In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast , hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois take on some of the hottest topics, shaking up the Canadian food industry. There's plenty to discuss, from McDonald's latest attempt to crack the plant-based market with a new veggie burger to the disruptive impact of China's tariffs on Canadian seafood and agricultural products. Kicking off the episode, Michael and Sylvain dissect McDonald's surprising re-entry into the plant-based space after previous failures. They debate whether the new veggie burger will finally resonate with consumers or if it's another attempt destined to fizzle out. As one of Canada's biggest beef buyers, McDonald's faces a delicate balance between satisfying traditional customers and appealing to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives. Next, they turn their attention to China's tariffs on Canadian seafood and other agricultural exports, which pressure producers and create economic uncertainty. The hosts discuss how Canada's food export strategy is being tested and why policymakers seem more focused on protecting the automotive sector than agriculture despite the latter's massive economic footprint. Amid these challenges, the episode spotlights new leadership in agriculture. Canada has a new federal Minister of Agriculture, Kody Blois from Nova Scotia, and Ontario has appointed Trevor Jones as its new Minister of Agriculture. Sylvain shares insights on how Blois's background as chair of the Agriculture Committee could bring a pragmatic approach to the role. At the same time, Jones's rural roots could positively shape Ontario's agricultural landscape. The hosts debate what priorities these ministers should address first, especially given the ongoing trade disputes and the economic pressure on Canadian farmers. In the second half of the episode, the hosts welcome Michel Gagné, CEO of WeCook, to the show. Michel shares his journey from managing primary Cargill and Maple Leaf food operations to leading one of Canada's top fresh meal delivery services. He discusses how WeCook differentiates itself by offering fully prepared, high-quality meals rather than meal kits, making busy weeknight dinners simple and convenient. WeCook's strategy includes local sourcing and a commitment to freshness, with meals made daily and delivered to customers within just a few days. Michel also discusses challenges like price volatility in ingredients—especially chicken—and how the company has become profitable while maintaining its quality standards. He highlights the importance of brand partnerships, like working with chef Gabrielle Drapeau and ambassador P.K. Subban, to build credibility and expand into new markets. The episode concludes with Michael and Sylvain reflecting on how the food industry can innovate in the face of global trade issues, shifting consumer preferences, and evolving political landscapes. Whether you're interested in food policy, fresh meal innovation, or how Canadian companies adapt to the times, this episode delivers fresh insights with every bite. https://www.spraguefoods.com/ The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About Us Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability. He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star. Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has
