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Michael J. Fox voices Real Canadian Superstore’s ode to Canadian unity and strength (Videos)

Source- Michael J. Fox Foundation
Source- Michael J. Fox Foundation

Real Canadian Superstore has launched a new national campaign celebrating the resilience and pride of Canadians. Featuring a powerful brand spot voiced by iconic Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, Real Canadian Superstore highlights the importance of unity and standing together, said the company on Thursday in a news release.

The commercial showcases the Canadian flag flying proudly above a Real Canadian Superstore, symbolizing the brand’s deep commitment to its Canadian heritage and values. Fox’s narration emphasizes the strength and spirit of Canadians, reminding viewers that collective action is key to overcoming adversity, it said.

Shelley Tangney
Shelley Tangney

“Real Canadian Superstore is a proudly Canadian brand, and we wanted to create a message that resonates with the values we share with our customers,” said Shelley Tangney, VP of Marketing at Real Canadian Superstore. “Michael J. Fox embodies the Canadian spirit of resilience, and we are honoured to have him lend his voice to this message.”

The campaign also includes a second commercial that shines a spotlight on the dedicated Real Canadian Superstore colleagues working in communities across the country, to the musical backdrop of iconic Canadian band Rush’s track The Spirit of the Radio. These Real Canadian Superstore individuals are the backbone of the stores, ensuring that Canadians have access to essential products and services, including thousands of local products on store shelves.

Bryan Collins
Bryan Collins

“Real Canadian Superstore is a proudly Canadian brand that’s doing a lot to help Canadians unite during a trying time. This spot is about standing together and celebrating Canadian pride,” says Bryan Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at ONE23WEST, who collaborated with Real Canadian Superstore on the campaign. “There are few people who embody Canadian resilience more than Michael J. Fox.”

Real Canadian Superstore is making a $100,000 donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to support its important work in Parkinson’s research. Since its founding in 2000, MJFF has funded more than $2.5 billion in global research, including in Canada, fundamentally altering the trajectory of progress toward a cure.

Loblaw is Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, and the nation’s largest retailer. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,500 corporate franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ more than 220,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada’s largest private sector employers. It has more than 1,100 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at nearly 1,400 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and close to 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial® services; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and four of Canada’s top-consumer brands in Life Brand®, Farmer’s Market™, no name® and President’s Choice®.

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Auction of HBC Artifacts Threatens Canada’s Heritage

Kathleen Epp, Keeper, Hudson’s Bay Company Archives (HBCA), with materials at the Archives of Manitoba in Winnipeg, May 2, 2025. The HBC made a bulk donation to the archive in 1994. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

By Norman Vorano

The proposed liquidation of many of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s (HBC) collections that together trace over three centuries of Indigenous and European interaction across this continent represents a profound threat to Canada’s collective memory and identity.

An Ontario Superior Court judge ruled that the company could move forward with an auction of 4,400 items — including historic artifacts and artworks.

Several government and non-government cultural agencies, including the Manitoba Museum and the Indigenous Council of the Canadian Museums Association, have expressed concern to HBC and the financial advisory firm it’s working with.

First Nations leaders and scholars say many of the objects likely have profound significance to Indigenous Peoples and are calling for repatriaton.

As an art history professor who has researched curatorial and museum practices, I can attest to the cultural and scholarly value of keeping documentary and cultural collections intact, rather than being scattered across the globe or disappearing into private hands.

This situation exposes the reach and limits of Canada’s Cultural Property Export and Import Act (CPEIA). The act has provisions to delay or block export of cultural property, defined broadly as “any cultural or heritage object, regardless of its place of origin, which may be important from an archaeological, historical, artistic or scientific perspective.” Yet, this legislation offers no guarantees that the objects will end up in Canadian museums or under Indigenous stewardship.

An ancient book with pen and ink writing.
Hudson’s Bay Company Archive (HBCA) material is photographed in the vault during a HBCA exhibit at the Archives of Manitoba in Winnipeg on May 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Importance for memory

After moving its head office from London to Canada in 1970, HBC first loaned records to the Archives of Manitoba in 1974 and then donated them in 1994 to the province. The vast collection includes about 130,000 images and all minute books from meetings of HBC’s governor and committee from 1671 to 1970.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated a substantial part of that collection as part of the Memory of the World Register. Items with this designation are recognized as showcasing and preserving the most significant documents of human heritage.

