For the past 20 years, Canadian polls have consistently shown that consumers want mandatory labels on genetically modified (GM) foods. On May 5, parliament will be debating on Private Member’s Bill C-291, which will establish these regulations if passed.

The bill, which will be voted on in the early weeks of May, is “An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (genetically modified food)” and simply states “No person shall sell any food that is genetically modified unless its label contains the information prescribed under paragraph 30(1)‍(b.‍2).”

Currently, there is no mandatory labeling of GMO foods in Canada despite intensive public campaigning. Instead, a national standard for voluntary labeling was established. Sixty-four other countries around the world have some type of mandatory labeling GM food law, including China, the European Union, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and Russia. Bill C-291 aims to add Canada into the mix.

“The purpose of the bill is simple: to obtain more transparent information on the labels of food that is consumed in Canada because Canadians have the right to know in detail what they consume,” says Pierre-Luc Dusseault, the NDP MP for Sherbrooke, Quebec. “That is why I introduced Bill C-291.”

Luckily, there are actions you can take to help ensure the passing of this bill. The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) has created an online, automatic messaging system for retailers and consumers to get in touch with local MPs. To contact your MP about Bill C-291, click here.

To learn about other actions you can take, check out CBAN’s Bill C-291 Action Kit. CBAN also has store signage, posters, and additional information about this initiative for retailers and practitioners.

“Labelling GM foods will make things so much more simple for consumers, companies, and retailers alike,” adds Lucy Sharratt, co-ordinator for CBAN. “Moreover, having consumer input and support from Canadian businesses will be extremely influential in this case.”

To make your voice heard, take action—your work could have important long-term implications.

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the McKesson Showcase 360 event. Here, we were able to view and learn about a variety of outstanding and innovative products in the natural health and beauty categories.

See below for some of our favourite products and services that were showcased at the event:

NOOR Vitamins

Halal-certified, Canada-produced, and naturally sourced, this line of vitamins offers something new to an already burgeoning market. The brand is also a supporter of Vitamin Angels, a non-profit organization that provides supplements to at-risk populations, meaning this is a purchase any consumer can feel good about.

Daniele Henkel

Specializing in complete business solutions, non-surgical aesthetic training, and medical equipment, Daniele Henkel is revolutionizing the way practitioners—and consumers—view wellness. In the aging, nutrition, and weight-loss categories, Henkel is the go-to for innovative products and equipment.

NeWave Smart Shelf

An RF-based company, NeWave focuses on creating products that identify On Shelf Availability in real time. Its Smart Shelf product offers in-store replenishment notifications, and monitors real-time movement of product on the shelf. It also offers real data on SKU velocity and bottlenecks, allowing retailers to understand their inventory more thoroughly than ever before.

Canada is home to some of the finest minds working in health research today—researchers who are creating new scientific knowledge, strengthening the health care system, and improving the health of Canadians and others around the world. 
 
Today, CIHR is pleased to announce the names of the four outstanding researchers who are the recipients of the inaugural CIHR Gold Leaf Prizes, which recognize excellence in health research and its translation into benefits for Canadians.
“Canadians should be proud of the health researchers currently at work in their country who are conducting research that has the power to change lives,” says Roderick McInnes, CM, MD, PhD, FRSC, acting president of CIHR. “The four winners of the CIHR Gold Leaf Prizes are shining examples of the dedication, hard work and excellence which characterize our research community.”
 
Dr. John Dick is the recipient of the CIHR Gold Leaf Prize for Discovery, in recognition of his pioneering work as the first scientist to identify cancer stem cells. A professor at the University of Toronto, Dr. Dick’s research holds the promise for improved treatments and quality of life for cancer patients.
 
The CIHR Gold Leaf Prize for Impact goes to the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, in acknowledgement of the organization’s 25 years of providing care and treatment for those living with HIV, educating health professionals, and promoting evidence-based policy to protect people from the virus.
 
