After the news that Canada’s mislabelled trash was rejected by Philippines recycling facilities, there was a lot of uncertainty regarding what would come next. Despite the initial uproar and potential threats to Canadian-Filipino relations, it seems like the problem is now under control, thanks to Burnaby’s Waste-to-Energy incinerator. Not only does Metro Vancouver believe disposing of the garbage will be no problem, they have also stated that incinerating 1,500 tonnes of trash will produce enough power to supply the equivalent of 16,000 homes in the region for two days.
Alberta’s contentious liquor taxes made news again this week as Calgary-based Big Rock Brewery announced plans to layoff employees as a cost-saving measure. Big Rock has stated it will have to pay more than $21 million in liquor taxes this year, so it seems likely that more cuts will ensue.
Lastly, Sofina Foods Inc. made national news again this week for yet another salmonella outbreak linked to their Compliments brand chicken strips. Since the last outbreak made the news, multiple vendors have not only refrained from pulling the product from its shelves, but have actually been selling them at a highly discounted rate. As much as we love chicken strips, we recommend steering clear of Compliments products.
Here are six articles you might have missed in the world of food news this week.
Big Rock Brewery laying off staff due to Alberta’s beer taxes
Big Rock Brewery recently announced its plans to lay off staff, as well as other cost-cutting measures, as a result of high tax rates on Alberta beer. Big Rock has stated it will have to pay more than $21 million in liquor taxes this year.
Get the full story at CBC News.
Metro Vancouver plans to incinerate trash from Philippines
Earlier this month, we reported that the Canadian government offered to bring back 1,500 tonnes of garbage from the Philippines that was mislabelled as recycling. According to Metro Vancouver, Environment and Climate Change Canada has selected Burnaby’s Waste-to-Energy Facility to dispose of the waste. Incinerating the garbage will reportedly produce enough power to supply the equivalent of enery needs of 16,000 homes in the region for two days.
Find out more at CBC News.
Fast food franchises and immigration consultants taking cash from foreign nationals in exchange for job opportunities
Multiple sources have recently come forward admitting that Canadian service-sector businesses have been accepting payments of up to $20,000 from foreign nationals to provide jobs in Canada. Although this practice is highly illegal, it is also very difficult to trace.
Read more about this shocking story at the Globe and Mail.
Winners of Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards revealed
The 26th annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards took place this week featuring products that were introduced into the market in 2018. Among the 24 winners, four recipients also received special awards, including Oggi Foods Inc.’s All-Canadian trophy for its cauliflower pizza crust, Gay Lea Foods' innovation and originality award, and a special lifetime achievement award to the Sobey Family.
Find out more at Newswire.
Compliments brand chicken strips linked to national Salmonella outbreak
Sofina Foods Inc. is back in the news for yet another salmonella-related product recall. Eleven people in seven provinces have fallen ill because of its Compliments brand chicken strips, and while that number may seem relatively low, it is one among hundreds of laboratory-confirmed salmonella cases in the past two years.
Head to CTV News for more on the story and check out the CFIA for a full breakdown of the recall.
Wild pigs spreading across Canada
Some researchers say that the rapid growth of Canada’s wild pig population carries with it a severe risk for the potential to spread disease, devastate crops, and destroy natural vegetation. Wild pigs cover a range of over 777,000 square kilometres in Canada and researchers say that over the last decade, their territory has grown by an average of 88,000 square kilometres per year.
Find the full story at CTV News.
