Canada economy recession talk is landing at the same moment a beloved discount chain is rising from the ashes of Hudson's Bay. The hosts are not sure that is a coincidence.

Zellers, Loyalty Points, and the Nostalgia Economy

A Quebec retail group has acquired the Zellers name, logo, and Zeddy the bear, and plans to go national. The hosts dig into what the revival actually signals about where Canadian consumers are right now, and whether optimum points, Canadian tire money, and aeroplan rewards are doing more for the economy than anyone wants to admit.

Trump, Forced Labor, and the Technical Recession Nobody Wants to Name

Sixty countries are now accused of forced labor violations under a tariff authority American courts have already struck down once. The hosts trace the Uyghur supply chain connection, weigh whether Canada's recession is technical in name only, and land on one uncomfortable agreement: Trump may have done Canadian defence spending a favour nobody asked for.

Topics: Canada economy recession, Trump tariffs forced labor, Zellers relaunch, technical recession Canada, loyalty points

GUEST: Jamie Ellerton | conaptus.com

GUEST: Lindsay Broadhead | broadheadcomms.ca

Originally aired on 2026-06-03