Canadian Crossing

Canola farmers in Canada latest pawn in China battle over Meng Wanzhou arrest

As you watch all of those Huawei sponsorship mentions on Hockey Night in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet, consider that China still has 2 Canadians held captive in conditions much worse than how Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou is living in Vancouver. Another Canadian may be put to death.

Canadian canola farmers have been feeling the sting of China's retaliation, at least all of this is "unofficial" retaliation.

Canada sends a lot of canola to China, about $2.7 billion worth in 2018. Suddenly, Chinese customs inspectors said they found "dangerous pests" in Canada canola shipments. Shipments from 3 Canadian companies have been blocked.

• There is no reason to think "dangerous pests" even exist as China hasn't shown any proof.
• Some might struggle with the idea of "China" and "food safety" in the same sentence.

While everything is unofficial, the correlation is clear. China is still upset about the arrest of Meng Wanzhou on Canadian soil at the request of the United States.

Canada paying a price to go along with U.S. desire to arrest Meng Wanzhou

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The original retaliation: 2-for-1 and in horrible conditions vs. living better than most people in Vancouver. A death penalty sentence and canola oil sales to China are icing on an over-frosted cupcake.

Canada could ban Huawei from its 5G networks. Australia is doing that. Australian coal shipments are "suddenly" running into extra scrutiny at Chinese ports, including impurity complaints.

The United States — the country that wanted Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou to be arrested and extradited — hasn't had any retaliation, mostly due to its size and impact of what the country could do in retaliation.

This op-ed provides enough details that, if they are close to being accurate about the conditions where Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig have been suffering for over 4 months, requires swift action.

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This scenario will not magically disappear short of Meng Wanzhou being on Chinese soil and a full apology from Canada, neither of which is happening. Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are going to be trapped in deplorable conditions for some time.

Robert Lloyd Schellenberg is in a whole different nightmare. Schellenberg was found guilty of drug smuggling and sentenced to 15 years in November. After the Meng Wanzhou arrest, Schellenberg was retried and sentenced to death over the same charges in a one-day trial in Dalian.

There may be a delay in the very slow process, thanks to Meng Wanzhou filing a civil lawsuit, claiming she was unlawfully detained and questioned for 3 hours without being advised of her constitutional rights. She is entitled to file the lawsuit but you can't help but wonder that Canadians Spavor and Kovrig don't have those rights in China for much harsher treatment.

The Canadian canola farmers are innocent financial pawns. They might find other homes for the canola seeds but they had contracts with China.

China is upset against the Western world but Canada is paying the price. The allegations of the connection between Huawei and the Chinese government have strong credibility. In an open world, the threat of Canada banning Huawei from its 5G networks would be a financial incentive for China to release their "hostages." Canada and other countries don't want to use Huawei in their 5G networks but are seeing the financial impact in a world where denying them may not be possible.

photos credit: me

2019 Canada Now Canadian film festival still too focused on U.S. coasts

The 2019 version of Canada Now films sneaked past us and already launched in New York City and Los Angeles.

The New York City version at the IFC Center featuring some films we know, some films where we had no clue, and in the words of The New York Times: "Canadian productions in disguise."

Those words specifically applied to Hugh Hefner's After Dark: Speaking Out in America but also appears to apply to The Accountant of Auschwitz.

There are Canadian documentaries on the list that are known to our readers, which includes Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, winner of the top doc award at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards, and Edge of the Knife.

The Fireflies Are Gone is the only other film besides Anthropocene: The Human Epoch on the list we've seen. Mouthpiece from Patricia Rozema is on my list and their list.

Clara and À tous ceux qui ne me lisent pas | For Those Who Don't Read Me, based on the poet Yves Boisvert from Yan Giroux, are completely new to me.

Other areas are getting fewer films or different films. As an example, the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA got Through Black Spruce and Firecrackers. You can see all the films and all the dates in various places.

We love the idea of Canadian films touring the United States, but a real tour with advance publicity that isn't trapped by the yo-yo that is New York City and Los Angeles and somehow New Orleans most years.

This isn't just about Chicago but more about the idea that people in the middle of the United States could get into the idea of a Canadian film festival if one ever came to their city. Some of the dates are throwing in a film or two in another festival. Canada Now is its own festival in New York City and Los Angeles.

