$500 Million for Food Security While Cutting Agriculture Research

You volunteer at a food bank watching hamper requests increase weekly. Food security investments sound promising until you read the details. Mark Carney announces $500 million for food suppliers, $150 million for small and medium producers, $20 million for local food infrastructure including food banks. The same week, the government cuts 655 jobs at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada including seven research and breeding centers. GST rebate affordability measures don't apply to most groceries anyway, so the connection between the rebate and food costs doesn't exist.

 

Lesley Kelly identifies the contradiction: claiming food security is a priority while eliminating research capacity for future wheat breeding and crop development. The cuts devastate long-term agricultural innovation while short-term grants provide temporary relief without addressing systemic problems. Jimmy Zoubris notes Canada's grocery prices increased more than any other G7 country. Food affordability requires protecting the systems that make food, not just distributing temporary cash.

 

Topics: food security investments, agriculture research cuts, grocery affordability, farm policy, government priorities

 

How to Spot Separatist Social Media Accounts That Aren't Canadian

You tweet about Canadian agriculture policy. Separatist social media influence floods your replies within hours. Three or four accounts push Alberta or Quebec separation rhetoric using identical language and hashtags. You click on the profiles. Account created six months ago. Location: not even North America, let alone Canada. The CTV headline reads "Separatist sentiment resurfaces in Alberta and Quebec" but the sentiment might not be Canadian at all. Steve Bannon tours Canada. Outside interference intensifies. Twitter lets you verify account creation dates and locations publicly.

 

The panel raises alarm about foreign manipulation. Lesley Kelly sees separation replies spike on unrelated agriculture tweets, noting when language and hashtags match perfectly across accounts. Jimmy Zoubris recalls Quebec's 1995 referendum won by the no side 50.5% to 49%, with accusations of outside influence and federal spending violations. Your social media feed might not reflect Canadian opinion. Account verification takes seconds. Check creation dates. Check locations. Separatist sentiment created by non-Canadian trolls isn't sentiment at all. It's interference designed to destabilize, and it's working.

 

Topics: separatist social media, outside political interference, election manipulation, troll accounts, Quebec referendum

 

GUEST: Jimmy Zoubris, Lesley Kelly | highheelsandcanolafields.com


Originally aired on 2026-01-26

$500 Million for Food Security While Cutting Agriculture Research
You volunteer at a food bank watching hamper requests increase weekly. Food security investments sound promising until you read the details. Mark Carney announces $500 million for food suppliers, $150 million for small and medium producers, $20 million for local food infrastructure including food banks. The same week, the government cuts 655 jobs at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada including seven research and breeding centers. GST rebate affordability measures don't apply to most groceries anyway, so the connection between the rebate and food costs doesn't exist.
&nbsp;
Lesley Kelly identifies the contradiction: claiming food security is a priority while eliminating research capacity for future wheat breeding and crop development. The cuts devastate long-term agricultural innovation while short-term grants provide temporary relief without addressing systemic problems. Jimmy Zoubris notes Canada's grocery prices increased more than any other G7 country. Food affordability requires protecting the systems that make food, not just distributing temporary cash.
&nbsp;
Topics: food security investments, agriculture research cuts, grocery affordability, farm policy, government priorities
&nbsp;
How to Spot Separatist Social Media Accounts That Aren't Canadian
You tweet about Canadian agriculture policy. Separatist social media influence floods your replies within hours. Three or four accounts push Alberta or Quebec separation rhetoric using identical language and hashtags. You click on the profiles. Account created six months ago. Location: not even North America, let alone Canada. The CTV headline reads "Separatist sentiment resurfaces in Alberta and Quebec" but the sentiment might not be Canadian at all. Steve Bannon tours Canada. Outside interference intensifies. Twitter lets you verify account creation dates and locations publicly.
&nbsp;
The panel raises alarm about foreign manipulation. Lesley Kelly sees separation replies spike on unrelated agriculture tweets, noting when language and hashtags match perfectly across accounts. Jimmy Zoubris recalls Quebec's 1995 referendum won by the no side 50.5% to 49%, with accusations of outside influence and federal spending violations. Your social media feed might not reflect Canadian opinion. Account verification takes seconds. Check creation dates. Check locations. Separatist sentiment created by non-Canadian trolls isn't sentiment at all. It's interference designed to destabilize, and it's working.
&nbsp;
Topics: separatist social media, outside political interference, election manipulation, troll accounts, Quebec referendum
&nbsp;
GUEST: Jimmy Zoubris, Lesley Kelly | highheelsandcanolafields.com
 Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-26

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.