If the items heading to auction are similar, they, too, would be embedded with stories of political negotiation, cultural exchange and economic transformation that helped forge Canada over three centuries.

Some HBC records have provided a window into Canada’s climate history and ecology, offering valuable long-term data to environmental researchers. Others show evidence of Indigenous trade, land occupation and cultural presence relevant to genealogical research, band membership documentation and land claims.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, citing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, has called for transparency and consultation in any discussion concerning the disposition of HBC items and stopping any sale or transfer of artifacts that “may belong to or be linked with First Nations.”

Book spines seen on a shelf.
Hudson’s Bay Company Archive (HBCA) material photographed in the vault during a HBCA exhibit at the Archives of Manitoba in Winnipeg, May 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

1977 legislation

Prior to Parliament passing the CPEIA legislation in 1977, the federal government had few legal mechanisms to safeguard cultural heritage at home or abroad.

The 1951 Massey Report into the development of Canadian arts and culture acknowledged the sale and export of important collections, including Indigenous cultural belongings. It noted that some Canadian museums had been requesting “an embargo on the sale abroad of objects of particular national significance as well as for suitable grants to the museums which should preserve these objects ….”

Global concern for cultural property

An emerging global consensus on the need for a stronger cross-border regulatory system also shaped CPEIA’s development. The 1954 UNESCO Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict was the first international legal framework for the protection of moveable “cultural property.” This was created in response to the Nazi looting of private and public collections.

By the 1960s, Canada was studying British and French laws, particularly the U.K.’s 1952 Waverly Report, as models for export controls. Borrowing from the Waverly Report, CPEIA relied upon, in the words of Canadian diplomat Ian Christie Clark, a “co-operation of the collector-dealer fraternity” working together with the government to ensure compliance.

The final push to develop national policies flowed from the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. This obliged signatory states to develop their own laws to protect cultural heritage and facilitate the return of illegally exported property. To claim the reciprocal benefits of the convention, Canada had to act.

Relevance of the CPEIA

An independent committee of specialists, established through the CPEIA, can designate parts, or the entirety, of the HBC collection as “of outstanding significance and national importance” if the HBC proposed to donate or sell items to a designated Canadian institution.

In such a circumstance, the HBC, in tandem with a collecting institution, can request a review to unlock generous tax incentives if certified.

This designation could also arise if the owner — either the HBC or a successful buyer — applied for an export permit to move the collection out of Canada. This application would be screened against CPEIA’s export control list, which covers everything from archaeological and scientific specimens to documentary records and artworks that exceed age and value thresholds.

If those thresholds were met, and an export permit is denied, the works would be referred to an expert examiner for a full Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board assessment. A private sale within Canada would not alone prompt the review.

A plaque with two moose on either side of a coat of arms on the side of a building as a person walks past.
HBC’s records are embedded with stories of political negotiation. The store plaque at Toronto’s downtown Hudson’s Bay store is seen in 2005. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Derek Oliver

Receiving a cultural property designation would, at least temporarily, restrict the possibility of exporting items.

Importantly, the delay would give federally designated institutions like public museums or archives, as well as Indigenous-led organization with the mandate to preserve and support Indigenous heritage, an opportunity to purchase cultural property that has been denied an export permit. For this, CPEIA offers grants and loans for designated institutions to match the appraised value. Those grants and loans can also be used to repatriate collections that are abroad.

HBC’s historic archive is a prism through which we view Canada’s origins.

Dispersing or exporting this collection would significantly diminish our understanding of Canada. While CPEIA may play a role in retaining it, it offers no certainties.

About the Author: Norman Vorano is an Associate Professor of Art History and Head of the Department of Art History and Art Conservation at Queen’s University.

*This article originally appeared in The Conversation.