Canada Now is adding Germany and Mexico to the UK for international destinations, which is welcome news. Semana de Cine Canadiense (Canadian Film Week) just finished up in Mexico.

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Telefilm Canada, which organises Canada Now, should spread the word to places that would warmly embrace Canadian film in the United States.

You can find out more about the 2019 Canada Now Canadian film lineup.

video and photo credit: Canada Now

What marijuana tourism in Ontario will look like on Opening Day

"Ontario won't open private stores until at least April 1, 2019" — me, November 13, 2018

Canadian provinces have run into a few problems with having enough product in its stores since marijuana was legalised in Canada on October 17, 2018. Those provinces didn't have trouble getting the stores up and running.

Ontario had the "ambitious" goal of 25 stores in the largest province in Canada, 5 of those locations in Toronto, the largest city in the province and country. Even then, not all of those 25 stores will open on time thanks to the intensely rigorous process established by the Doug Ford Government.

The Liberals under Kathleen Wynne wanted a similar system to LCBO and the Beer Store where the Ford Government preferred private locations.

The bad timing is also bad financial news for the store owners. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) requires a $6,000 non-refundable fee and a $50,000 letter of credit. The organisation has the power to draw down $12,500 for each week the stores are not open.

If you are looking for a sweet spot for legal marijuana in Toronto, look no further than Queen Street West. The Hunny Pot at 202 Queen Street West (open Monday) and Nova Cannabis on 499 Queen Street West would be a good place to start.

Another good collective spot will be Tokyo Smoke (333 Yonge Street) and Canna Cabana at 435(B) Yonge Street. Canna Cabana has a few locations in Alberta as well as proposed locations in Hamilton and Sudbury. The Tokyo Smoke location is the old HMV record and video store.

The final Toronto location is Ameri at 20 Cumberland Street west, just north of the Yonge-Bloor intersection. Ameri will be ready to go on April 1.

If you haven’t been to Toronto, getting to those locations is pretty easy. Yonge Street marks the east-west point.

You can take the Queen streetcar west from either the Queen Street stop (at Yonge/0 Queen West) or Osgoode stop (130 Queen West). 499 Queen Street West is just west of Spadina near Chinatown.

333 Yonge Street is just north of Dundas Square near the Dundas stop on the Yonge Street line. 20 Cumberland Street West is a very short walk north and slightly west from the Bloor-Yonge stop.

Being in Canada where cannabis is legal but nowhere to be found

Opening Day for legal recreational marijuana in Canada

Here is the breakdown of the 25 locations in the province:

• 5 locations: Toronto (2 ready to open April 1)
• 3 locations: Ottawa (ready to open April 1); London (1 ready to open April 1)
• 2 locations: Kingston (ready to open April 1); Hamilton; Sudbury
• 1 location: St. Catharines (ready to open April 1); Brampton (ready to open April 1); Burlington (ready to open April 1); Oshawa; Ajax; Niagara Falls

You can check the status of the locations. At press time, 11 of the 25 locations will be ready to go on April 1.

Ottawa, the national capital, will be able to help those federal legislators and bureaucrats. There is a location in the Byward Market and a location south of downtown on Bank Street, about 2 km north of TD Place, home of the CFL Ottawa RedBlacks.

London is the furthest west in the province with a store, so people in Windsor will have about a 2-hour drive. The locations hug Lake Ontario with the exception of Ottawa, Sudbury, and London.

The Public Notice period has ended for all prospective provincial locations with the exception of the Yonge Street locations in Toronto: Tokyo Smoke (April 2) and Canna Cabana Toronto (April 9).

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There are shops that are technically illegal that are still in operation, mostly in Toronto.

Those in Ontario can order marijuana off the official province Web site. The online option lends itself to credit cards, a risk for Canadians wanting to cross the border. Having an online option limits marijuana tourism.

If you are traveling by car to participate in marijuana tourism, know that the provinces have set up nuanced rules on how marijuana can be transported by car. The Toronto locations don't require a car.

There still aren't any edibles, so you also have to find a place to consume the product.

photo credit: me

Toronto Blue Jays draw Milwaukee Brewers as 2019 opponents in Montreal

The Toronto Blue Jays are back at Olympic Stadium in Montréal. This year, the Milwaukee Brewers are the team that will serve as the opponent. Milwaukee was the first opponent at SkyDome in 1989 back when the Brewers were division mates in the American League East with Toronto.

