51�Թ�� News - Farm Management and Technology Program

CN’s use of glyphosate sparks health and safety concerns—comments from David Wees

webfull — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:40:17 +0000

Some residents in Montreal’s Mercier-Est neighbourhood were caught off guard after Canadian National (CN) Railway sprayed a herbicide near their homes this week, CTV News reports.

Glyphosate is a powerful weedkiller banned in Montreal since 2021, as part of the city’s precautionary approach to protecting human health and the environment. But CN operates under federal jurisdiction, which means it isn’t subject to municipal rules.

Published: 7 August 2025

Quebec wine sales surge after U.S alcohol boycott—comments from Pascal Thériault

webfull — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:41:55 +0000

Quebec wine sales have gone up since the removal of American alcohol products from the shelves of the SAQ last March and local producers are working hard to fill demand.

Agronomist and economist Pascal Thériault, Director of 51�Թ��'s Farm Management and Technology Program, told CTV News that producers shouldn’t bank on this boycott for long.

Published: 4 August 2025

The first fully automated greenhouse in Canada—comments from Pascal Thériault

webfull — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:52:15 +0000

In Ontario, a fully automated greenhouse allows lettuce to be grown and harvested with virtually no human intervention—a first in Canada.

Haven Greens had to invest $50 million to make it happen. But the result is striking: the company can operate with just five employees in the greenhouse, whereas it would have required more than 100 pickers using the traditional method.

Published: 17 July 2025

What are those fluffy seeds floating in the air? David Wees explains

webfull — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:12:25 +0000

If you've been noticing white fluff floating around Montreal lately, you're not the only one. Those are seeds from the Eastern Cottonwood tree and it's the season that they're spreading through the air.

CBC News spoke to David Wees, Faculty Lecturer and Assistant Director of the Farm Management and Technology Program at 51�Թ��, to find out more.

Published: 17 July 2025

Should we fear cadmium? Comments from Mathieu Leduc

webfull — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:50:40 +0000

French doctors are raising the alarm about rising exposure to cadmium, a toxic heavy metal found in phosphate fertilizers. Cadmium is a known carcinogen linked to kidney damage, bone disease, and other long-term health issues, even at low doses. French doctors are urging France's government to tighten fertilizer regulations to reduce this public health risk.

Published: 30 June 2025

IGA and Metro slow to comply with new price display law—comments from Pascal Thériault

webfull — Tue, 27 May 2025 19:59:37 +0000

In the IGA and Metro grocery stores visited this week by Le Journal de Montréal, the price per pound of discounted products appeared on signage, but the regular price per pound was still not indicated, contrary to a new regulation that came into effect on May 7 which requires that grocers to "indicate a single unit of measurement for all goods of the same type." This rule aims to allow consumers to easily compare prices.

Published: 27 May 2025

Will the new Canadian Grocery Code of Conduct work?

webfull — Mon, 26 May 2025 20:44:00 +0000

Canada's grocery sector code of conduct will finally come into effect on June 1, after years of discussion.

The voluntary grocery code, which all major retailers have agreed to sign on to, aims to support smaller retailers by providing guidelines for fair negotiations with suppliers.

Published: 26 May 2025

Quebec's Exceldor to be sold to Ontario company Sofina Foods—Pascal Thériault comments

webfull — Thu, 22 May 2025 19:46:52 +0000

The Quebec cooperative Exceldor, known for its chicken breasts, wings, and nuggets, has taken steps to sell its assets to the Ontario company Aliments Sofina.

For the sale to be completed, it must be approved by two-thirds of the cooperative's members and two-thirds of the investment shareholders, as well as the Canadian Competition Bureau.

Published: 22 May 2025

Rising demand at food banks indicative of Canada's affordability crisis

webfull — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:35:47 +0000

Food banks across Canada set a new record for demand in 2024, with more than two million monthly visits—nearly double the rate seen five years prior, reports CBC News.

One reason for the spike in demand is the rising cost of food.

"What we're encountering right now is a problem where food inflation is bigger than general inflation," economist and agronomist Pascal Thériault, Senior Faculty Lecturer at 51�Թ��, told CBC.

Published: 30 April 2025

Consumers are increasingly using boycotts, but do they actually work?

webfull — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 19:39:27 +0000

While there are plenty of examples to the contrary, the general academic consensus is that boycotts don’t work for a sustained period, as consumers eventually disengage and reprioritize brand loyalties or price. According to a recent poll, however, the Globe and Mail reports that the Buy Canadian movement shows no signs of slowing down.

Published: 22 April 2025

51�Թ��� News - Farm Management and Technology Program