in features aimed at encouraging people to buy local.
———-
It’s too early to say how U.S. tariffs might affect the Manitoba tourism industry, but some feel a lower Canadian dollar is favourable for American travellers to come visit. The Lodges and Outfitters Association says a Canadian dollar sitting around 70-cents U.S. will be enticing, especially for anglers. Others feel retaliatory tariffs might send a negative message to American tourists keeping them away.
———-
Under a new federal employment program, Brandon has been allocated up to 180 skilled workers. The Rural Community Immigration Pilot program supports designated employers hiring skilled workers – roles the city struggles to fill locally. City council is now reportedly reviewing nearly 300 housing units to support the anticipated growth.
———-
Tim Hortons is bringing its famed ‘Roll up to Win’ contest back to its roots. This year’s promotion will come with the return of hot beverage cups that can be rolled up, along with the digital game it’s been using for the last five years. The contest starts on February 24th.
———-
The country’s rodent and crustacean meteorologists have delivered their predictions. Sunday was Groundhog Day, and Manitoba Merv did not see his shadow when he popped out at Oak Hammock Marsh – signaling an early spring. As for the rest of Canada – Ontario’s Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow, but Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia, and Lucy the Lobster predicted six more weeks of winter. Spring officially kicks off on March 20th.
———-
DreamWorks animated ‘Dog Man’ fetched $36 million at the weekend box office. Only one animated film before ‘Dog Man’ had a better January launch – 2016’s ‘Kung Fu Panda 3’. The rest of the Top 5 included the horror/comedy ‘Companion’, ‘Mufasa’, ‘One of Them Days’ and ‘Flight Risk’.
