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Michael J Armstrong

@profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
575 followers 123 following 163 posts

Operations research professor, Brock University. I teach quality improvement & game theory. I research business aspects of legal cannabis. Previously studied missile warfare. brocku.ca/goodman/faculty-research/…

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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Tim R @elibtronic.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Every year around OA Week I've started putting together what I'm calling the State of Scholarly Publishing report: This year's is now posted. elibtronic.github.io/2026_state_o... #openaccess #libraries #CdnPSE #CDNunis
elibtronic.github.io
2026 State of Scholarly Publishing
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Christopher Waters @waters-wine.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Niagara winemakers joined forces to create a sparkling that uses icewine as the catalyst for creating the fizz. Fracette aims to produce a fruity and frothy wine, with some of the flavours of the world-famous dessert wine but without the sweetness. www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/f...
theglobeandmail.com
Introducing Fracette, a new sparkling wine from Niagara made using icewine
Fracette combines two of Niagara’s strong suits, bubbly and icewine
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"The NSLC says that as of about a month ago, it had only about $1.5 million of American alcohol left in its inventory, or 10 per cent of the stock compared to when it first pulled U.S. products from the shelves. ... and it has no plans to buy more." 🍷🍸 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
The NSLC has gone through about 90% of its American alcohol stockpile | CBC News
When Nova Scotia's Crown-run alcohol retailer and distributor pulled American booze from the shelves last year, it worked out to about $15 million worth of more than 600,000 units of product. While sa...
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
My coworker @profsavage.bsky.social wrote an analysis for @ca.theconversation.com of Canada's proposed labor law changes. @brocku.ca @bufa.bsky.social theconversation.com/canadas-prop...
theconversation.com
Canada’s proposed labour reforms could shift power away from workers in major disputes
Bill C-39 makes it easier for Ottawa to intervene when collective bargaining produces the very conflict that it is designed to manage.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
On Oct 5 at 19:00, @brocku.ca will host a panel discussion about Ontario's upcoming municipal elections. brocku.ca/brock-news/2...
brocku.ca
Public event aims to inform Niagara voters ahead of fall election
As Niagara residents prepare to head to the polls for municipal elections on Monday, Oct. 26, Brock University experts are hosting an event to demystify recent changes to regional governments and illu...
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Today at 10:50 I'll join Chanine Carr on radio CFKR Kelowna to discuss Canada's booming cannabis export industry. 💲🌿
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"For the first time in almost a decade, there are believed to be no unlicensed pot shops operating in London following a series of recent police raids on unsanctioned dispensaries." 🚓 lfpress.com/news/crime-c...
lfpress.com
Are London’s black market pot shops finally on the ropes?
The once-thriving marijuana black market in London has all but disappeared since police began placing interim seizure orders on properties.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"Mr. Trump has promoted tariffs as a way to bolster U.S. manufacturing. Instead, it has driven customers like Mr. Akeroyd to buy Chinese-made goods." 💲🍺 #EconSky www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
How U.S. tariffs are driving Canadian brewers toward Chinese aluminum cans
The shift offers a potential lifeline to small brewers struggling with rising packaging costs
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
U.S. diesel fuel prices rose 65% between 23 Feb and 14 Sep 2026. ⛽🚚
This time series plot illustrates the weekly average number 2 diesel price in the United States from 2020 to 2026. It also highlights when Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb 2022, and when the USA and Israel attacked Iran in Feb 2026.
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
ChrisO_wiki @chriso-wiki.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
1/ Donald Trump's order to stop the use of Canadian goods in US federal procurement threatens to have a massive impact on the US defence-industrial base, which is heavily dependent on Canadian inputs – especially raw materials such as aluminium.
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
The Conversation Canada @ca.theconversation.com · 16/09/2026
Thanks, Trump: Why Canada may become the European Union’s first ever ‘associate member’
theconversation.com
Thanks, Trump: Why Canada may become the European Union’s first ever ‘associate member’
Canada has spent the last century defending European democracies. Now it’s asking them to return the favour.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Olli Brands is recalling some StikiStix cannabis edible products due to labelling errors. 🌿 recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-rec...
recalls-rappels.canada.ca
Olli Brands Inc. recalls Olli StikiStix Multipack Sour Razzy Pink Lemonade (300 CBG 100 THC) due to labelling issues - Canada.ca
The affected product has multiple labelling issues including missing information. On the outer packaging, the quantity of CBD (
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
"The couple came up with a plan to create a natural, science‑backed product that helps people with wine sensitivities enjoy the wines they love without altering its colour, taste or aroma" 🍷🍇 brocku.ca/brock-news/2...
brocku.ca
Brock entrepreneurship supports give wine startup a taste of success
Jo Lachance is fond of saying, she loves wine, but it doesn’t love her. With a single glass leaving her flushed, congested and uncomfortable, she stopped drinking wine for eight years until she met he...
