761 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

[Victoria Watcher]

CBC launches court fight to keep Gem subscriber numbers confidential

 

https://cheknews.ca/...ential-1284455/

[Victoria Watcher]

Colleen Jones, champion curler and CBC reporter, dies at 65

 

Over a four-decade career, Jones covered stories of countless Canadians

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...tuary-9.6991829

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 November 2025 - 11:13 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

[Victoria Watcher]

Bourbon maker Jim Beam halts Kentucky production amid ongoing trade tensions

 

85% drop in spirits exported from U.S. to Canada between April and June

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...ction-9.7025111

 

The maker of one of the U.S.'s most iconic bourbon whiskies is halting production at its flagship distillery in Kentucky for all of 2026 amid the ongoing challenges and strain faced by the U.S. liquor industry — part of the fallout from Trump's trade war.

 

 

 

 

OK, you might say, very interesting.  Let's hear more:

 

 

 

In a statement provided to CBC News Monday, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. confirmed that "we plan to pause distillation at our main distillery on the James B. Beam campus for 2026 while we take the opportunity to invest in site enhancements."

 

"We are always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand and recently met with our team to discuss our volumes for 2026," the statement says.

 

 

 

 

Nothing from the company, about Canada.  Let's read more.

 

 

 

 

The company said it will continue to distill at its smaller FBN craft distillery, which makes experimental brands, and at its Booker Noe distillery in Boston, Ky. The company will also still bottle and warehouse stock at its flagship location in Clermont, Ky.

 

The main Clermont distillery produces about a third of the company’s annual output, according to the New York Times. Local Kentucky media report that the Clermont campus also produces Knob Creek, Baker’s, Booker’s and Basil Hayden’s.

 

 

 

Oh, OK, well they do have other plants, not affected.

 

 

 

The company didn't provide a reason for the one-year pause of distilling activities at the one facility. But the move coincides with an all-time high of bourbon currently aging in barrels.

 

 

 

OK.  Still nothing about Canada.

 

 

 

 

Overall exports of American spirits fell nine per cent in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. The most dramatic decrease came in U.S. spirits exports to Canada, which fell 85 per cent in the second quarter, dropping below $10 million US.

 

 

 

No too serious.  So, for us to make a reasoned opion, we need to know the entire sales for the company perhaps, compared to the lost export amount.  We are not given that.  However, we are given this:

 

 

 

The Kentucky Distillers' Association estimates the industry brings more than 23,000 jobs and $2.2 billion US to the state. In addition to trade woes, the industry is dealing with decreased consumer spending and slumping demand for a product that needs years of aging before it is ready.

 

 

 

 

Above it says spirits exports to Canada dropped 85%, to below $10M (for the quarter).  But just Kentucky liquor (whiskey?  It is not clear) is a $2.2B industry.  So, again, Kentucky alone, or Kentucky whiskey alone is $2.2B.  And our entire import is now $10M (1Q), down from what would have been $66M.

 

So, we obviously do not get all our spirits from Kentuncky.  We are left with no available math.

 

Headline suggests the tariffs are to blame.  Article never says that.   And we can't do any math to determine anything on our own.

 

Oh, and the effect is so minimal, there are no layoffs.

 

 

 

 

In a statement provided to CBC News, a union spokesperson said employees in the distillery department are being reassigned within the company and there are no layoffs at this point.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 December 2025 - 01:43 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Let's go to AI:

 

[Victoria Watcher]

This year, CBC News will add 33 local journalists and create 11 new bureaus, increasing its Canadian footprint from 66 to 77 locations. This "boots-on-the-ground" investment is in addition to last year's local service expansion of 30 journalists hired in 22 communities across Canada. Many of the new positions are based in Central and Western Canada.

Taken together, it's a historic investment in local journalism by the CBC. And it comes at a critical moment, with local news in steep decline across Canada as traditional media business models falter and tech platforms (including AI companies) dominate our information ecosystem.


https://www.cbc.ca/n...nsion-9.7044796

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 January 2026 - 09:41 AM.

[LJ]

 

This year, CBC News will add 33 local journalists 

 

 

More like 33 more propagandists.

[LJ]

If you needed proof that the media is solidly biased towards the Liberals here is a clip from the Canadian Media Summit in Ottawa January 29th. 

 

https://x.com/ryange...awUtJYN-rSwhr-Q

[Victoria Watcher]

If you needed proof that the media is solidly biased towards the Liberals here is a clip from the Canadian Media Summit in Ottawa January 29th. 

 

https://x.com/ryange...awUtJYN-rSwhr-Q

 

 

Reynolds Mastin, the President and CEO of the Canadian Media Producers Association, told Prime Minister Mark Carney that the industry has his back, in comments given at the association's recent summit.

"Prime Minister, know that every person in this room, and the 180,000 people who work in the industry, have your back, just as we know that you have ours," said Mastin in a 15-second clip posted on X.

No additional context was given regarding the clip, which was initially posted on CPAC, but has since been taken down.

 

https://www.westerns...or-carney/70882

[Mike K.]

CPAC took it down? Why would they do that?

[magmazing]

"The Canadian Media Producers Association is Canada’s trade association for independent producers. We represent hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production and distribution of English-language content for TV, feature film and digital media channels."

 

The organization represents the entertainment industry workers, not news media.

[Mike K.]

Maybe it’s a little more intertwined with news media than meets the eye?

Robot says: Advocacy and Labour Relations: The CMPA engages in advocacy related to the CBC's licensing and funding, and participates in labour agreements with industry unions like the Directors Guild of Canada and the Canadian Media Guild, which represents employees at CBC.

[Benezet]

….
The organization represents the entertainment industry workers, not news media.

It’s actually a bargaining agent for producers, not workers (who are represented by their respective Unions (e.g. ACTRA, DGC, WGC).

[Mike K.]

What’s your take on their statement that they have a politician’s back, Benezet? Is that the first we’ve seen them make a political statement like that?

[Benezet]

What’s your take on their statement that they have a politician’s back, Benezet? Is that the first we’ve seen them make a political statement like that?

If the CMPA were actually part of the NEWS media, I’d be very concerned. But I’m not overly bothered by a film producers’ advocacy group sucking up to a government during their own industry conference.

[Mike K.]

Right. So maybe a mountain out of a mole hill here?

I bet there would be a full on scandal of this were said under Harper. CPAC deleting the clip is a little shady, I’m sure we can all agree. If that is indeed what happened.

[Benezet]

Right. So maybe a mountain out of a mole hill here?
…

Yeah I’d say it’s a nothing burger, originating with certain parties conflating “media” with “news media”, either by mistake or with intent.

Incidentally, the one Media Guild of Canada agreement that the CMPA had involvement with was with the APTN. No connection with the MGC/CBC relationship.

[Victoria Watcher]

[Victoria Watcher]

Quash Penis Enlargement Sideshow opens for very limited shows with Tinto Rocks in 2029.