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L’Oréal Canada’s social and economic impact

Source: L'Oréal
Source: L'Oréal

L’Oréal Canada has unveiled the results of a global study conducted by economic researchers at Asterès assessing its socio economic impact by utilizing data from the OECD tables. Far beyond the company’s direct operations, the study demonstrates that thanks to the investments and activities of its distributors and suppliers, 1 job created at L’Oréal generates 11 jobs in the Canadian economy, totaling 20,500 jobs, said the company.

This ripple effect of benefits reaches countless Canadian businesses and communities and includes additional employment, skills and revenues that contribute to the country’s prosperity, it said.

An Verhulst-Santos
An Verhulst-Santos

“L’Oréal’s considerable impact in Canada is a testament to our commitment over the last 67 years, combined with the efforts of our local partners, to create sustainable value-creation and growth for the Canadian economy,” said An Verhulst-Santos, President and CEO of L’Oréal Canada. 

“The Asterès study confirms that L’Oréal’s influence extends beyond our own operations, adding to economic vibrancy, resilience and national prosperity. The commitment of L’Oréal to Canada is unwavering, and we will continue to invest in and support the Canadian economy and its people.”

L’Oréal has operated in Canada since 1958 and plays a crucial role in shaping the beauty industry’s trajectory. The company currently employs close to 1,800 employees in Montréal, at a head office, production plant and distribution centre, and a sales offices in Toronto. L’Oréal also employs more than 200 beauty advisors and temporary workers and provides internship opportunities to 70 students each year. L’Oréal is an employer of choice and has been recognized as one of Canada’s top 100 employers for the past 20 years, it said.

Economic Leadership and Impact:

In addition to the employment impact, the company said it also has other substantial economic and social contributions:

  • The total footprint of L’Oréal in the Canadian economy (direct activity of L’Oréal and cascading effects for other businesses in the country) represents a total turnover of approximately 5.2 billion Canadian Dollars (CAD).
  • The portfolio of L’Oréal in Canada includes 39 brands distributed nationwide, offering a wide and diverse range of products to meet varying consumer needs.
  • L’Oréal is dedicated to serving vulnerable populations across the country through its social initiatives. Thanks to the Fondation L’Oréal, brand-supported causes, and partnerships with 75 local NGOs and NPOs, including the Canadian Cancer Society, L’Oréal helps 110,000 people in Canada each year.
  • Montréal Plant:
    • 1,000 jobs supported, contributing directly to local employment and economic stability.
    • Montréal Distribution Centre:
      • 1 million orders prepared and delivered per year, demonstrating the scale and efficiency of L’Oréal’s distribution network. All orders delivered to Canadian retailers and consumers (online shopping) are shipped directly from its Montréal distribution centre.

L’Oréal Canada is a subsidiary of the L’Oréal Groupe, the world’s leading beauty company. The Canadian subsidiary, established in 1958, includes a head office, plant and distribution centre in Montréal, a sales office in Toronto, and employs close to 1,800 people from 73 different nationalities. The products from its 39 iconic brands are available in all distribution channels, including hair salons, department stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, medi-spas and e-commerce.

L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty player, has been around for 115 years. It has a portfolio of 37 international brands. In 2024 the Group generated sales amounting to 43.48 billion euros.

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CFIB urges parties to avoid another unnecessary Canada Post strike

Canada Post Building in Vancouver BC
Canada Post Building in Vancouver BC. Image: citycaucus.com

Last year’s postal strike came at a brutal time, just ahead of the holiday season, and cost small companies over $1 billion in lost revenue and sales. More than three-quarters (79%) of small business owners rely on Canada Post services to do business, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Today, there is renewed concern about another labour disruption.

Dan Kelly
Dan Kelly

“If no deal is reached between Canada Post and its union and strike action takes place in the coming weeks, the impact on small business will be significant. We are at a critical time for the country with small businesses grappling with massive uncertainty created by trade tensions with the United States and China. Small business confidence in the economy is at a near historic low,” said Dan Kelly, President of the CFIB.

“We cannot afford another threat to our economic stability, and we can’t keep finding ourselves back in the same spot with an unreliable supply chain and an important service again not being available to small firms. Canada Post needs major reforms to its business model, and we need to find better ways to resolve major labour disputes. We look forward to seeing the recommendations of the Industrial Inquiry Commission’s report.