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
"I ask all Canadian academics to join me and many others to refrain from going to the U.S. for professional reasons until this trade war is over." universityaffairs.ca/opinion/its-...
universityaffairs.ca
It’s time to boycott U.S. conferences - University Affairs
As trade hostilities continue, we shouldn’t use taxpayers’ dollars to travel stateside.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
"The planet we live on is becoming hotter, more polluted, biologically degraded and its surface and underground increasingly reshaped by human activities. Once the stuff of sci-fi, these symptoms are now real" @brocku.ca theconversation.com/the-anthropo...
theconversation.com
The Anthropocene was rejected as a geological epoch – but the idea is still changing how we see the world
New research argues no other concept reflects our planet-wide transformation in its proper context of deep time.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
"Trump’s actions, Haggart says, have shown Canada, and other countries around the world, that U.S. leadership can’t currently be trusted. We can’t sign any agreement with them, because it won’t be worth the paper it’s written on” #LakeOntario brocku.ca/brock-news/2...
brocku.ca
Renaming of Lake Ontario signals widening fracture in U.S.-Canada relations
U.S. President Donald Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario is the latest manoeuvre in his ongoing campaign to undermine Canada’s sovereignty, say experts from Brock University’s Department of Political Sc...
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Christy Somos @christysomos.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Are you curious about what our Royal Canadian Navy fleet contains? I’ve got you! Check out the second chapter in my Reality Check series - on YouTube and my Substack ⚓️
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
In 2025-26, Canadians spent 6.4% ($8.2B) more on travel than the year before. But the share spent on travel to the US fell from 20% to 16%. So, the US lost-out on about $5B, 7 times more than its lost alcohol exports to Canada. 💲✈️🏖️ #EconSky
This line chart summarizes Canadian residents' spending on travel for any purpose during the last 2 fiscal years. The percentage spent on travel to the USA was lower every quarter during 2025-2026 than the corresponding quarter of 2024-2025.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
"Canada will match the incoming U.S. Section 338 tariffs – dollar for dollar. These new countermeasures on $27.6 billion in products imported from the U.S. will be effective as of 12:01 a.m., September 8, 2026" 💲 #EconSky www.canada.ca/en/departmen...
canada.ca
Complete list of U.S. products subject to counter tariffs - Canada.ca
Tariff countermeasures are intended to incentivize the United States to remove its unjustified tariffs against Canada. These countermeasures will remain in place until the U.S. eliminates its tariffs...
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Hannah Harris Green @whatsitlike.me · 24/08/2026
On Overdose Awareness Day, I’ll be launching a new publication on drug science and harm reduction. What’s It Like? will deliver the nuance, detailed data analysis and human texture that I usually have to leave on the cutting room floor as a journalist. Here’s a preview. Sign up: whatsitlike.me
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
My @brocku.ca coworker Ernest Biktimirov wrote an article for @ca.theconversation.com about retirement planning for young adults. 💲 theconversation.com/the-best-tim...
theconversation.com
The best time to think about your pension is before you need one
Retirement may feel distant in your 20s and 30s, but small, deliberate steps now can make a difference later.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Study: Polymarket has about 150 accounts that win bets on military events so consistently that they are likely insiders. The effect is to leak military secrets into the market to make personal profits. 💲🪖🎲 #EconSky acdatacollective.org/work/classif...
acdatacollective.org
Classifying Insider Trading Risk: Analyzing the Longshot Betting Ecosystem on Polymarket – ACDC
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
"Don't buy it. Let it sit on the shelf … and buy the Canadian stuff instead ... Let's send a message that … we don't like Donald Trump's approach to trade or his way of treating Canada" 💲🍷🍸 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
If U.S. booze returns to shelves, 'leave it there,' Manitoba premier says | CBC News
Manitoba's premier says he's reluctantly open to restocking American liquor as part of a potential trade deal, but with a suggestion — "Don't buy it."
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Carney demande aux provinces de cesser de boycotter l'alcool américain. Comme je ai écrit pour @laconversationca.bsky.social, ON et QC devraient écouler leurs stocks existants. Mais ils ne devraient pas en acheter davantage avant la signature de l'accord. theconversation.com/alcools-amer...
theconversation.com
Alcools américains invendus : faut-il profiter des nouveaux droits de douane de Trump pour les écouler ?
