Across North America, the Black Lives Matter movement continues to dominate news this week, with more attention paid to the different ways that individuals can educate themselves and proactively make a difference, including how we can all support more black-owned businesses.
With Covid-19 still being a serious health issue, a new initiative is helping Toronto restaurant owners fill more seats on their patios by allowing them to extend onto public property.
Over in B.C., even with dining being at 50 per cent capacity, many people are still weary about dining out, but, B.C.'s provincial health officer made the official statement that now is the time to dine.
While some are looking forward to dining-out, many Inuit people just want to be able to eat traditionally again. The pandemic has made it increasingly difficult for Indigenous peoples living in urban areas to source their traditional foods. Some organizations are helping with harvesting and distribution of country food for Nunavut Inuit people residing outside the territory.
Finally, the murderer of renowned Calgary chef Christophe Herblin has been charged.
What you can do for the BLM movement
Over the past few weeks, the Black Lives Matter movement has been intensifying due to the death of George Floyd.
In addition to protesting to show support, many have taken to social media to promote Black-owned businesses. Whether you want to support the movement through directly donating to charities, or by putting your dollars toward supporting the Black community, here is a list of ways you can show your support.
Find Black-owned small businesses including restaurants and bars in your area on afrobiz.ca.
Find Black organizations and anti-racist groups from this Huffington Post story.
Learn more about how racism affects us in Canada with this video and Ted talk.
To find ways to donate, check out this story on Refinery29.
Patios take to sidewalks with "CafeTO"
Even with the current dismal dining situation, which has been going on for nearly three months, it isn't hard to remember a time when a coveted table on a patio downtown was nearly impossible to get at peak time, keyword: nearly.
With capacity being limited to 50 per cent in restaurants and bars, that precious patio spot is expected to be even more elusive with social distancing measures.
To avoid this shortage and to help patio-reliant restaurants, the city of Toronto created the "CafeTO" program, which allows restaurants and bars to extend their patio onto sidewalks to increase the number of tables they can seat.
Although restaurants in Toronto are not sure when they are going to be able to reopen, this program will provide them with a head start when it comes to regaining lost profit.
Learn more about CafeTO with this story from CBC.
B.C.'s provincial health officer fully endorses returning to restaurants
The idea of returning to normal may seem distant, but one aspect of normality has been given the go ahead by Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer. When asked about her recommendations for diners seeking to revisit their favourite restaurants for dine-in service, Dr. Henry was firm in her belief that now is the time to get out there.
Dr. Henry noted that there are health precautions in place within every establishment through their staff and their facilities, so diners should feel confident and safe. She also believes that it is not just in the best interest of restaurants for dine-in service to resume, but also the patrons. Regaining the social activity of going out to eat is vital for many people's mental health, even Dr. Henry has admitted to having already visited her favourite restaurant.
Read more about this on the Daily Hive.
Harvesting and redistribution of Inuit country food
Due to Covid-19, urban members of the Inuit community living outside of Nunavut may be suffering from food insecurity even more. To help those in need, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. are lending a helping hand with funds from the federal government, redistributing traditional country food--like fish, game meats and foraged foods--harvested from Nunavut to urban areas. So far, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated has donated over $500,000 for the harvesting, shipping and distribution of country food.
This food is said to be the preferred diet of many Inuit people, and is important for their nutrition, mental health, identity and sustainability.
Read more about this country food initiative at Nunatsiaq News.
Man charged in connection with death of Calgary chef Christophe Herblin
A 26-year-old man has been charged with second degree murder of acclaimed chef Christophe Herblin.
In March of this year, chef Herblin was preparing to open a French market and deli named Croque Saveurs, when he was killed during his response to a break-and-enter alarm.
Herblin was well known for his position of executive chef at the Glencoe Golf and Country Club, a position which he held for 13 years.
Anthony Archie Michel Christian has been charged with Herblin's murder and will appear in court on June 8.
For more on this story, visit Global News.