The stars from Montréal won't be a part of the action this year. Last year's on-field hero Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will miss the series with a Grade 1 left oblique strain. Russell Martin was traded in the off-season to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The games next week once again fall on Monday and Tuesday reducing the potential attendance. Then again, drawing 25,000+ on a weeknight for exhibition games is still impressive.

The games mark the 50th anniversary of the origin of the Montréal Expos that started play in the National League in 1969.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. helps Toronto Blue Jays to split in 2018 Montreal series

2018 Toronto Blue Jays in Montreal preview

2019 Toronto Blue Jays spring training schedule

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Sam Gaviglio will start Monday night for the Blue Jays. Thomas Pannone gets the call to start Tuesday night.

Toronto has a 5-4-1 at Olympic Stadium in Montréal.

Rogers Sportsnet will carry both games live (except on SNW). The Tuesday telecast also airs on Rogers Sportsnet One. MLB Network carries the Monday game from Montréal tape-delayed Tuesday morning at 6 am Eastern. The U.S. channel will carry the Tuesday game live at 7 pm Eastern.

Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium in Montréal

Date	Opponent	Score	Attendance
March 27, 2018	St. Louis	Toronto 1-0	25,816
March 26, 2018	St. Louis	St. Louis 5-3	25,335
April 1, 2017	Pittsburgh	Toronto 6-4	52,202
March 31, 2017	Pittsburgh	Tie 1-1	43,180
April 2, 2016	Boston	Boston 7-4	53,420
April 1, 2016	Boston	Boston 4-2 (10)	52,682
April 4, 2015	Cincinnati	Toronto 9-1	50,231
April 3, 2015	Cincinnati	Cincinnati 2-0	46,314
March 29, 2014	NY Mets	Toronto 2-0	50,229
March 28, 2014	NY Mets	Toronto 5-4	46,121

photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays/MLB

Brexit should remind UK, U.S., and Canada advantages to free movement

Canada doesn't have $1 trillion to buy Montana, as suggested in a recent online petition. We've seen calls to have Alberta transferred to the United States, though that is about oil, oil, and oil.

That would be an unfair trade for Canada. The U.S. would get 2 more NHL teams, a lot of oil, and amazing scenery. Canada would get, well, Montana.

If Canada were to expand into the United States, Canada should pick off the West Coast triumvirate of Washington, Oregon, and California. All 3 states are Canada friendly in policy: all 3 states have legal recreational marijuana. The states are also environmentally friendly. Canada could have domestic fruit from California.

The usual drawback to Canada is that the country is too cold. Not in Los Angeles. And Hollywood would produce Canadian films that Canadians would want to see.

We see this infighting between Canada and the United States because, unlike the people in Europe, people can't just move back and forth between the countries.

Europe has a Schengen area where goods and people can move across borders. If you live in France and want to move to Germany, you can. No red tape, no begging to be a refugee.

United Kingdom Brexit decision has little impact on Quebec

How the United Kingdom Brexit decision affects Canada

Detroit-Windsor crossing shouldn't be inspiration for post-Brexit borders

As the United Kingdom is finding out with Brexit, goods and people moving freely has distinct advantages. We've already seen companies moving headquarters and employees out of England to places such as Dublin, Ireland and Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The March 29 Brexit deadline for the United Kingdom looms large without a deal. The Ireland-Northern Ireland border needs to be softer than 5-ply bathroom tissue. Goods and services back and forth between the UK and EU.

The best option would be a second vote, which would go against the concept that such a vote shouldn't be a plurality, especially with the lies and deception from the leave side in the first vote.

The current CETA trade agreement with Canada and the European Union wouldn't apply to trade with the United Kingdom once Brexit happens. A future trade deal might seem too little, too late.

British people who live in Europe. Europeans who live in the UK. These people may not want to move but might be required to change.

Seeing Canada's Governor General in person (Schengen question)

There are plenty of Americans who would love to live in Canada in a heartbeat, such as the person typing these words. There are plenty of Canadians who think life is better in the United States.

Let's give them a shot. Even if you limit movements between citizens and that movement factors in 3-4 million combined, what would be the advantages?

