'No need to panic': Distribution expert responds to Premier Kenney's food supply 'crisis' concerns
While food supply issues have been an ongoing challenge for many Alberta grocery stores, the issue gained exposure when the premier shared photos of empty shelves.
Premier Jason Kenney posted photos of bare shelves in an undisclosed grocery store on Monday morning, saying he's worried that new border restrictions for truckers are exacerbating the problem.
Dozens of people responded by posting photos of Calgary and Edmonton grocery stores with full or nearly full shelves of food.
Sylvain Charlebois, a researcher and professor in food distribution and food policy at Dalhousie University, says the issue isn't new and some stores have seen empty shelves for months due to supply chain fatigue.
He says food supply worries are primarily a result of the rapid transmission rate of the Omicron variant, not vaccine mandates.
"The vaccine mandate is being pointed at as being a factor, but right now, it's just too early to tell if it is having an impact on our food access as a nation," said Charlebois in an interview with CTV Morning Live Calgary.
"In the end, consumers may have a huge impact on our supply chain if we see the panic buying that we saw in March of 2020. It could actually make matters worse."
Kenney added that he is in talks with several U.S. Governors to write a joint letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden calling for an end to vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers.
Charlebois says 'weaponizing' pictures that show empty shelves will not help the current situation and impending price increases, not potential food shortages, should be of significant concern for Albertans.
"I'm in Florida right now, and to truck anything into Canada, the cost has doubled compared to ten days ago because there are fewer truckers available," explained Charlebois.
"Food inflation is going to be an issue this year for sure, and the vaccine mandate will likely be a contributing factor."
Canada imports significant quantities of food from the U.S., and food supply issues are a common occurrence in Alberta and across the country every winter.
Charlebois says people may encounter some empty shelves on occasion, but any void in the aisle will likely be short-lived.
"Chances are if you see an empty shelf, a few days later, you will go back to that grocery store, and you will find what you were looking for. There's no need to panic," said Charlebois.
"But I should mention, right now a lot of products entering stores aren't as fresh as they used to be. So if you buy a week or two of food, you may end up wasting a lot at home."
Charlebois encourages Albertans to limit big shopping trips in favour of multiple grocery store visits each week, as shopping for two or three days at a time will limit food waste and save money.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.