Big box impact on neighbourhoods theme of This Mag film series, panel and issue launch

Big box stores have been steadily creeping into downtown cores and a panel discussion on Wednesday 25th intends to look at the bigger questions behind plans for a Wal-Mart to move into the historic Kensington Market area of Toronto. It's part of the launch of the September/October issue of This Magazine -- its Corporate Hall of Shame issue -- and a new film series sponsored by the magazine called Every Film is Political.

The panel will follow a screening of WAL-TOWN, a National Film Board-produced film by Sergeo Kirby looking at the business practices of mega-retailer. Panellists will include journalist John Lorinc (Spacing, Globe and Mail), Dominique Russell, organizer of Friends of Kensington and Shahil Thomas, who works with the Metcalf Foundation on Resilient Neighbourhood Economies. The moderator will be This Magazine editor Lauren McKeon. 

The magazine issue is an annual survey of Canadian companies This says have been up to no good. 

“It’s about holding 50 companies to account and about digging that hook in real deep and not letting go, watching and observing and saying ‘we know you did that,’” says McKeon.

The event takes place at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto and doors open at 6:30 p.m. $15 includes the screening and a copy of the issue.