Ketchup

[OldTimer]

(04-02-2016 06:10 PM)zippyFX Wrote:  In the end I am torn on this subject in general. I have a background in economics so I understand how things tend to work. Some loose thoughts.

Competitive pressure tends to drive sourcing decisions. Many time sourcing locally is counter competitive but the producer at a disadvantage. The CEO of the company is legally required to maximize the profits of a company doing otherwise may get them fired and or sued. Many have no choice but to seek out the lowest price source. Even California oranges do not have to come from California (they just need to meet or exceed the California standard).

I think favoring nationally source products is a canard because in the end money talks and expensive condiments walk. My father who worked in industrial manufacturing said times had changed when 8 of 10 cars on my street were Japanese and ended up buying a Honda when he retired (his first non north american car).

I have some relative in distribution and it is laughably silly to get over Canadian (and American) sourcing requirements. All you need is a local middle man that jacks up the price 10% and the product effectively has enough Canadian content to be labeled Canadian sourced. We consumers end up paying 10% more for the Canadian maple leaf that hangs off the product. In a global economy I think patriotism in terms of favoring commercial goods in a novelty and a distraction.

Even kraft has merged with heinz not sure on the business structure but they are likley effectively incorporated in Delaware (corporate tax dodge state).

Former Prime Minster Martin was raked over the coals because the shipping fleet for his company had mostly Panamanian registry. Truth is Canada does not want to be a commercial ship registrar and hence prices it's registry prohibitively. 80% of the worlds fleets are registered with registries of convience (even the Onassis family of Greece registers is fleets in south america) to not do so puts companies and jobs at risk.

For better or worse we live in a lowest common denominator economy. These local initiatives unfortunately don't usually amount to a hill of beans (or squirt of ketchup) in the medium to long term.

Don't get me wrong, I do not necessarily disagree with the practice it's just that I have not seen any credible evidence that it can or will change.

I believe people should spend their money in away that maximizes there interests.

I don't believe in screwing workers... I believe that there is a reason for unions to exist....

The global economy is a bizarre beast.

Yes - opinions vary.

I do understand quite well how things work, and how "manufactured" things may be declared Canadian.

However my post concerned the geographical source of the primary food item inside the jars or packaging.

Buy Canadian.......... then perhaps one might be part of the solution.

I didn't even get into mentioning the nationality of the burgers, hot dogs, and potatoes............. grin.

Cheers,

OldTimer