Dr. Gregory Steinberg is the recipient of the CIHR Gold Leaf Prize for Outstanding Achievements by an Early Career Investigator. A professor at McMaster University, Dr. Steinberg’s work on understanding, at the molecular level, how obesity causes type 2 diabetes and the role that nutrition and exercise play in maintaining good health, shows enormous promise for the more than 10 million Canadians who have diabetes or are at high risk of developing the disease. 
 
Finally, the CIHR Gold Leaf Prize for Transformation: Patient Engagement goes to Dr. Charlotte Loppie, for her continued dedication to bringing Indigenous peoples into research projects that touch their lives, with the goal of empowering communities, building research-capacity and tackling the health disparities faced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Dr. Loppie is a professor at the University of Victoria. 
“I offer my sincere congratulations to the four recipients of the CIHR Gold Leaf Prizes,” says Jane Philpott, Minister of Health. “From cancer and HIV/AIDS to diabetes and the health disparities facing our Indigenous peoples, your research tackles some of the most pressing health challenges facing Canada. By providing the evidence to inform government policy, your research is contributing to improved health and well-being for all Canadians.”
 
The winners will receive their medals at a recognition ceremony to be held later this year. 

According to an inside source, Amazon considered a takeover of Whole Foods Market last fall. However, the possible bidder didn’t pursue a deal.

Amazon originally thought that Whole Foods would be able to further its push into the grocery business. Bloomberg notes that while Whole Foods’ market valuation of $10.7 million would be “an outsized acquisition” for Amazon, it would indeed turn the company into an instant grocery giant.

After Bloomberg reported this news, shares of Whole Foods jumped as much as 4.3 per cent in early trading.

What’s more, Jana Partners, a Whole Foods investor, has called for Whole Foods to consider a sale. Potential bidders include Amazon, Kroger Co., and Albertsons Cos. Despite Whole Foods’s recent sales slump and heavy competition from other supermarkets, the company is still an attractive asset—even more so if it improves its internal operations.

Starting April 19, some of Walmart’s online-only items will cost less if buyers pick them up in-store. This move comes as a bid to make shopping there more appealing than at Amazon.

Their new program is called Pickup Discount. Walmart says that by relying on its existing fleet of delivery trucks, it can save money and pass savings onto customers.

This method of good delivery rivals Amazon’s Pickup option, which is currently unavailable for the general public. With this new service, Walmart puts itself squarely above its e-tail competitor. Free 2-day shipping is also available, making this an extremely attractive option for individuals that live close to a Walmart store.

When the program launches, it will cover around 10,000 items. That number will expand to cover one million items in June.

From April 10-16, homeopaths and supporters around the world will celebrate World Homeopathy Awareness Week.

The celebration begins on Dr. Samuel Hahnemann’s birthday, as he is the founder of the practice. Over the course of the week, free public events such as lectures, media interviews, volunteer first-aid at sports events, free & reduced clinics, written materials, pieces on Twitter and Facebook, publication articles and much more will be shared in over 40 countries.

With this event, the World Homeopathy Awareness Organization hopes to educate the public about homeopathic medicine, resulting in wider acceptance for the practice. The theme of this year’s event is “Homeopathy for Seniors.”

This year is the 13th edition of the week-long celebration. For more information about this week’s international events, visit http://www.worldhomeopathy.org/index.php.

Moreover, across Canada, Canadian Society of Homeopaths (CSH) members are available to share information and answer questions about homeopathy at a variety of Homeopathy Awareness Month events. To view the list of Canadian events, click here.

CIBC and Deloitte have named Vince’s Market one of Canada’s 45 Best Managed Companies.

This recognition is the country’s leading business awards program. It celebrates excellence in privately-owned Canadian companies with revenues over $15 million.

“It was quite an intense application, but with the amount of planning and effort our team has put into our stores over the last few years, we felt it was time to benchmark our organizational goals with the rest of the country,” says Giancarlo Trimarchi, partner, CFO and controller of Vince’s Market.

Vince’s Market started as a small roadside fruit and vegetable stand, and has now grown to a small chain of community-oriented grocery stores. The company focuses on offering a personal, fresh shopping experience.

Currently, the company has three locations in Sharon, Uxbridge, and Newmarket, Ontario. This fall, it will open a fourth location in Tottenham, Ontario.