L’Ontario et le Québec devraient désormais écouler leurs stocks provenant des États-Unis en signe de bonne volonté, tout en continuant à interdire les importations.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Carney is asking provinces to stop boycotting US alcohol. But his deal with Trump is not final, & Trump often changes his demands. So, as I wrote in @ca.theconversation.com , ON & QC should sell their US inventory but not order more until a deal is signed. theconversation.com/trumps-new-t...
theconversation.com
Trump’s new tariffs give Ontario and Québec the perfect excuse to sell their unsold American booze
Provincial alcohol bans have drawn presidential notice. Ontario and Québec should now sell their U.S. inventories as a goodwill gesture while continuing to ban imports.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Cet après-midi, je participerai à l'émission La Croisée de Radio-Canada pour discuter de la proposition de Curaleaf, aux États-Unis, d'acquérir le producteur de cannabis Aurora, en Alberta. 💲🌿
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Bill C-34 "trusts that tech companies in the United States will act in the public interest, despite having spent decades demonstrating that they are completely unworthy of such trust" By @ntusikov.bsky.social & @bhaggart.bsky.social policyoptions.irpp.org/2026/07/bill...
policyoptions.irpp.org
Canada can’t regulate Big Tech by trusting Big Tech
Bill C-34 puts too much faith in Big Tech. Canada should regulate the algorithms, data practices and business models that drive online harm.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
In a July survey, 69% of Canadians said they are unlikely to buy U.S. alcohol products if they become available again. Only 10% said they are likely to buy them. 💲🍷🍸 #EconSky nanos.co/wp-content/u...
nanos.co
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Dr. Emma Vossen @emmavphd.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Did you know we (@brock-ddh.bsky.social at Brock University in Ontario 🇨🇦) offer a 2-year MA in Game Studies? I teach one of our grad seminars, Methodological Paradigms in Game Studies! Feel free to DM me anytime if you have Q's about applying for Fall 2027/28! #gamestudies brocku.ca/humanities/d...
brocku.ca
Master of Arts in Game Studies
The MA in Game Studies is an interdisciplinary and interfaculty program designed to provide students with a well-rounded, high-quality venue for studying and designing games in all their forms. Throug...
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"Children and adults cope with extreme heat differently" By @brocku.ca profs Bareket Falk & Toby Mündel. theconversation.com/children-and...
theconversation.com
Children and adults cope with extreme heat differently, but are kids really at greater risk?
Although children sweat less than adults, they are able to regulate body heat in other ways.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
By Allison Glazebrook of @brocku.ca for @ca.theconversation.com "women characters are reimagined for an anti-war tale — a timely theme to be sure ... But in doing so, Nolan continues a long tradition of appropriating women’s stories through a man’s perspective" theconversation.com/christopher-...
theconversation.com
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ disappoints in its portrayal of Homer’s women
The women of Homer’s Odyssey were cunning, desiring and powerful. Nolan’s adaptation turns them into figures of suffering, sacrifice and regret.
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Christy Somos @christysomos.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
My open source audit of the Royal Canadian Air Force with @steffanwatkins.bsky.social is LIVE on YouTube and Substack! Check it out: substack.com/@thestateoft...
substack.com
RCAF REALITY CHECK
In all the chatter about which fighter jet Prime Minister Mark Carney will choose, what the RCAF currently has to work with isn't known - until now.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Impaired driving rates in Canada fell 2.6% last year. This continues a long-term trend that was interrupted in late 2018 when Canada toughened its impairment laws & legalized cannabis. 🚨👮 #EpiSky
This line chart shows the total number of police-reported impaired driving incidents in Canada per million people age 16+. It compares them with the average trend from 2009 to 2018.
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
The Conversation Canada @ca.theconversation.com · 27/07/2026
Donations from generous readers play a substantial role in enabling us to bring fact-based, non-partisan news to the public on everything from #trumptariffs to the latest #wildfire news. Today is the final day of our summer donation campaign. Can you help get us to 100%?
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
US exports of wines to Canada in May 2026 were 83% below their 2023-2024 average. 🍷💲 #EconSky
This line chart shows the value of monthly exports of wines from the USA to Canada, measured in millions of dollars USD, from Jan 2023 to May 2026.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
"the Brock University Norris W. Walker Research Farm has reached a new milestone with planting of grapevines at the Merritville Highway site to establish the first three acres of Brock’s research vineyard" 🍇 brocku.ca/brock-news/i...
brocku.ca
Sustainable agriculture research takes root
Work at the Brock University Norris W. Walker Research Farm has reached a new milestone with planting of grapevines at the Merritville Highway site to establish the first three acres of Brock’s resear...
