Canada’s economic recovery from the pandemic is being hampered by labour shortages across industries ranging from energy to aviation to agriculture, forcing companies to consider multiple salary hikes and offer other perks. Statistics Canada data Nov. 5 showed the national unemployment rate hit a 20-month low in October. The shortage of skilled and unskilled workers […] Read more
Resource-rich Canada grapples with key labour issues
From agriculture to the oilpatch, lack of labour is driving up wages
Farmers eye potential impacts from minimum wage hike
Despite agricultural exemptions, pay rates are typically affected
The significant increase to minimum wage recently announced by the provincial government garnered a muted, and in some cases, positive response from Ontario’s agricultural sector. This is a contrast to reaction from the sector in 2018, when the last major increase occurred. According to one of the loudest voices of dissent from 2018, Hamilton-area broccoli […] Read more
Tim Hortons parent to buy Firehouse Subs as other brands drag
Chain's comparable year-to-date sales up 20 per cent against pre-pandemic levels
Reuters — Tim Hortons parent Restaurant Brands International said Monday it will buy sandwich chain Firehouse Subs for US$1 billion, at a time when its popular brands are struggling due to increased competition from rivals launching new menu items. Analysts have said fried chicken sandwich pioneer Popeyes, owned by RBI, has been hurt by McDonald’s […] Read more
Mushrooms offer new products and opportunities
Fungi are the newest trend in plant-based alternatives
The popularity of pea and soy-derived proteins as food ingredients is growing rapidly due to strong consumer demand for alternative proteins and meat substitutes. Mushrooms are a promising plant-based ingredient emerging along with those foodstuffs. Why it matters: According to Natural Products Canada, fungi can transform solid matter, changing both its chemical composition and its […] Read more
Two Ontario farms to test automated mushroom harvesting system
Creating a system that can select the right mushrooms without bruising is the challenge
The vision of an automated harvesting system for the mushroom industry recently took a significant step closer to becoming a reality. The federal government, through its national supercluster for advanced manufacturing, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), announced almost $4.2 million in funding to improve the mushroom harvesting system that Putnam,Ont.-based Mycionics Inc. has been developing. […] Read more
Industry-led code of conduct for food retailers on horizon
Fees create 'uncertainty' for producers, processors
A report from a federal-provincial working group says the retail sector has levied an increasing number of fees on suppliers, and is proposing the formation of a code of conduct as a potential solution. Canada’s agriculture ministers are now calling on industry to lead the process. They had formed the working group to study the […] Read more
Walmart locks in CRSB claim for in-store beef brand
Chain to be first retailer in Canada with certified-sustainable label on pack
The Canadian arm of Walmart has locked in enough of a supply of certified-sustainable beef to label its entire Your Fresh Market burger patty line accordingly. The retail giant announced Monday it’s now sourcing beef from “certified sustainable” farms and ranches according to standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB). The company […] Read more
Mushrooms exposed to UV light produce Vitamin D
Research results could lead to value-added opportunities for producers
New research shows UV-C light treatment increases Vitamin D2 in mushroom caps and stems in both white and brown mushrooms. Why it matters: These new findings provide farmers with the opportunity to better manage their post-harvest handling and storage and can add value and nutritional benefits to consumers. Mushrooms are the only produce containing Vitamin […] Read more
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