“We’re urging both parties to work through their differences and avoid any disruption that would throw the operations of hundreds of thousands of Canadian small businesses in further jeopardy. If an agreement cannot be reached, government needs to use its legislative authority to maintain operations while it implements emergency reforms to address the long-term future of Canada Post.”

Last December, the CFIB released data indicating nearly three-quarters (73%) of small business owners say they will be using Canada Post less in the future because of the strike at that time.

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RONA Converts 15 More Stores to RONA+ Banner in Québec

From left to right, J.P. Towner, President and Chief Executive Officer, RONA inc., Andréanne Larouche, Deputee of Shefford, Robert Vincent, City Councillor, City of Granby, Alexandre Pronovost, actor of ‘Mike chez RONA’, Éric Lamarche, Store Manager, RONA+ Granby, Stéphane Giard, City Councillor, City of Granby, Sylvain Proulx, Senior Vice-President, Store Operations, RONA inc., and Marc-André Morency, Constituency Office Manager and MP for Granby. (CNW Group/RONA inc.)

RONA inc., one of Canada’s largest home improvement retailers, has announced the conversion of 15 additional stores to its flagship RONA+ banner. The latest conversions mark another major step in the company’s ambitious rebranding initiative that began in 2023, phasing out the Lowe’s name in Canada in favour of a consolidated Canadian identity.

With this move, RONA inc. continues to reshape the country’s home improvement retail landscape, bringing the total number of RONA+ stores to several dozen across the country. The company currently operates and services approximately 425 corporate and affiliated stores under the RONA+, RONA, and Dick’s Lumber banners.

Strategic Transformation of Canadian Retail Footprint

The transition to the RONA+ banner follows RONA’s October 2024 announcement that it would become the company’s sole retail brand. This latest rollout includes store locations primarily in Québec, including major markets such as Laval, Saint-Laurent, Trois-Rivières, and Gatineau. RONA+ stores are tailored to deliver an enhanced shopping experience, offering expanded product assortments, curated departments, and services targeting both professional contractors and do-it-yourself (DIY) customers.

“Canadians truly connect with our brand, and RONA’s enhanced store concept has won over our customers,” said J.P. Towner, President and CEO of RONA inc. “Indeed, stores that have been converted across Québec and Canada are flourishing. The enthusiasm for our brand in recent months is a testament to our efforts, and this makes me very proud.”

New RONA+ store at Emerald Hills in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Photo: Christa Patterson
New RONA+ store at Emerald Hills in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Photo: Christa Patterson

Store Locations Converted to RONA+

The 15 newly converted stores include:

  • RONA+ Carrefour Laval – 3065, boul. Le Carrefour, Laval, QC
  • RONA+ Saint-Laurent – 3600, boul. de la Côte Vertu, Saint-Laurent, QC
  • RONA+ Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville – 1221, boul. des Promenades, Saint-Bruno, QC
  • RONA+ Trois-Rivières – 4025, boul. des Récollets, Trois-Rivières, QC
  • RONA+ Chicoutimi – 465, boul. du Royaume Ouest, Chicoutimi, QC
  • RONA+ Gatineau – 777, boul. de la Cité, Gatineau, QC
  • RONA+ Mascouche – 175, montée Masson, Mascouche, QC
  • RONA+ Galeries d’Anjou – 7273, boul. des Galeries d’Anjou, Anjou, QC
  • RONA+ Gatineau (Le Plateau) – 165, boul. du Plateau, Gatineau, QC
  • RONA+ Joliette – 2000, boul. Firestone Est, Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, QC
  • RONA+ Saint-Eustache – 440, rue Dubois, Saint-Eustache, QC
  • RONA+ Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – 170, rue Moreau, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
  • RONA+ Granby – 200, rue Saint-Jude Nord, Granby, QC
  • RONA+ Rimouski – 385, boul. Arthur-Buies Est, Rimouski, QC
  • RONA+ Brossard (Dix30) – 9800, boul. Leduc, Brossard, QC

These conversions reflect RONA inc.’s commitment to reinforcing its presence in Quebec, a province where the brand has deep historical ties, while also creating a unified national identity under the RONA+ banner.

