Ian Lee, Professor at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business, explains why Bick’s—Canada’s favourite pickle—is becoming harder to find on Canadian shelves. Despite being made with Canadian cucumbers and lids, the pickles are packaged in the USA—meaning new tariffs now apply. Ian breaks down how these tariffs don’t work as intended and end up punishing Canadians for bad politics. Join Shane and Ian as they unpack the complexities behind this beloved Canadian favourite and what it reveals about trade, politics, and consumer costs.

Originally aired on 2025-08-12

Ian Lee, Professor at Carleton University&rsquo;s Sprott School of Business, explains why Bick&rsquo;s&mdash;Canada&rsquo;s favourite pickle&mdash;is becoming harder to find on Canadian shelves. Despite being made with Canadian cucumbers and lids, the pickles are packaged in the USA&mdash;meaning new tariffs now apply. Ian breaks down how these tariffs don&rsquo;t work as intended and end up punishing Canadians for bad politics. Join Shane and Ian as they unpack the complexities behind this beloved Canadian favourite and what it reveals about trade, politics, and consumer costs.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2025-08-12

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Crunch Time: What’s Happening to Bick’s Pickles in Canada?

Tipping culture Canada turns every transaction into guilt. The screen flips before your coffee pours. 18%, 20%, 25%. You haven't tasted anything, but payment is demanded now. Do you tip for service you haven't received, or risk the label: bad customer?

Wayne Smith traces the practice to post-Civil War America, where businesses refused to pay freed slaves actual wages. Shane confronts the pre-service demand: tip screens appearing before coffee pours. The Uber Eats ranking fear. The $300 stylist asking 20% more. Smith contrasts reconstruction-era exploitation with algorithm-driven guilt, asking when encouragement became extortion.

Discover why the numbers jumped from 12-15-20% to 18-20-25%. Learn how gig economy tips became wages instead of bonuses. Understand what happens when the checkout screen makes you choose between generosity and resentment before you've even received what you ordered.

GUEST: Wayne W. Smith, Ph.D. | Toronto Metropolitan University

Originally aired on 2026-01-14

Tipping culture Canada turns every transaction into guilt. The screen flips before your coffee pours. 18%, 20%, 25%. You haven't tasted anything, but payment is demanded now. Do you tip for service you haven't received, or risk the label: bad customer?
Wayne Smith traces the practice to post-Civil War America, where businesses refused to pay freed slaves actual wages. Shane confronts the pre-service demand: tip screens appearing before coffee pours. The Uber Eats ranking fear. The $300 stylist asking 20% more. Smith contrasts reconstruction-era exploitation with algorithm-driven guilt, asking when encouragement became extortion.
Discover why the numbers jumped from 12-15-20% to 18-20-25%. Learn how gig economy tips became wages instead of bonuses. Understand what happens when the checkout screen makes you choose between generosity and resentment before you've even received what you ordered.
GUEST:&nbsp;Wayne W. Smith, Ph.D. | Toronto Metropolitan University
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-14

SHIFTHEADS: Tipping Culture: When Guilt Becomes the Business Model

Part 1 - Jamie Ellerton: I'm a Moody Tipper and Here's Why

Tipping culture debate forces impossible decisions before you taste a single sip. The screen rotates. Three glowing percentages stare back. Your order hasn't been made. The barista hasn't smiled. But you're already choosing whether to look generous or cheap. Lindsay calls it creepy—tipping before service creates fear about what happens to your latte if you refuse.

Jamie confesses he's a moody tipper: a buck fifty on a good day, zero at a sandwich counter, always 15% for his stylist (20% on holidays). He argues the entire system is broken—abolish tipping, pay workers properly, set prices accordingly. Shane introduces his standing rule: if he's vertical while ordering, the tip isn't happening. The discussion reveals how servers share tips with management, kitchen staff, and bartenders, often keeping only 9-10% of what customers intended. Lindsay questions why customers assume financial superiority over service workers.

Learn why Jamie tips a single dollar to send a message about terrible service. Discover how ego drives tipping assumptions. Understand what separates counter service from table service.

Part 2 - A Leadership Vacuum: Bonnie Crombie and Francois Legault Quit the Same Day

Canadian political resignations hit twice in one day when two provincial leaders walked away. Bonnie Crombie pulled the pin on Ontario's Liberal leadership. François Legault quit as Quebec Premier. You're watching a recasting of who stands at the podium—and the timing isn't coincidence. It's wallet issues, healthcare crises, and voters demanding adults in the room.

Jamie explains Legault's resignation as waving the white flag after his fight with Quebec doctors made him toxic. Polling shows him matching Trudeau's pre-resignation numbers, with the Parti Québécois poised to win. Crombie's departure was different—she'd already quit in practice, MIA from Queen's Park since fall, drawing party salary while the Ontario Liberals stayed broke and leaderless. Lindsay argues voters want localized leadership focused on municipal realities, not broad platforms. Shane questions why Canada can't find leaders who actually lead. The conversation shifts to Trump's Greenland threats and CUSMA bluster while Mark Carney negotiates in China.