• Happier people who want to be where they are. People might complain after they relocate but likely not. And even if they did complain, they could move back.
• More productivity. People who are where they want to be get more done.
• Fewer stories about selling states or provinces to the other country.

If nothing else, these North American countries could show the United Kingdom where cohesion is a smashing idea. Like the UK, each country can keep its own currency. The pesky concern would be health care where Canadians who left would want to keep the health care and the Americans who run north would want that health care system.

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Schengen is about free movement between countries, but Americans and Canadians entering the Schengen zone starting January 21, 2021 will require an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) "visa."

The U.S. and Canada require something similar for EU citizens.

We would love a system that fewer visas and hurdles to roam the globe.

video and photo credit: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

The Northwest Angle is one of several Canada-U.S. border disputes

We talk about the 49th parallel bordering the U.S. and Canada since that is the border from Manitoba west to British Columbia. Everything above the 49th parallel belongs to Canada except for the Northwest Angle.

The Northwest Angle consists of a small land mass jettisoning north separating Manitoba and Ontario via the state of Minnesota. Reportedly, about 120 people live in this extension.

There is a petition in the United States to give that land back to Canada. The petition is called "Give Canada back the Northwest Angle located in Manitoba." The petition is launched under We the People under the White House Web site. If a petition reaches 100,000 signatures, they are reviewed by administration officials for an official response.

During warmer weather, residents of the Angle can access the rest of Minnesota by boat through the Lake of the Woods. During colder weather, the only way for those people to reach the United States is to drive through Manitoba.

If the Northwest Angle were to revert to Canada, that would be a great way to try and claim to be in Canada. Being forced to move just to stay in your country would seem rather unfair.

The other oddity of note is Point Roberts, Washington, a skin flint of an area that hangs below the 49th parallel just south of Tsawwassen in the Vancouver suburbs.

Point Roberts is reportedly used by the United States government as a place for witness relocation since the area is surrounded by 3 sides by water and the fourth side by the Canadian border.

Like the Northwest Angle, you can get to the rest of Washington state via Canada.

U.S. border patrol annoys Canadians by land and by sea

The recent documentary Lobster War focuses on the Gray Zone, 277 square miles of sea off the coast of Maine and New Brunswick.

You might recall this was the area where U.S. border patrol was harassing Canadian seafood harvesters in disputed waters back in July.

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The world is filled with places distinguished by unique geography on the border of countries. Pheasant Island (Ile des Faisans in French; Isla de los Faisanes in Spanish) is shared by France and Spain every 6 months. Gibraltar, owned by the United Kingdom, and Spain had an unique relationship.

The Northwest Angle and Point Roberts wouldn't be as isolated if the United States and Canada had a Schengen relationship like we currently see in the European Union. The likelihood of flipping either place is as slim as getting a borderless system between Canada and the United States but we continue to dream.

maps credit: Google

Where to visit Canada in 2019

2018 didn't move much from the list of Canadian destinations that I still want to see. Don't cry for me, Canada. I'll get there when I can.

2019 offers up a federal election so if seeing Justin Trudeau campaigning or the other party leaders campaigning is a tourist attraction, the election is October 21 with about 35 days of campaigning leading up to that. Stephen Harper stretched out the 2015 campaign to ridiculous lengths but don't count on Trudeau doing the same.

Being in Canada where cannabis is legal but nowhere to be found

Opening Day for legal recreational marijuana in Canada

Marijuana tourists to Ontario will have to wait awhile

Our guide to legal marijuana in Canada

2019 also marks the year you can make solid plans for marijuana tourism, should that interest you. We love Ontario but until Doug Ford and Ford Nation figure out what they are doing, go somewhere else. The stores are supposed to open in April but don't plan accordingly. If you live near Ontario and can go on a whim, wait until summer or longer.

There are other locations that may be more desirable. Check our coverage and do a few Internet searches to make sure you are on the ideal path. This might be a good year to go to Alberta, given its beauty and relatively relaxed rules.

Anthony Bourdain takes CNN's Parts Unknown to the mysterious land of Newfoundland

The script was flipped where Anthony Bourdain explored a place where I had been. His take on Newfoundland was wondrous and worth watching. You can argue that flying to London is cheaper than going to Newfoundland, but a Newfoundland trip will be very special. And a friendly place for marijuana tourism as well. Just be careful of the moose in the road.

