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Although Hosh’s family came to Canada as immigrants, he said he is also deeply affected by the negativity directed toward refugees: “It hurts when you hear some of the stuff. It’s emotional.”

The poem is part lyric ode, part protest and part celebration of Canadian culture. It begins with an expression of remembrance, celebrating his homeland, “the long, hot days of my childhood/sitting among the figs.”

The poem is also an ode to Canada, where on his first days here he experienced “fire-jumping and ice hockey/in the same day,” diversity, safety and connection.

The poem is also a protest against the sharp shift to the right south of the border, “where warm welcomes/are now replaced with shakedowns, shadowy fears and the promise of a wall.”

Hosh, who recently travelled to the U.S., isn’t afraid of the risk going public with his sentiments might bring.

He said he’s had an outpouring of support from customers and the community. “I wanted to express my gratitude to say we really love being here and I will do my personal best to build an honest business, pay taxes, create full-time jobs and enrich the culture.”

The shops, filled with the aroma of nuts roasted on-site, are a far cry from the bulk-bin section of your local health-food store, with chandeliers and silver trays, and elevated experience. Hosh said he wanted to make the dried-fruit-and-nut experience something like visiting a bakery or a bread shop, where buying fresh, warm bread becomes part of a cherished daily ritual.