From Lowe’s to RONA+: A Strategic Shift

RONA was founded in 1939 and has long been recognized as a cornerstone of the Canadian home improvement sector. After being acquired by U.S.-based Lowe’s Companies, Inc. in 2016, the brand continued to operate in Canada under both the RONA and Lowe’s banners. In 2022, private equity firm Sycamore Partners acquired Lowe’s Canadian operations, including RONA, and set in motion a complete brand repositioning.

The RONA+ concept first launched in Ontario in July 2023 with the conversion of 10 Lowe’s stores. By February 2024, all Lowe’s stores in Canada had been transitioned to RONA+, officially retiring the Lowe’s brand from the Canadian market. In October 2024, the company converted the final 16 Réno-Dépôt stores to the RONA+ format as well, completing the transition.

What RONA+ Means for Canadian Shoppers

The RONA+ model builds on the strengths of both RONA and the former Lowe’s operations. Stores offer an extensive assortment of products—ranging from building materials to home décor—designed to appeal to a broad range of customers, from homeowners to large-scale contractors.

Enhancements in the RONA+ stores include:

  • Dedicated spaces for top-tier brands such as DeWalt
  • Improved seasonal and kitchen departments
  • An upgraded PRO section with tailored offerings for construction professionals
  • Flexible payment options and financing solutions
  • Clean and modern store layouts designed to simplify navigation and improve customer satisfaction

The rebranding simplifies the customer experience and also aligns with the company’s operations with a clear and cohesive Canadian brand identity.

Headquartered in Boucherville, Quebec, RONA inc. employs approximately 21,000 staff across its corporate and affiliated locations. The company is known for its emphasis on community engagement, Canadian heritage, and sustainability. It has been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers, reflecting its commitment to environmentally responsible practices and workplace inclusion.

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Tariffs to Drive Food Prices Higher in Canada

Photo: Loblaws

While Washington appears to be softening its stance with several key trading partners, Canada remains entrenched in a solitary and expensive tariff posture. This week, Loblaw president Per Bank issued a public warning: a new wave of price hikes, directly linked to Canada’s retaliatory tariffs, is about to hit store shelves. For consumers, this will mean more products marked with a subtle yet telling symbol: a “T” — indicating tariff-impacted goods.

Skeptics may view this as a convenient deflection tactic by Loblaw. But the issue extends far beyond one retailer. All major grocers will be affected. As of now, approximately 1,000 products at Loblaw stores already carry the “T” symbol — a number expected to climb above 6,000 in the next two months as inventories run dry and replenishments reflect increased import costs. And these are just the direct effects. Indirect impacts are mounting too, particularly for food manufacturers grappling with sustained input cost inflation on key imported ingredients.

Since March 4, 2025, Canada has implemented several rounds of 25% counter-tariffs on U.S. goods in retaliation for protectionist measures from the Trump administration. The surcharges apply to a wide range of imports: orange juice, peanut butter, wine, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, tools, cosmetics, and other consumer goods. In total, nearly $60 billion in imports are now affected.

Agri-Food Sector Faces Serious Strain

The agri-food sector is especially vulnerable to these trade frictions. With thin profit margins and a high reliance on strategic imports, food processors and retailers are under intense pressure. Ottawa’s tariff list includes about $5.8 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products — dairy, poultry, fresh produce, candy ingredients, bouillons, condiments, grains, rice, and more. Some iconic items, like Kentucky bourbon, have already disappeared from Canadian shelves. Since April, any U.S. vehicle not meeting CUSMA rules of origin is also subject to a 25% levy.

In many cases, Canadian manufacturers have no viable alternatives. For a significant number of ingredients or components, the United States remains the only feasible supplier in the short term. The result? Higher costs, few substitutes, and inevitably, a pass-through to consumers.

To its credit, the Carney government has tried to shield some raw materials and sustain dialogue with Washington. But sources suggest Ottawa is considering expanding its countermeasures to cover up to $125 billion in imports — including fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, dairy, EVs, and a range of electronic goods. Such escalation risks further undermining food security and the competitiveness of our agri-food sector.

