Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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/

brocku.ca

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

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

1 4 6

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 8h

"All government-run liquor, cannabis stores in B.C. closed as strike escalates"
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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 2d

"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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 7d

The new 2025 Ontario jury pay rate is 9 years overdue. Here's what I wrote about it back in 2018.
2/2

@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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 7d

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.
1/2
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

1 2

Reposted by Michael J Armstrong

Christopher Waters @waters-wine.bsky.social · 11d

“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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 13d

"Canadians’ Visa card spending in Oregon this July was half that of July 2024."

Cheesles @cheesles.bsky.social · 14d

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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 13d

"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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 13d

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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 14d

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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 15d

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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 16d

Data source: Statistics Canada counts of returning Canadian travelers.
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-60...

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 16d

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.

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 16d

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.

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 16d

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.

3 7 21

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 19d

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

1 1

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 20d

FYI @profsavage.bsky.social

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 22d

"Exorcise" 👹 without the "or"?

Not that it's any easier. 🙂

1 1

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 22d

🍺 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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 25d

FYI
#EconSky

"Online Rent-a-Sage" Bret Devereaux @bretdevereaux.bsky.social · 25d

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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 25d

"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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 26d

"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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 27d

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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 27d

... 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

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 27d

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

1 1

Michael J Armstrong @profmjarmstrong.bsky.social · 28d

"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

1 2