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Professor Treena Wasonti:io Delormier to chair expert panel on Indigenous science and food sovereignty

admin — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:58:33 +0000

The Canadian Council of Academics (CCA) has formed an expert panel to examine how Indigenous science can be supported to advance policy and governance in a way that achieves reciprocal benefits for all people in Canada. Using food sovereignty as a case study, the panel will develop a framework that can be applied across a range of policy issues.

Is eating Canadian better for your health?

admin — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:45:05 +0000

In a recent article, La Presse investigates whether boycotting American products could improve our health. Experts interviewed for the article said it's possible—but only if we change other eating habits in the process.

Climate science, community wellness, and career inspiration at the 2025 John Abbott Sustainability Through Science Symposium

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 21:19:18 +0000

On April 11, 2025, over 60 people gathered at the annual John Abbott Sustainability Through Science Symposium to hear how the research of three Macdonald Campus graduate students contributes to a more sustainable future. Honours and science students from John Abbott College, as well as members of 91��'s Macdonald Campus community, were inspired by short talks followed by a panel discussion on the students' university experience and their chosen career paths.

Local goods shop is filling the grocery gap in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue—comments from Prof. Daiva Nielsen

admin — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:35:43 +0000

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que., residents have a new spot to do their groceries. After the suburb's only grocery store closed for the second time, B Factory, a locally owned beeswax products shop that had been on the verge of bankruptcy, expanded its space to include a small grocery section called Mon Marché Local.

Quebec adopts new code to regulate 'forever chemicals' in biosolids—comments from Prof. Grant Clark

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:38:28 +0000

The presence and concentration of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," in fertilizing residual materials will be monitored under new standards in Quebec through a management code, according to Quebec's Environment Ministry.

Quebec's code on the management of fertilizing residual materials such as sewage sludge, also known as biosolids—which come from treating municipal or industrial wastewater—will take effect Nov. 1.

The code takes into account a total of 13 types of substances and includes monitoring guidelines.

Will the new Canadian Grocery Code of Conduct work?

admin — 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.

Decades after peregrines came back from the brink, a new threat emerges—comments from Prof. David Bird

admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:43:34 +0000

After DDT use nearly wiped out peregrine falcons in the 20th century, numbers are collapsing again in many countries, the Guardian reports.

Though scientists have yet to determine a definite cause, many—including 91�� Professor Emeritus David Bird, who formerly led the University's Avian Science and Conservation Centre—think highly pathogenic bird flu may be largely to blame.

How artificial food dyes are regulated in Canada

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:56:19 +0000

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced plans to phase out some food dyes, most of which remain allowed in Canada. CBC News spoke to experts about the safety of these dyes and how they are regulated in Canada.

Bridging worlds as the ice recedes

admin — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:55:31 +0000

91�� PhD candidate Alexandra Langwieder works with James Bay Indigenous communities to better understand polar bears

Pascal Thériault: For American farmers, it is impossible to do without Canadian potash

admin — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:08:29 +0000

As the threat of impending tariffs and counter-tariffs loom, U.S. agricultural producers have very few options to substitute Canadian potash, an essential ingredient in fertilizer, 91�� agronomist and economist Pascal Thériault told TVA Nouvelles.

Are you paying more than before to buy Canadian? Experts say it's complicated

admin — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:20:05 +0000

Some items from quintessentially Canadian brands have jumped in price at a Loblaws in Toronto, CBC News reports.

According to CBC's analysis of grocery products labelled as Canadian, while most products remained the same price and about two per cent decreased in price, the regular price of hundreds of products have increased since governments put out the call to buy food made in Canada. Some are from iconic Canadian brands, including Tim Hortons, St-Hubert, Swiss Chalet, and Chapman's.

Should we fear cadmium? Comments from Mathieu Leduc

admin — 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.

Nobody knows why this snowy owl is orange—David Bird weighs in

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:39:43 +0000

An orange tinted snowy owl in Michigan has baffled scientists with its orange colouring, CBC News reports. Experts say it could be a genetic mutation, an accident, or human mischief.

Ornithologist and Professor Emeritus at 91��, David Bird, expressed some doubts about the strange colouration being caused by genetics.

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

admin — 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.

Ghana's Cocoa Price Surge: A Bitter Truth for Chocolate Lovers

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:26:53 +0000

Last week, La Presse reporters spoke to agronomist and economist Pascal Thériault about a recent price surge of 62.58% for Ghanaian cocoa, a move aimed at supporting its struggling farmers. This significant price hike is expected to affect not only other cocoa-producing countries but also global chocolate manufacturers and consumers.