Tariffs Lead to Higher Prices and Fewer Choices

This tariff path imposes a double penalty on Canadians: rising prices and shrinking choices. Ironically, despite Trump’s aggressive tariff playbook, U.S. food inflation fell to 2.0% in April — way below Canada’s. In theory, tariffs should drive prices up. That hasn’t happened in the U.S., where a denser, more competitive market absorbs external shocks more effectively. Canada lacks that economic cushion.

The ‘Elbows Up’ campaign may be meant to inspire resilience, but from an economic standpoint, it’s little more than a distraction. While the U.S. manages to contain food inflation at 2.0% despite aggressive tariffs, Canada is facing higher prices and fewer choices — a direct result of poor policy insulation and limited market competitiveness. Symbolic gestures won’t offset structural inefficiencies.

The message from grocers is clear: it’s time for Ottawa to rethink its retaliatory tariff strategy — before the cost becomes too steep for households and industry alike.

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Loblaw CEO warns of “large wave” of tariff-related increases

Image: Loblaws

While the tariff situation might be improving between the U.S. and other countries, that’s not yet the case here in Canada. In fact, we’ll be facing a large wave of tariff-related increases in the weeks ahead, warns Per Bank, CEO & President, Loblaw Companies Limited.

Per Bank
Per Bank

“Our customers might have seen a “T” symbol on our shelf labels, which indicated that a product has been impacted by tariffs. So far, we’ve been able to limit the number of T symbols on our shelves to a little over 1,000 items. But our inventory is running out, and in the next week or two, the number of products with a T symbol will surge to over 3,000. Within the next two months, that number could peak at over 6,000,” wrote Bank in a LinkedIn post.

“On average, our store portfolio combined carry roughly 80,000 items. So while the majority of products will be unaffected, customers will start to see more impacts in non-produce categories like natural foods, pantry staples, health & beauty products, and more.


“It’s been good to see Prime Minister Carney and other leaders engaging in dialogue with U.S. officials, as we’re all hoping for a rapid de-escalation of this situation. We were also pleased to see the change in policy, where only finished food products from the U.S. are subject to tariffs.

Source- Per Bank LinkedIn
Source- Per Bank LinkedIn

“In the meantime, customer decisions continue to shift. In this photo, for example, we see customers choosing PC orange juice made with oranges from Brazil over the national brand product sourced from the U.S. Sometimes, but rarely, it will be the reverse, where our control brand products are affected… as about 4% of our control brand products are sourced from the U.S.

“Needless to say, this situation continues to evolve. We’ll continue to do our best to help customers make informed decisions and in cooperation with our vendors to look for more Canadian and non U.S produced products where at all possible.”

In April, the Loblaw April Food Inflation Report said that while the impact of Canada’s counter tariffs was minimal on food prices in March, as retailers sell through existing inventories higher prices will begin appearing on shelf.

“While currently on pause, the tariffs the U.S. has threatened to impose on dozens of countries could indirectly impact food prices here in Canada. Coffee, already facing higher than normal prices due to a poor growing season, is one example. Many U.S. coffee producers import their beans from Vietnam (the second largest producer after Brazil), which could attract a 46% tariff. After roasting and packaging in the U.S., that finished product is sent to Canada, where an additional 25% tariff exists upon entry. As a result, every $1 spent on coffee previously could conceptually cost as much as $1.82 after tariffs,” explained Loblaw.

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Scene+ and Recipe Unlimited Corporation extend partnership

Image: Harvey's

Scene+ and Recipe Unlimited, Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company, announced Wednesday the renewal of their partnership.

Recipe Unlimited will remain the exclusive dining partner for the Scene+ rewards program, allowing its 15 million members to continue earning and redeeming Scene+ points at more than 700 Recipe restaurant locations across Canada. The renewal agreement is for a 3-year period, according to a news release.

Scene+ members can redeem the points they earn on movies and entertainment, grocery, travel, retail shopping, gift cards and more. Members earn one (1) point for every $3 spent on dine-in, drive-thru, or takeout at participating restaurants, said the release.

Candice Troupe
Candice Troupe

“Scene+ is committed to developing partnerships that give the best quality and value to our members,” said Candice Troupe, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Scene+. “This renewal assures that Scene+ members will be earning and redeeming points while enjoying exceptional moments and meals for years to come.”

