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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong
@profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
490 followers 120 following 240 posts

Associate professor of operations research at Brock University. I teach quality improvement & game theory. I research the economic aspects of cannabis legalization. https://brocku.ca/goodman/faculty-research/faculty-directory/michael-armstrong/ .. more

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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · May 21
1. My new study in @ijdrugpolicy.bsky.social examined how alcohol 💲 sales changed at Nova Scotia Liquor Corp stores during the first 17 months after Canada 🍁 legalized recreational cannabis in 2018.

#EconSky #EpiSky @brocku.ca
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Alcohol sales changes in a Canadian province after recreational cannabis legalization
Cannabis legalization’s impacts partly depend on how it affects use of other substances like alcohol. This observational study analyzed alcohol sales …
www.sciencedirect.com
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 17h
FYI @profsavage.bsky.social
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 23h
My @brocku.ca colleague Antonia Mantonakis discussed booming sales of Ontario wines with CTV.

www.ctvnews.ca/business/art...
‘Why would we buy U.S. wines?’ Ontario vintners reap benefits of trade dispute
The grape harvest is well underway and sales of local wines are booming, thanks in part to the province’s ongoing boycott of U.S. wines and spirits.
www.ctvnews.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 3d
"Government cannabis stores are on strike" is a headline that could only appear in Canada.

7 years after legalization, cannabis has become so ordinary that headlines like this are mere footnotes in the daily news.

www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
All government-run liquor, cannabis stores in B.C. closed as strike escalates
All government-run liquor and cannabis stores in B.C. are now behind picket lines, according to the union representing striking public service workers.
www.ctvnews.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 6d
"Ontario Craft Wineries, which represents more than 100 producers, said wine sales across all retail channels — from grocery and convenience stores to restaurants — have jumped by 78 per cent."

www.cbc.ca/radio/costof...
How the U.S. trade war uncorked a surprising boom for wineries across Canada | CBC Radio
Thanks in large part to the patriotic "Buy Canadian" movement, which has changed consumer habits and reshaped parts of the retail landscape, winemakers across the country say they're enjoying a rare a...
www.cbc.ca

profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 11d
The new 2025 Ontario jury pay rate is 9 years overdue. Here's what I wrote about it back in 2018.
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@ca.theconversation.com
theconversation.com/crime-doesnt...
Crime doesn’t pay, but jury duty should
A Canadian federal report recommends paying jurors at least $120 daily. Provinces should take action.
theconversation.com
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 11d
I'm glad Ontario will finally start paying jurors from day 1, but disappointed the $120/day rate remains below the $146 legal minimum any other employer must pay.

Governments shouldn't ignore their own labor laws.
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www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/arti...
‘Long overdue’: Ontario juror pay increasing to $120 per day from Day 1 of service
Ontario jurors will be compensated $120 per day from the first day they serve starting Wednesday, a significant increase that some advocates applaud but add that more support for jurors is needed.
www.ctvnews.ca
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Reposted by Michael J. Armstrong

waters-wine.bsky.social
Christopher Waters @waters-wine.bsky.social · 15d
“We develop our entire portfolio of wine around what the site gives us. If that wine reminds you of someplace else, we’re not doing our job,” says Cave Spring winemaker Gabriel Demarco.

www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/f...
For this Niagara winemaker, the local terroir can stand on its own
Gabriel Demarco of Cave Springs isn’t interested in making copycat wines
www.theglobeandmail.com
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 16d
"Canadians’ Visa card spending in Oregon this July was half that of July 2024."
cheesles.bsky.social
Cheesles @cheesles.bsky.social · 17d
Huge hit on the Oregon coast. Thanks, Tariff Man.

#econsky

www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Canadians and Other International Tourists Shun Oregon This Summer
President Donald Trump’s threats to make Canada the “51st state” have alienated the biggest source of international tourism to Oregon.
www.wweek.com

profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 17d
"A brief look at the origins of the U.S. war on drugs shows how the term “war” can be used to normalize acts of oppression or violence."

theconversation.com/not-enemies-...
Not enemies, but people: Why the world needs to rethink the language of war
Using the term ‘war’ when fighting alleged drug traffickers or terrorists serves to justify killing them without proof they’ve committed any crimes.
theconversation.com

profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 17d
The Niagara Grape & Wine festival takes place this weekend in & around St. Catharines, ON. 🍷 🍇

niagarawinefestival.com
Discover Niagara | Niagara Grape & Wine Festival
Discover all that Niagara has to offer with the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival. Celebrate all things VQA with our signature wine and culinary events!
niagarawinefestival.com
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Reposted by Michael J. Armstrong

cheesles.bsky.social
Cheesles @cheesles.bsky.social · 17d
Huge hit on the Oregon coast. Thanks, Tariff Man.

#econsky

www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Canadians and Other International Tourists Shun Oregon This Summer
President Donald Trump’s threats to make Canada the “51st state” have alienated the biggest source of international tourism to Oregon.
www.wweek.com
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 18d
The Pearl Morissette winery has received a 2-star rating from Michelin for its restaurant. 🧑‍🍳🍷

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
How Niagara's Pearl Morissette became just the 2nd restaurant in Canada to earn 2 Michelin stars | CBC News
Restaurant Pearl Morissette in the Lincoln, Ont., neighbourhood of Jordan Station is now one of just two Canadian restaurants with two Michelin stars, a rare culinary honour.
www.cbc.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 18d
British Columbia's government-owned alcohol & cannabis distribution centers are on strike. 🍷 🍃