Discover why Jamie says take Trump seriously without taking him literally. Learn what Crombie's absence from Queen's Park revealed. Understand how auto sector economics connect Canadian and American workers.

GUEST: Jamie Ellerton, Lindsay Broadhead | conaptus.com, broadheadcomms.ca

Originally aired on 2026-01-05

Part 1 - Jamie Ellerton: I'm a Moody Tipper and Here's Why
Tipping culture debate forces impossible decisions before you taste a single sip. The screen rotates. Three glowing percentages stare back. Your order hasn't been made. The barista hasn't smiled. But you're already choosing whether to look generous or cheap. Lindsay calls it creepy&mdash;tipping before service creates fear about what happens to your latte if you refuse.
Jamie confesses he's a moody tipper: a buck fifty on a good day, zero at a sandwich counter, always 15% for his stylist (20% on holidays). He argues the entire system is broken&mdash;abolish tipping, pay workers properly, set prices accordingly. Shane introduces his standing rule: if he's vertical while ordering, the tip isn't happening. The discussion reveals how servers share tips with management, kitchen staff, and bartenders, often keeping only 9-10% of what customers intended. Lindsay questions why customers assume financial superiority over service workers.
Learn why Jamie tips a single dollar to send a message about terrible service. Discover how ego drives tipping assumptions. Understand what separates counter service from table service.
Part 2 - A Leadership Vacuum: Bonnie Crombie and Francois Legault Quit the Same Day
Canadian political resignations hit twice in one day when two provincial leaders walked away. Bonnie Crombie pulled the pin on Ontario's Liberal leadership. Fran&ccedil;ois Legault quit as Quebec Premier. You're watching a recasting of who stands at the podium&mdash;and the timing isn't coincidence. It's wallet issues, healthcare crises, and voters demanding adults in the room.
Jamie explains Legault's resignation as waving the white flag after his fight with Quebec doctors made him toxic. Polling shows him matching Trudeau's pre-resignation numbers, with the Parti Qu&eacute;b&eacute;cois poised to win. Crombie's departure was different&mdash;she'd already quit in practice, MIA from Queen's Park since fall, drawing party salary while the Ontario Liberals stayed broke and leaderless. Lindsay argues voters want localized leadership focused on municipal realities, not broad platforms. Shane questions why Canada can't find leaders who actually lead. The conversation shifts to Trump's Greenland threats and CUSMA bluster while Mark Carney negotiates in China.
Discover why Jamie says take Trump seriously without taking him literally. Learn what Crombie's absence from Queen's Park revealed. Understand how auto sector economics connect Canadian and American workers.
GUEST: Jamie Ellerton, Lindsay Broadhead | conaptus.com, broadheadcomms.ca
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-05

NEW - Smart Speakers - Tips: The Guilt Tax Breaking Canada

Tipping before service puts you in an impossible position the second the payment screen flips around. You're standing at the counter. Your sandwich isn't made yet. Your coffee isn't poured. But the machine wants 18%, 20%, or 25% right now—before anyone's done anything. Do you tip for a service that hasn't happened, or look cheap in front of a stranger?

Shane breaks down why he won't tip while standing anymore, and Ryan admits he's been guilted into a "millennial tax" he can't explain. The real problem? You might not even know where that money's going. Shane teases a conversation with Tony Tedesco that proves the person you think is getting your tip might not be touching a cent of it. The timing's broken. The transparency's gone. And the guilt is doing all the work.

Discover why the moment you're asked to tip matters more than the amount. Learn what changes when you flip the script and tip after the service instead of before. Understand why standing versus sitting became Shane's new rule for deciding who deserves it.

Originally aired on 2026-01-14

Tipping before service puts you in an impossible position the second the payment screen flips around. You're standing at the counter. Your sandwich isn't made yet. Your coffee isn't poured. But the machine wants 18%, 20%, or 25% right now&mdash;before anyone's done anything. Do you tip for a service that hasn't happened, or look cheap in front of a stranger?
Shane breaks down why he won't tip while standing anymore, and Ryan admits he's been guilted into a "millennial tax" he can't explain. The real problem? You might not even know where that money's going. Shane teases a conversation with Tony Tedesco that proves the person you think is getting your tip might not be touching a cent of it. The timing's broken. The transparency's gone. And the guilt is doing all the work.
Discover why the moment you're asked to tip matters more than the amount. Learn what changes when you flip the script and tip after the service instead of before. Understand why standing versus sitting became Shane's new rule for deciding who deserves it.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-14

Crunch Time: What’s Happening to Bick’s Pickles in Canada?

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