'Why eat like the Bourgeoisie?': Justin Trudeau's doughnut debacle in Winnipeg goes viral
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Winnipeg on Monday, a seemingly innocent stop at a local doughnut shop turned into a viral moment, with harsh criticism flooding in from Canadians.
Picked up some of Winnipeg’s best to keep us going through another full day of Cabinet meetings. Thanks for the fuel, @OhDoughnuts. #shoplocal pic.twitter.com/9vrgWnUdxo
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 20, 2020
Trudeau went online to tweet about picking up “some of Winnipeg’s best” treats in advance of Cabinet meetings, with a #shoplocal hashtag and a photo of him carrying seven boxes of doughnuts from Oh Doughnuts.
Thanks for stopping by @JustinTrudeau . We can confirm he carried these out the door. Pretty sure Health Canada would agree everything is okay in moderation😉. Also most of our ingredients are local and those boxes are carbon neutral, right @GeorgettePack ?😊 https://t.co/oe8ibeuIeX
— OhDoughnuts (@OhDoughnuts) January 20, 2020
The shop responded to the tweet, thanking the prime minister for visiting and adding, “Health Canada would agree everything is okay in moderation” and that most of the ingredients are local, packed in boxes that are carbon neutral.
Suddenly, some Canadians were up in arms about the fact that Trudeau chose to purchase doughnuts from a more expensive, local shop, instead of a cheaper option, like Tim Hortons.
$47 a dozen or $10.99 for Tim’s. Why eat like the Bourgeoisie?
— Jenny Wood 🇨🇦 (@JLCWood2017) January 20, 2020
Canadian’s are struggling to pay their bills and Trudeau spends taxpayers money on gourmet donuts. I guess Tim Hortons isn’t good enough for the Liberal clan. https://t.co/cP3oGNXzx1
— Susan Ruyselaar (@susanr1212) January 21, 2020
I think you should clarify this tweet. It was one Tim Hortons. Not many. Tim Hortons employs thousands of people across this country. Many Canadians can’t afford “organic”. The Trudeaus can - taxpayers pay over $2500 a month for the organic food they eat.
— What's Goin On #YouPeople (@lakecitygirl) January 21, 2020
While others have now said it’s actually better that Trudeau supported a local Winnipeg business with his order, and the criticism is just unnecessary.
the funniest part about the people getting mad over Trudeau not getting doughnuts from the “Canadian” institution that is supposedly and unjustifiably Tim Hortons is that Tim Hortons is owned by 3G Capital, a Brazilian investment firm.
— Shan (@shanfurness) January 21, 2020
Let's review. 🤔@OhDoughnuts: ~$3
Tim Hortons (specialty): ~$2
OD: Locally owned, pays staff a living wage w/ benefits, uses local ingredients.
TH: Owned by a Brazilian hedge fund, uses crap ingredients, fights minimum wage increases.
🤷♂️#cdnpolihttps://t.co/Ixx4fbLs2M— Stephen Punwasi (@StephenPunwasi) January 21, 2020
I would like a spreadsheet showing:
A> The people complaining about this doughnut thing
B> The kind of car they drive.
C> The amount of hardly-used rooms they heat all winter long https://t.co/i1kuBo48xF— Shawn Micallef (@shawnmicallef) January 21, 2020
Oh Doughnut publicly responded to the responses on social media, defending the price of their products and stressing the importance of supporting small, local businesses.
For all those folks complaining that @JustinTrudeau paid too much for our doughnuts when he could have got a dozen at Tim’s for $10, consider this:
-Tim’s isn’t Canadian owned;
-Many Tim’s owners have taken away breaks & benefits from their staff;
1/4— OhDoughnuts (@OhDoughnuts) January 21, 2020
-A local Winnipeg Tim’s has locked their staff out over a 10 cent raise;
-Tim’s doughnuts are not made fresh in each shop-they are trucked in frozen from a plant in ON
-Tim’s does not use local or organic ingredients where possible, and their cups are not compostable;
2/4— OhDoughnuts (@OhDoughnuts) January 21, 2020
We are locally owned;employ 30+ staff who enjoy breaks and have the option of joining a benefit plan;we use local butter, eggs and flour;our doughnuts are made fresh daily;we do our best to pay a living wage & never pay minimum wage;
3/4— OhDoughnuts (@OhDoughnuts) January 21, 2020
We pay to compost our organic waste & offer compostable or recyclable packaging.
Our pricing reflects our respect for our employees,the environment and our commitment to quality, local goods. We are a small biz that really appreciated the sale on a cold Jan Mon morn. #cndpoli— OhDoughnuts (@OhDoughnuts) January 21, 2020
So what do you think about this doughnut debacle? Vote in the poll above and leave your thoughts in the comments below.