Truck convoys not the main reason behind some supply shortages: experts
Despite a food distribution and policy professor saying Thursdays are not among the busiest for grocery stores, the number of buggies rolling down the aisles was up at one Barrie supermarket.
The store owner believes this is part of a reaction to fears over food shortages after photos surfaced showing gaps in inventory in recent weeks.
"In most cases, what we're seeing is a delay of product and not a shortage of product," says Michelle Wasylyshen, Retail Council of Canada. "We really want to make it clear that grocers have plenty of goods to provide to consumers. "
Canadian researcher Sylvain Charlebois is also calling for calm.
"You've got yourself some empty shelves here and there, sporadically. But you are not going to be running out of food anytime soon."
Experts say the food supply chain is facing several challenges, including snowstorms, strikes, product recalls, and employees sidelined by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
"Producers, processors, packagers, wholesalers, distributors, right up to the retail grocery store. They've all had huge labour shortages because of Omicron," explains Gary Sands, Senior Vice President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.
Sands says a truck convoy snaking its way across the country in protest of vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers is compounding existing problems.
Charlebois, Wasylyshen, and Sands plead with shoppers to resist falling into bad habits from the early days of the pandemic.
"We can't have a resumption of panic buying. That just helps no one and hurts everyone," Sands says.
"Be patient, be kind. Look for substitutions alternatives if possible or if there's a specific ingredient that they're looking for, perhaps they come back to the store in a day or two," Wasylyshen suggests.
Grocery prices are expected to rise as a result of added pressure on the supply chain, including from higher freight costs.
On Monday, Canada's Transport Minister is scheduled to host a summit to discuss supply chain issues.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Jury selection in Trump hush money trial faces pivotal stretch as former U.S. president returns to court
Jury selection in the hush money trial of Donald Trump enters a pivotal and potentially final stretch Thursday as lawyers look to round out the panel of New Yorkers that will decide the first-ever criminal case against a former president.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.