Greyhound Canada to abandon Western Canadian provinces

Western Canada is worth exploring. You can find plenty of cars to rent but don't give up on the idea of bus service. Companies have jumped in where Greyhound no longer goes. The service might be better and cheaper.

Toronto stories from a resilient city

Toronto sports cornucopia is a small portion of what makes Toronto a worthy destination

Too often we suggest Toronto as a good starting point to explore Canada for the first time. Toronto really is a wonderful, first-class city to explore. Getting out of downtown is a great start. The people of Toronto are part of the travel adventure. If the people in the largest city are that friendly, imagine what the rest of Canada has to offer.

A trip to Winnipeg and Churchill if The Price Is Right

After seeing Winnipeg on TV, you should go see for yourself

You can take advantage of flying to a specific site and then exploring from there by car. Winnipeg offers many attractions but you can use a flight to Winnipeg to go elsewhere in Manitoba or swing over to Thunder Bay, Ontario or check out Saskatchewan. You can even take Via Rail from Winnipeg to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan's largest city.

So where to go in Canada in 2019?

United Shades of America focuses on Canada

The New York Times introduces Americans to butter tarts and more Canadian food

Where to visit Canada in 2018

Where to visit Canada in 2017

All Canada national parks are free in 2017

Where to visit Canada in 2016

Where to visit Canada in 2015

Where to visit Canada in 2014

Share your Canadian tourism wishes for 2019 in the comments section below. Time to make travel plans.

map credit: Ezilon.com

A trip to Winnipeg and Churchill if The Price Is Right

Lee Norton of Rollingsford, New Hampshire came on down on The Price Is Right, was fortunate to make it to the Showcase Showdown, turned down a trip to Morocco, and won a winter trip to Winnipeg and Churchill in Manitoba.

The trip involved a 6-night stay at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg with a 1-night stay in Churchill. The trip is geared toward winter to take advantage of seeing the polar bears in Churchill. Even though the train is up and running from Winnipeg to Churchill, the prize involved a round-trip flight from Winnipeg to Churchill.

A 1-night stay seems really short but as long as you get to see the polar bears, all might be good. My impression of Churchill is based off the scenery in the reissue of Picture of Light (1994) that I saw at the 2017 Windsor International Film Festival. There isn't a lot to do in Churchill but a 1-night stay doesn't offer an error margin in case the weather turns.

I've been to Winnipeg in the summer and could fill 6 days and nights with ease. Winter might offer a few challenges: a Winnipeg Jets game would help. The Fort Garry Hotel is within walking distance to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and The Forks and not far from Saint Boniface across the Red River.

After seeing Winnipeg on TV, you should go see for yourself

Winnipeg the true winner of the 2016 Heritage Classic

The Heritage Classic shines NHL spotlight on Winnipeg

Saskatoon berries a great reason to visit the Prairies

CFL in the Prairies is where the league shines

Finding my own personal Winnipeg

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

Unfortunately for Norton and Manitoba tourism, Norton turned down the trip because he said he couldn't afford to pay the taxes on the prize. In his case, the price was not right. Norton could have spoken to the Americans who came up to Winnipeg for the 2015 Women's World Cup soccer tournament.

A dream trip for 2 to Winnipeg!!!
😬

pic.twitter.com/lLVzoQ2u8J

— Joanne Wilder (@joannewilder) December 12, 2018

The cold Canada winters change the perspective of what to do in Canada. The awareness of the exposure on the CBS television game show helps to portray an image of a Canadian winter odyssey, even to Manitoba.

The Price Is Right airs on CBS in the United States and Citytv in Canada.

photo credit: Fremantle Media via Global News
map credit: Google
Twitter capture: @joannewilder

Trump threat to withdraw from NAFTA should lead back to original Canada-U.S. free trade agreement

"And so Congress will have a choice of the USMCA or pre-NAFTA, which worked very well." — Donald Trump

Despite the lavish signing ceremony for the post-NAFTA agreement, the new trade agreement may run into a snag despite the Democratic leadership will be in charge of the U.S. House in January. The Dems might still pass the agreement somehow but only because they are in the habit of capitulation in the name of compromise.

