In recent weeks, politicians have increasingly relied on striking visuals to advocate for their positions on food and trade issues. However, these staged moments often fail to serve the public interest and can exacerbate food illiteracy in a country where understanding of the food system is already tenuous.

A notable example is Ontario Premier Doug Ford's recent protest against Diageo's decision to close its bottling plant in Ontario. In a dramatic display, he dumped a bottle of Crown Royal and called for a boycott of the brand. What Ford did not clarify is that the bottle was produced in Manitoba and bottled in Quebec by unionized Canadian workers, meaning their jobs were not impacted by the closure in Ontario. The Windsor facility primarily served the U.S. market, and Diageo's decision had been in the works for years. Ironically, the boycott could harm Canadian workers who will continue to produce Crown Royal for domestic consumers. This situation raises concerns for potential investors, who may hesitate to invest in Ontario if they fear government backlash against corporate restructuring decisions.

On a federal level, Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent trade visit to Mexico also raised eyebrows. He posed with bags of Canadian wheat adorned with a maple leaf. However, Canada does not export wheat in bags; it is one of the world's most efficient bulk grain exporters, moving millions of tons via rail and ocean vessels designed for safety and efficiency. Presenting Canada in this manner undermines its reputation as a modern agri-food powerhouse and misrepresents the sophistication of its agricultural system. Such portrayals can have serious implications, as perceptions can influence policy decisions.

Recent polls indicate that Canadians support reducing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to protect canola growers facing retaliatory measures in China. Yet, many of the same individuals also favor maintaining supply management in the dairy sector, a policy often criticized for being anti-competitive and inefficient. This contradiction underscores the confusion surrounding agricultural policy among the public.

Politicians play a significant role in this confusion by simplifying complex issues into theatrical displays rather than providing education. Media outlets often amplify these stunts instead of critically examining them. The Canadian agri-food sector relies on scale, efficiency, and credibility, and cheap political theatrics—whether it be a dumped bottle or a staged wheat bag—do little to support this reality.