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
B.C. public workers' strike expands to liquor, cannabis distribution warehouses | CBC News
The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) says workers at the Liquor Distribution Branch's headquarters in Burnaby — as well as warehouses in Delta, Richmond and Kamloops — are now on strike.
www.cbc.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20d
Data source: Statistics Canada counts of returning Canadian travelers.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-60...

profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20d
By contrast, 8% more Canadians are flying overseas in 2025. It seems that about 70% of those who would normally fly to the USA flew overseas instead.
This line plot displays the monthly number of Canadian residents returning from countries other than the USA via airplane. The lower blue line with markers shows monthly counts for 2024. The higher solid red line shows monthly counts for 2025 up to June; the dashed red line shows leading indicators of counts for July & August.
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20d
12% fewer Canadians are visiting the USA by air ✈️ in 2024 vs 2025.
This line plot displays the monthly number of Canadian residents returning from the USA via airplane. The higher blue line with markers shows monthly counts for 2024. The lower solid red line shows monthly counts for 2025 up to June; the dashed red line shows leading indicators of counts for July & August.
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20d
29% fewer Canadians are visiting the USA by land 🚗 in 2025, compared to 2024.
#EconSky
This line plot displays the monthly number of Canadian residents returning from the USA via car or motorcycle. The higher blue line with markers shows monthly counts for 2024. The lower solid red line shows monthly counts for 2025 up to June; the dashed red line shows leading indicators of counts for July & August.
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 23d
U.S. travel by Canadians in Aug 2025 was 34% lower by car & 25% lower by plane, relative to Aug 2024.

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Canadians are taking a big step back from the U.S. — and here's the data to prove it | CBC News
In the weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump sparked a trade war with his punishing tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada’s "old relationship" with the U.S. would be "over" soon — and now ...
www.cbc.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 23d
FYI @profsavage.bsky.social
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 25d
"Exorcise" 👹 without the "or"?

Not that it's any easier. 🙂
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 25d
🍺 Moosehead Breweries is phasing out bottles & will soon sell beer only in cans. It's running a contest to give away the last bottle from it's production line.

Perhaps beer historian @danmalleck.bsky.social will win that piece of brewing history?

www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/new...
Moosehead Breweries will no longer sell beer in bottles
New Brunswick-based Moosehead Breweries has announced it will stop selling its beer in bottles at the end of the year.
www.ctvnews.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 28d
FYI
#EconSky
bretdevereaux.bsky.social
"Online Rent-a-Sage" Bret Devereaux @bretdevereaux.bsky.social · 28d
This week on the blog: more peasants! We take our model of peasant farming from last week and factor in land scarcity, tenancy and exploitation and hopefully clear up at last that you do not, in fact, work harder than a pre-modern peasant!

acoup.blog/2025/09/12/c...
Collections: Life, Work, Death and the Peasant, Part IVc: Rent and Extraction
This is the third piece of the fourth part of our series (I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb) looking at the lives of pre-modern peasant farmers – a majority of all of the humans who have ever lived. Last…
acoup.blog
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Reposted by Michael J. Armstrong, James Grimmelmann, Michael J. Taylor

bretdevereaux.bsky.social
"Online Rent-a-Sage" Bret Devereaux @bretdevereaux.bsky.social · 28d
This week on the blog: more peasants! We take our model of peasant farming from last week and factor in land scarcity, tenancy and exploitation and hopefully clear up at last that you do not, in fact, work harder than a pre-modern peasant!

acoup.blog/2025/09/12/c...
Collections: Life, Work, Death and the Peasant, Part IVc: Rent and Extraction
This is the third piece of the fourth part of our series (I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb) looking at the lives of pre-modern peasant farmers – a majority of all of the humans who have ever lived. Last…
acoup.blog
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 28d
"the rain deficit in southern Ontario was 70-90 per cent less than normal. But due to their deep roots, the vines at Perrault may be unaffected by the drought"
🍷
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Ottawa vineyard excited for harvest, despite summer drought | CBC News
In a summer filled with record-breaking heat, this Ottawa vineyard says its mature vines are well-placed to weather the drought.
www.cbc.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 29d
"there is little public accountability as to how the fund money is used ... the province’s Auditor-General confirmed to The Globe and Mail that it is investigating ... The Ford government has already invested $1.5-billion in the program"

www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
OPSEU calls for greater accountability on Ontario’s work-force training fund
Union says fund is diverting public money away from postsecondary institutions in favour of ‘unvetted’ programs
www.theglobeandmail.com

profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · Sep 11
My @brocku.ca is seeking a new VP External who can coordinate with government, community, alumni, and global partners. Please apply by 3 Oct.

www.kbrs.ca/Career/17546...
Vice-President, External
Vice-President, External Brock University, Niagara Region, Ontario
www.kbrs.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · Sep 11
... but slightly more options for housing.
2/2

universityaffairs.ca/news/student...
Student housing crunch eases  - University Affairs
Students returning to campuses across Canada this fall are finding it easier to secure housing, thanks to an increase in supply and a decline in the number of immigrants and international students.
universityaffairs.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · Sep 11
A decline in international students means Ontario university students are finding fewer options for elective courses ...
1/2

universityaffairs.ca/news/slim-pi...
Slim pickings in course calendars - University Affairs
Budget cutbacks leave Ontario students with meager options.
universityaffairs.ca
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profmjarmstrong.bsky.social
Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · Sep 10
"There's a smart way to bring down [international student] numbers.... And frankly, right now we've stumbled into doing it a dumb way and it's gonna cost all of us,"

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
With a drop in international students, campuses are seeing class waitlists, course cuts and fewer researchers | CBC News
As they buckle down for a new fall term, post-secondary students, faculty, administrators and sector experts are worried, as institutions struggle with plummeting enrolment of students from abroad, fi...
www.cbc.ca
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