Countries can withdraw from NAFTA, which would kick in 6 months after the announcement. Trump has said he will withdraw from NAFTA but U.S. law isn't crystal clear as to whether Congress needs to approve that move.

Canada is trying to remove the stigma of the ugly USMCA by renaming the deal CUSMA putting Canada first. The NAFTA name is starting to look better.

Even though the CUSMA will hurt Canada on many levels, the Liberals will pass the new deal in Parliament. The Conservatives are more into free trade than the Liberals so we'll see if they have any real objections. The senators might take their time, but maybe not as slow as their path with the marijuana legalisation bill.

The NAFTA withdrawal is designed to force the Dems to pass the new trade agreement. Canada does have an ace up the sleeve, something that the U.S. have virtually forgotten even exists: The Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement would be the standard bearer if NAFTA didn't exist.

The Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement was negotiated in 1987 and signed by the country leaders in 1988. The CUSFTA standard was the impetus for NAFTA negotiated by Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney as well as U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who passed away on Friday.

How the 2018 U.S. midterm elections might affect Canada

NAFTA 2.0, er, USMCA is a nightmarish trade deal for Canada

Despite childish threats by Donald Trump, Canada should hold out for a good NAFTA deal

If the goal was to truly reinvent NAFTA, then let's start with the work of CUSFTA. Start from as close to the bottom as you can and truly rebuild a new NAFTA. Going back to CUSFTA would also take out the threat of GM moving jobs to Mexico.

GM's plans last week to close the Oshawa, ON plant as well as 4 U.S. plants is a reminder of the threat of auto jobs to Mexico. While that might seem unfair to Mexico, so was going behind Canada's back on USMCA/CUSMA. Canada would negotiate a separate trade deal if NAFTA didn't exist.

The move could be seen as playing to Trump's bizarre theory that 2-way trade agreements are significantly better than 3-way trade agreements as well as getting Mexico out of the deal, but Canada needs to be in a good deal and CUSMA is not a good deal.

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There is also the issue that tariffs on steel and aluminum still exist as well as tariffs on softwood lumber and the Bombardier planes. The threat also exists for tariffs on cars between Canada and the United States. There is no plan to get those tariffs to go away. The tariffs are part of the reason why GM is pulling out of 5 plants in Canada and the U.S. We haven't heard a peep from the WTO on the U.S. tariffs against Canada.

If CUSMA becomes official, there will be no incentive to renegotiate the deal in the future. The only leverage is to not have CUSMA become a reality. CUSFTA is not an ideal situation but there is huge incentive to build on that ancient agreement to give Canada a chance to have a trade agreement that benefits Canada.

photo credit: Martin Mejia/AP Photo

The art of the double double

We are sorry if you came to this article looking for NBA basketball or if you were chasing an In-N-Out burger with 2 beef patties with 2 slices of cheese.

This double double is about something truly Canadian. For those not familiar, a double double is a coffee with 2 creams and 2 sugars at Tim Hortons. The fun part is that they put in the cream and sugar so you get the drink without the extra work.

During the 2018 Windsor International Film Festival, I decided to be a part of that Canadian experience. To give some perspective, I am not a coffee drinker. If you are looking for someone to tell how great anyone's coffee is, you are on the wrong blog post.

I ordered the Simply Sausage biscuit, 2 chocolate Timbits, and a small double double. I did order the drink to get the hockey trading cards too.

Canadian ads from fall 2018 NHL Center Ice free preview

My double double was quite hot. I opened the little flap but couldn't get it to close properly. I brought the drink into my first film of 6 films that day, so the caffeine would be helpful.

I did let the coffee cool off a bit. When I went back to the coffee, the drink was warm but not hot.

The double double was pretty satisfying though a bit on the sweet side. I could drink the coffee, which isn't always true for a black coffee. In the future, I might want to play with getting a double single (2 creams, 1 sugar) or a double (2 creams). The Double Double did accomplish what few cups of coffee can do: mask the taste of coffee so I could drink it.

Tim Hortons poutine donut serving up bad Canadian stereotypes to Americans

There are non-coffee ways to feel Canadian. They don't always involve donuts or poutine or donair but often they do. Eating ketchup chips or all-dressed chips or having fries with gravy are gateways to feeling Canadian. Lamb burgers seem Canadian. A double double might be the quickest and cheapest way to feel Canadian.

photo credit: me