Crys 🇨🇦 @cryswelch - Twitter Profile

To my X followers, I’ve worked with the media for nearly 25 years. For most of that time, the relationship was professional and balanced. But in recent years, something has shifted. I am increasingly concerned about the state of our democracy — particularly how media, in general, are informing Canadians about food policy, food inflation, and economic policy. I now find myself learning more about Canada’s economy and policy changes from American outlets than from Canadian ones. Much of our national coverage feels reactive, shallow, or overly fixated on partisan narratives rather than substantive policy analysis. What troubles me most is the lack of scrutiny applied evenly across governments and institutions. For example, when the Bank of Canada suggested that Ottawa’s counter-tariffs contributed to food inflation, only one major outlet — Bloomberg — gave it meaningful coverage. The grocery benefit program received very little examination regarding how it would be financed. It took days before anyone pressed for clarity. During the latest spike in food inflation, several outlets turned to the same small circle of commentators who dismissed any potential role of federal policy — carbon pricing, GST holidays, counter-tariffs — despite mounting evidence that policy decisions can and do affect food prices. Instead of investigating structural drivers of inflation, much of the coverage focuses on fact-checking opposition rhetoric, even though the opposition has not governed since 2015. Scrutiny should be applied equally — not selectively. Quebec media, while imperfect, appear to have maintained a broader range of debate. In much of the rest of Canada, I see increasing concentration of voices — often from the same region, Ontario, often reflecting similar policy perspectives — and less diversity of thought grounded in empirical research. This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about accountability, transparency, and healthy democratic discourse. Media are under financial pressure — that’s real. But public trust depends on independence and depth. Subsidy structures, incentives, and newsroom economics all matter. Canada deserves stronger policy journalism — especially on food affordability, supply chains, and economic resilience. We need more data-driven analysis, more intellectual diversity, and more courage to ask uncomfortable questions — regardless of which party is in power. Until that happens, Canadians would be wise to diversify their news sources and think critically about what they’re being told — and what they’re not.

FoodProfessor's tweet photo. To my X followers,

I’ve worked with the media for nearly 25 years. For most of that time, the relationship was professional and balanced. But in recent years, something has shifted.

I am increasingly concerned about the state of our democracy — particularly how media, in general, are informing Canadians about food policy, food inflation, and economic policy.

I now find myself learning more about Canada’s economy and policy changes from American outlets than from Canadian ones. Much of our national coverage feels reactive, shallow, or overly fixated on partisan narratives rather than substantive policy analysis.

What troubles me most is the lack of scrutiny applied evenly across governments and institutions.

For example, when the Bank of Canada suggested that Ottawa’s counter-tariffs contributed to food inflation, only one major outlet — Bloomberg — gave it meaningful coverage. The grocery benefit program received very little examination regarding how it would be financed. It took days before anyone pressed for clarity.

During the latest spike in food inflation, several outlets turned to the same small circle of commentators who dismissed any potential role of federal policy — carbon pricing, GST holidays, counter-tariffs — despite mounting evidence that policy decisions can and do affect food prices.

Instead of investigating structural drivers of inflation, much of the coverage focuses on fact-checking opposition rhetoric, even though the opposition has not governed since 2015. Scrutiny should be applied equally — not selectively.

Quebec media, while imperfect, appear to have maintained a broader range of debate. In much of the rest of Canada, I see increasing concentration of voices — often from the same region, Ontario, often reflecting similar policy perspectives — and less diversity of thought grounded in empirical research.

This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about accountability, transparency, and healthy democratic discourse.

Media are under financial pressure — that’s real. But public trust depends on independence and depth. Subsidy structures, incentives, and newsroom economics all matter.

Canada deserves stronger policy journalism — especially on food affordability, supply chains, and economic resilience.

We need more data-driven analysis, more intellectual diversity, and more courage to ask uncomfortable questions — regardless of which party is in power.

Until that happens, Canadians would be wise to diversify their news sources and think critically about what they’re being told — and what they’re not.

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cryswelch retweeted

The Food Professor

@FoodProfessor

6 months ago

Since February 1 marks the end the so-called grocer blackout period, Metro’s CEO, Éric Laflèche, warned Canadians this week that food prices—particularly dry and pantry goods—would rise by more than 3% in many cases. On this point, he is right. Consumers should fully expect similar price increases from other major grocers, since the blackout period applies across most of the industry. More on this below.

FoodProfessor's tweet photo. Since February 1 marks the end the so-called grocer blackout period, Metro’s CEO, Éric Laflèche, warned Canadians this week that food prices—particularly dry and pantry goods—would rise by more than 3% in many cases. On this point, he is right.

Consumers should fully expect similar price increases from other major grocers, since the blackout period applies across most of the industry.

More on this below.

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Who to follow

Cristee 🍁🇨🇦 🇺🇸

@CristeeYQF

Alberta girl with big city roots, small town dreams & family on both sides of the border.

Bartguy72

@pretellablonski

motorhead ,lives with a grizzly 😁

Crys 🇨🇦 @cryswelch

10 months ago

RIP 💔

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Crys 🇨🇦 @cryswelch

about 4 years ago

@ErikSan70919974 @ZubyMusic Yes! One of the highlights of my trip to CDMX!

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Crys 🇨🇦 @cryswelch

over 5 years ago

@kahnkidz @ugdsb Need to find some local learning pods. Our kids deserve better

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Crys 🇨🇦 @cryswelch

over 5 years ago

@aynur75 I love this! My daughter is also red pilled and questions everything. Her science teacher however told her that all the "anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers" are the ones that will continue the lockdowns 🤦‍♀️

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