If you haven’t managed to stay fully abreast of the latest in Canadian food news, well, who could blame you? Canada is home to an incredibly dynamic culinary scene and there is far too much going on for one person to keep track of it all, so we’ve come to fill in some of the gaps!
From the impending extinction of B.C’s open-net pen fish farms to a popular U.S. bakery chain making its Canadian debut in Vancouver, to a Calgary trucker caught trying to import roughly 45 kilograms of cocaine in a shipment of bananas, here are five food stories you might have missed this week.
Writing on the wall for B.C. fish farming
The shíshálh Nation and wild salmon conservationists celebrated the impending closure of two massive fish farming operations in B.C. and Washington this week. The B.C.-based operation is owned by aquaculture giant Grieg Seafood and had been operating on the nation’s waters, which reportedly compromised food security in the region.
The current timeline for the widespread removal of open-net pen farms is still somewhat uncertain, but Fisheries and Oceans Canada hopes to have a transition in place by next summer.
Visit the Vancouver Sun for more.
Calgary trucker caught importing cocaine-stuffed bananas
The #RCMP Federal Integrated Border Enforcement Team, in partnership with @CanBorderPRA, has charged a #Calgary man for importing 43 kg of cocaine into Canada. https://t.co/VMR6gfM7lv #FederalPolicing #Coutts pic.twitter.com/SjgA8Hkojf
— RCMP Alberta (@RCMPAlberta) November 17, 2022
A Calgary-based trucker is currently in hot water after Alberta border officials conducted a routine search of his commercial truck and found roughly 43 kilograms of cocaine stuffed within a shipment of bananas.
The truck driver was caught entering Alberta from the U.S. and was scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court this past Thursday.
Read the full story at Global News.
Black Canadian non-profit launches cool new concept on Granville Island
The Black Business Association of B.C. recently opened its first retail store on Granville Island. UEL—which stands for Unity, Excellence, and Legacy—sells products made or imported by B.C.’s Black Canadian community, including clothing, artworks, herbs and spices, and more.
Find out more at CBC News.
Quebec looks to implement fees for reservation no-shows
Restaurants in Quebec have been looking to the provincial government to allow them to implement small fees to guests who don’t show up for their reservations. Some Edmonton restaurants have been employing a similar strategy, but Quebec currently has consumer protection laws that prohibit restaurants from charging for a no-show.
Head to CTV News for the full story.
Canada’s first Milk Bar opens in Vancouver
A U.S.-based bakery chain from a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef recently opened its first full-service Canadian location in Vancouver. Milk Bar was founded by chef Christina Tosi and has become well known for popular products like the Compost Cookie, “naked” layer cakes, cereal milk soft serve, and more.
Head to the Daily Hive for the full breakdown.