Recipe Unlimited is Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company, operating some of Canada’s most iconic restaurant brands including Swiss Chalet, Montana’s, Kelseys, East Side Mario’s, Harvey’s and New York Fries.

Frank Hennessey
Frank Hennessey

“For the past decade, the partnership between Recipe Unlimited and Scene+ has demonstrated our joint commitment to rewarding our valued guests. I’m happy to share that we’re renewing this collaboration, ensuring we can continue working together to deliver exceptional dining experiences,” said Frank Hennessey, CEO, Recipe Unlimited.

Canadians can learn more about Scene+ and how to start earning and redeeming points at sceneplus.ca.

Founded in 1883, RECIPE Unlimited Corporation is Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company. The company franchises and/or operates some of the most recognized brands in the country including Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, St-Hubert, The Keg, Montana’s, Kelseys, East Side Mario’s, New York Fries, Bier Markt, The Landing Group of Restaurants, Original Joe’s, State & Main, Elephant & Castle, The Burger’s Priest, The Pickle Barrel, Marigolds & Onions, Blanco Cantina, Añejo, and Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar. 

Scene+ is a carefully curated rewards program offering its more than 15 million members the opportunity to earn points in a wide variety of ways, in a manner that suits their buying habits and lifestyle. Through its relationship with Scotiabank, Scene+ members have an opportunity to accelerate their points-earning potential with eight options on credit or debit cards that give members access to a whole new level of rewards and value.

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KINTON RAMEN announces new restaurants in Calgary and Richmond Hill

Source: KINTON RAMEN
Source: KINTON RAMEN

KINTON RAMEN, the popular ramen chain celebrated for its authentic Japanese cuisine, has announced the upcoming openings of its second Calgary location in the vibrant Mission District and its newest Richmond Hill location in the Smart Centre Bayview.

Named KINTON RAMEN Mission Calgary, this new location continues the brand’s expansion in Alberta, driven by increasing demand for high-quality Japanese dining experiences, said the company.

Karalyn White
Karalyn White

“We’re excited to bring the KINTON RAMEN experience to the Mission neighborhood,” said Karalyn White, Senior Director of Franchising at KINTON RAMEN. “Our team is committed to creating a space that not only serves exceptional ramen but also reflects on the warmth and energy of traditional Japanese dining.

“We’re thrilled about our growth in Western Canada. From our South Trail Crossing opening to our other upcoming Alberta locations, it’s exciting to see the growing demand for authentic Japanese ramen in the province.”

Located at 1904 4 St. SW, KINTON RAMEN Mission Calgary is set for a soft opening in Spring 2025, with an official opening date to be announced soon. Following the soft opening period, which will allow staff to settle in, a grand opening celebration will be held at the restaurant.

The new Calgary location is the second of several planned for the city – with another restaurant slated for a soft opening this summer in the Uxborough neighbourhood, said the company.

This expansion is part of a signed Area Representative Agreement with The Labreche Group, which will bring 12 KINTON RAMEN outposts to Alberta over the next five years.

The company said KINTON RAMEN BayMac Richmond Hill continues the brand’s expansion in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), driven by an increasing demand for high-quality Japanese dining experiences.

Located at 1070 Major Mackenzie Dr. E, the restaurant is expected to soft open in Spring 2025 – an official date will be announced soon. Following the soft opening period, which will allow staff to settle in, a grand opening celebration will be held at the restaurant.

With more than 45 locations across five provinces – Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec – KINTON RAMEN has built a loyal following by combining innovative ramen creations with traditional recipes.  

KINTON RAMEN began franchising in 2021 – nearly a decade after launching its first restaurant in downtown Toronto in 2012 – with a mission to make its unique dining experience accessible to all.

The brand was established in May 2012 and was one of Toronto’s first Japanese ramen restaurants, led by Executive Chef Aki Urata.

The brand is operated by the KINKA FAMILY, founded in 2019, a full-service international hospitality group. KINKA FAMILY owns and operates a diverse portfolio of restaurants and cafés in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Chicago, and New York. Included are KINKA IZAKAYA, KINTON RAMEN and JaBistro.

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