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
"University of Toronto math professor Jacob Tsimerman has won a 2026 Fields Medal, the top global honour in mathematics. He's the first mathematician based at a Canadian institution to win the award" ➕✖️➗➖ www.cbc.ca/news/science...
cbc.ca
University of Toronto mathematician wins prestigious Fields Medal | CBC News
University of Toronto math professor Jacob Tsimerman has won the Fields Medal, the top global honour in mathematics.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
"Les deux provinces devraient profiter de cette annonce de Donald Trump pour écouler leur stock sans pour autant lever l’interdiction d’importation." 💲🍷🍸 @laconversationca.bsky.social theconversation.com/alcools-amer...
theconversation.com
Alcools américains invendus : faut-il profiter des nouveaux droits de douane de Trump pour les écouler ?
L’Ontario et le Québec devraient désormais écouler leurs stocks provenant des États-Unis en signe de bonne volonté, tout en continuant à interdire les importations.
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
I'm submitting my tenure application in the fall and am attempting to assemble evidence of scholarly impact. If you've assigned work of mine could you send me a syllabus to my Brocku email? Thanks for your help.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Some Sweet Vengeance cannabis edibles are being recalled. Their labels show incorrect THC values. They also do not mention their milk & hazelnut contents. recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-rec...
recalls-rappels.canada.ca
10392804 Canada Inc. d.b.a Sweet Vengeance recalls certain edible cannabis products due to undeclared milk and hazelnut, and labelling issues - Canada.ca
The affected chocolate products are being recalled because they contain milk and hazelnut which are not declared on the label. If you are allergic or sensitive to milk and hazelnut, consumption of the...
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Imports into Canada from the USA of alcoholic beverages grew rapidly during 2003-2015, stabilized during 2016-2024, but plunged 68% in 2025. They are now below 2004 levels. 💲🍷🍸
This line chart shows annual imports by Canada from the United States of alcoholic beverages, measured in millions of Canadian dollars, from 2003 to 2025. Imports steadily increased during the Bush & Obama presidencies, were flat during Trump's first term, and plunged in Trump's second term.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Alternative titles: "Canada’s provincial booze bans trigger Trump tariff tantrum" "U.S. producers face $1.2 billion in lost sales - so far" 💲🍷🍸 @ca.theconversation.com theconversation.com/trumps-new-t...
theconversation.com
Trump’s new tariffs give Ontario and Québec the perfect excuse to sell their unsold American booze
Provincial alcohol bans have drawn presidential notice. Ontario and Québec should now sell their U.S. inventories as a goodwill gesture while continuing to ban imports.
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Precisely this. Everyone asking if this is a gambit to put pressure on Canada in the context of the USMCA talks is missing the forest for the trees. No matter what Canada concedes, it will never be enough to buy trade peace, because the US isn’t interested in peace. That’s the lesson here.
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Reposted by Michael J Armstrong
Research Society on Marijuana @researchmj.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Start planning for your 2027 addiction conferences and save the date for #RSMj2027. Our 11th annual conference will be in Montreal, Quebec from July 16th to 18th, 2027. See you there!
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
"the U.S. is taking issue with provincial bans on U.S. alcohol, supply management on dairy and certain tariffs and quotas on cars imported to Canada from the U.S." 💲🍷🍸 www.ctvnews.ca/world/trumps...
ctvnews.ca
Trump to impose 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods in retaliation to booze ban, dairy
Donald Trump is imposing a new 50 per cent tariff on some Canadian goods for what his administration is characterizing as discriminatory trade policies after signing a new executive order on Monday.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
"Statistics Canada numbers show that in 2024-25, $5.5-billion of legal cannabis was sold, with the federal and provincial governments raking in $2.5-billion from cannabis sales" 💲🌿 www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
theglobeandmail.com
Globe editorial: Ottawa’s high taxes are stunting the growth of legal cannabis
The federal government should scrap its $1 minimum excise tax in favour of a flat percentage
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
On Friday morning I'll speak with Michelle Boden on radio station CFKR Kelowna about the BC cannabis market.
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
On 16 July at 07:20 I'll join Steph Vivier on radio CTKB St Catharines to discuss Ontario's ongoing bans on US alcohol importing and retailing. 💲🍸
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
On 15 July at 07:35 I will speak with radio station CFPL London about Ontario's $80 million stockpile of US alcohol. 💲🍸
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Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
This afternoon at 15:19 I'll speak with CFRA Ottawa about Ontario's continued bans on US alcohol imports (justified) & US alcohol sales (not). 💲🍸
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