What's your go-to ketchup: Heinz or another brand? Bet you didn't know that what kind of ketchup you choose to dip your fries into directly impacts your fellow countrymen.
French's - better known for its mustard - has been flying off Canadian shelves thanks to this viral Facebook post by Brian Fernandez:
Since Heinz decided to pull the plug on its Canadian plant in Leamington, 740 jobs were lost. Heinz decided to make its...
Posted by Brian Fernandez on Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The Orillia man pointed out that after Heinz left Leamington, Ont., French's took over production of the " all-Canadian" ketchup.
There are good reasons to choose French's that go beyond patriotism.
Not only are the tomatoes harvested on Canuck soil by Canuck farmers, but the brand's ketchup is "free of preservatives, artificial flavours and high fructose corn syrup."
That's good news for most parents whose tots tend to drown their food - every. single. food - in the red stuff.
"Bye. Bye. Heinz," wrote Fernandez in the post, which has been shared over 130,000 times.
If you want to go French, better act fast. The condiment has been selling out fast.
Yet Leamington mayor, John Paterson, pointed out that support for French's need not mean an all-out boycott of Heinz, which still relies on local companies to manufacture other products, like vinegar and pasta sauce.
Some people are staunchly loyal to their ketchup. I say as long as the taste isn't compromised, a healthier alternative is definitely welcome in my fridge!
An arts company in the UK has a pioneering policy when it comes to periods. Coexist is considering implementing a menstruation policy that could see women working from home or even taking leave during their time of the month.
The thinking behind the "period policy" is that by allowing women to work flexible hours, they can optimize work during more productive parts of their cycle.
Obviously the policy may make more sense for companies like Coexist, where 24 of 31 staff members are female.
The director of the Bristol-based company, Bex Baxter, was driven to implement a policy due to her own extreme pain during menstruation. Just how productive, runs Baxter's argument, is a woman who is doubled over her desk in agony?
But only a reported 20 per cent of women experience debilitating period pain.
Every month, Baxter takes a day and a half off to work from home during her “winter cycle,” and claims the payoff is that the “spring cycle” following her period is three times more productive.
“There is a misconception that taking time off makes a business unproductive – actually it is about synchronizing work with the natural cycles of the body," said Baxter.
Fifty companies have signed up to the seminar “Pioneering Period Policy: Valuing natural cycles in the workplace” later this month. So clearly "menstruality" is a corporate concern, because ignoring the cycles is not only bad for women's health, it's also bad for business.
Others, like assistant professor of organizational behaviour at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ivona Hideg, simply view the policy as “benevolent sexism." But what if it instead is a biological imperative designed to maximize productivity - thereby being beneficial to both men and women?
Although women would have the option to take the time off (and make up for lost hours), Hideg feels such a policy would only undermine women and perpetuate stereotypes in the workplace.
And what of the guys at Coexist? Will they begrudge their female counterparts for a policy that excludes and eludes them? Apparently not. Rather, they liken it to time taken off by a male migraine sufferer.
“We’re not going to indulge it. We’ve got to make the business work,” Baxter said. “And I don’t want women being seen as victim. The menstrual cycle is not actually a sickness, it’s not a problem, but it’s been rendered that for so long.”
Interestingly, menstrual leave is nothing new. It's been adopted as policy in Japan since the 1940s - and in other parts of Asia.
Syrian refugees have almost made it through their first Canadian winter, enjoying winter fun like tobogganing and skating. Now girls will get to experience the best of what summer has to offer, thanks to Glen Bernard Camp.
"We're so proud to be able to play a role in helping build a new life for these newcomers. We can't wait to meet them this summer and introduce them to our community," said the camp's owner, Jocelyn Palm.
The Ontario girls-only camp, near Algonquin Park, has generously offered 24 free spaces for Syrian girls. They will get to try out all the camp traditions and activities. Bring on the 'Smores! Bring on the mosquitoes!
Camp is a proven self-esteem and confidence builder, particularly for girls. What's more, according to a research project by Waterloo University, attending summer camp boosts emotional intelligence, as well as "social integration and citizenship."
What a perfect way to instill a feeling of belonging in newcomers to our country.
Though applications are open on the camp's website until April 1, private donors are also able to sponsor girls aged 11 to 13.
Cheers to Glen Bernard Camp for walking the walk - and to the many other individuals and organizations out there living up to Canada's good name.
RELATED: Syrian Refugee Children Try Canadian Rite of Passage
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