News Briefs

REGINA - A group of Canadian ranchers is calling for an investigation into meat pricing. The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association says it's asking the provincial and federal governments to look into what it calls an "imbalance'' between the price ranchers receive for the cattle and the price consumers pay at the meat counter. The group says many ranchers and feedlots are operating at a loss this year. Grass is still scarce on the Prairies due to last summer's drought, and the cost of feed grain and fuel has skyrocketed since last year. But packers and retailers are reporting strong profits this year. The Stock Growers say they believe slaughterhouses may be intentionally running fewer shifts to in order to keep wholesale beef prices high and allow fed cattle supplies to build up in the countryside. In the U.S., the Biden administration has already expressed concerns about rising meat prices and vowed to implement policies aimed at increasing competition in the meat-packing sector. According to Statistics Canada, the retail price of beef is up 11.2% year-over-year.

-The Canadian Press

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union's executive branch proposed Wednesday a ban on the sale of flavoured heated tobacco products, including some vaping items, as part of its plan to fight cancer.

The European Commission said its proposal comes in response to a significant increase in the volume of such products sold across the 27-nation bloc.

A recent commission study showed a 10% increase in sales of heated tobacco products in more than five member nations, while heated tobacco products exceeded 2.5 % of total sales of tobacco products overall across the region.

The ban would not cover all vaping devices, only those delivering heated tobacco. Many e-cigarettes only contain nicotine.

"With nine out of 10 lung cancers caused by tobacco, we want to make smoking as unattractive as possible to protect the health of our citizens and save lives,'' said Stella Kyriakides, the commissioner for health and food safety.

According to EU figures, cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the bloc of 450 million residents. There are about 1.3 million cancer deaths and 3.5 million new cases per year in the EU.

An estimated 40% of EU citizens will face cancer at some point in their lives, with an annual economic impact estimated around 100 billion euros ($120 billion).

The European Commission previously said it wanted to ensure that less than 5% of the population uses tobacco by 2040.

The ban's proposal now goes to member nations and European Parliament lawmakers for review.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is recalling a number of different Enjoy Life brand bakery products because they may contain pieces of plastic.

The recall covers Enjoy Life Soft Baked Cookies in Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chip and Double Chocolate Brownie flavours, Enjoy Life Chewy Bars — Chocolate Chip and Caramel and Enjoy Life Breakfast Ovals in Berry Medley and Chocolate Chip and Banana flavours.

The affected products were sold in 165g, 170g and 250g packages, with best before dates between Jan. 18 and Mar. 12, 2023.

The baked goods were sold nationally and online.

There have been no reported injuries linked to the products, and customers are being told to either throw them out, or return them to where they were purchased

The recall was triggered by a similar order in another country, and the CFIA says it is conducting a food safety investigation that could lead to the recall of other products.

- The Canadian Press

After a two-year hiatus, 7-Eleven Day is back this summer at 7-Eleven Canada .

On July 11th, customers are bring invited to visit their nearest 7-Eleven Canada location for a free small Slurpee or spend $20 on 7NOW for free Slurpee and delivery.

To mark the occasion, 7-Eleven is also dropping a new feature flavour – the Crush Cactus Catapult. Available now until the end of summer, the new flavour is a blend of orange and pineapple taste.

The Crush Cactus Catapult joins a full lineup of exclusive Slurpee flavour offerings – Frog Water, Blueberry Yuzu Lemonade, Orange Pineapple, and Dragon Fruit – only from Slurpee and at 7-Eleven Canada throughout summer.

“This is the biggest celebration of the year, and we’ve been eagerly preparing to bring the event back to our stores after two years of celebrating from a distance,” says Norman Hower, VP & GM of 7-Eleven Canada. “7-Eleven Day is a tradition for our customers so we’re incredibly excited to invite them to grab a refreshingly delicious Slurpee on us on our birthday."

In keeping with traditions, Manitoba has been crowned the Slurpee Capital of the World once again.

As part of the Slurpee Day comeback, 7-Eleven Canada is giving away seven prizes for one million 7Rewards points with the 7Rewards points bonanza – that’s equal to 1,000 free slurpee drinks or redeem points from a menu of free snacks, meals and drinks. 

OTTAWA - The annual inflation rate skyrocketed to its highest level in nearly 40 years in May, fuelled by soaring gas prices, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.

The agency said its consumer price index in May rose 7.7% compared with a year ago, its largest increase since January 1983 when it gained 8.2% and up from a 6.8% increase in April this year.

The gain came as energy prices rose 34.8% compared with a year ago with gasoline prices up 48.0% compared with a year ago.

Statistics Canada said crude oil prices rose in May due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as increased demand as travel continued to grow in response to eased COVID-19 restrictions.

Excluding gasoline, the annual inflation rate in May rose to 6.3% compared with 5.8% in April.

The rising inflation rate comes as the Bank of Canada works to bring it back under control.

The average of the three core measures of inflation that are closely watched by the Bank of Canada rose to 4.73% in May compared with 4.43% in April.

The central bank has raised its key interest rate target three times so far this year to bring it to 1.5% and said that it is prepared to "act more forcefully'' if needed, leading to speculation by economists that it could raise rates by three-quarters of a percentage point next month.

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its key rate by three-quarters of a percentage point last week after the inflation report for May in the U.S. showed prices up 8.6% from a year ago.

TD Bank managing director Leslie Preston said a generation of Canadians is experiencing high inflation for the first time.

"If you aren't over 40, you have never lived through inflation like this, and unfortunately, we are not expecting much of a reprieve going forward,'' Preston wrote in a report. "All of this reinforces the view that the Bank of Canada will hike by 75 basis points on July 13, following in the Fed's footsteps.''

Statistics Canada said the price for food bought at stores rose 9.7% compared with a year ago, matching the April increase, as the cost of nearly everything in the grocery cart went higher.

The cost of edible fats and oils gained 30.0% compared with a year ago, its largest increase on record, mainly driven by higher prices for cooking oils. Fresh vegetable prices rose 10.3%.

The cost of services in May rose 5.2% compared with a year ago, up from a gain of 4.6% in April, as Canadians travelled and ate in restaurants more often.

Prices for traveller accommodation gained 40.2% compared with a year ago, while the price of food purchased from restaurants gained 6.8%.

-The Canadian Press

TORONTO - Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and food delivery company DoorDash Inc. today announced a collaboration that introduces a rapid grocery delivery service to customers in Canada.

Starting in August, customers in some Canadian cities, including Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, will be able to order select items from Loblaw for delivery in 30 minutes or less.

The items can be ordered by selecting PC Express rapid delivery through the DoorDash app.

Starting in July, customers will also be able to order items from all Loblaw banner stores, including Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore and Shoppers Drug Mart, for delivery through DoorDash.

Loblaw already has a grocery delivery partnership with Instacart.

The agreement comes as DoorDash's share price on the New York Stock Exchange has tumbled more than 60 per cent from its November high.

Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

-The Canadian Press