Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the conservative party of Canada, visited Roustan Sports' stick factory on Friday, where he praised the Brantford, Ont., employees for carrying on a Canadian tradition in the midst of the U.S. trade war.
Poilievre is the latest politician to visit the manufacturing facility, which is the sole wooden hockey stick manufacturing facility in Canada — and where 400,000 traditional wood sticks are manufactured yearly. Earlier this month, Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s Secretary of State (Sport), toured the Roustan Sports headquarters.
Federal minister Evan Solomon visited in August. Poilievre was accompanied by Brantford mayor Kevin Davis, who will be running for the local Conservative Party of Canada seat in a yet-to-be-announced by-election.
As Roustan Sports owner and CEO W. Graeme Roustan explained to media, Davis has been a supporter of the business since Roustan moved the factory from Hespeler, Ont.
to Brantford in 2021. (left to right) W.
Graeme Roustan, Brantford mayor Kevin Davis, conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Photo credit: Stephanie Bevan “All politicians in Canada recognize that hockey is not only our sport but the culture of our country," Roustan told the Brantford Expositor.
“Having the only hockey stick factory in Canada creates a bit of a buzz. "They want to see this place, and walk the factory to see where hockey sticks are made.
It’s really an experience.” Area MPP Will Bouma, another supporter, was also on hand.