'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
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
LIVE SOON Honda expected to announce Ontario EV battery plant, part of a $15B investment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Honda executives are expected to announce today that the Japanese automaker is building an electric vehicle battery plant in Alliston, Ont., part of a $15-billion investment.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'