AGP Executive Report

Pharmacare Access: Manitoba pharmacists can now prescribe and administer birth control, with training required and the province saying the change improves access “closer to home,” while doctors warn they need clarity on follow-up and complication monitoring. Food Recall: Health Canada/CFIA flagged a Veggie Chips (Broccoli Florets & Cauliflower) recall in Ontario and online due to undeclared gluten. Retail Buzz: Canadian Tire’s Heated Rivalry tote became a fast-selling collector item after a viral photo of star Hudson Williams, driving a reported 30x jump in typical sales. Jobs & Consumer Mood: Canada added 75,100 jobs in July and unemployment fell to 6.4%, a two-year low—good news for household spending confidence. Trade Talks: Canada and the U.S. are reportedly discussing a tariff-relief swap that could include bringing back U.S. alcohol and adjusting dairy quota rules, with steel/aluminum relief on the table. Crypto Safety: A U.S. firm is gathering victims of the Coinkite Coldcard hack, with Canadian users reportedly making up over a quarter of losses so far. Energy Storage: Peak Energy picked Sacramento for a $71M sodium-ion battery plant, aiming for early-2027 production.

Retail & Grocery Expansion: T&T Supermarket is set to open its first Manitoba location in Winnipeg (CF Polo Park) in spring 2028, a 48,000 sq-ft Asian grocery push. Big-Box Grocery Watch: Costco reported July sales up 4.2% in Canada. Food Retail Moves: Save-On-Foods opened in Clearwater, B.C., and Super C in Lavaltrie, Que. expanded to a larger footprint; IGA is also returning to Edmonton Aug. 20. Corporate Food Sector: Canada Packers posted a Q2 loss of $28.4M. Direct-to-Consumer Alcohol: Canada’s new DTC alcohol agreement may open doors for producers, but grocers expect little change at checkout. Bankruptcy/Consumer Retail: QVC Group completed its Chapter 11 restructuring, cutting debt by $5B+, adding $600M credit, and naming Mike George interim CEO as it re-lists on Nasdaq as QVCG. Consumer Safety Recall: Over 1.7M attic stairway ladders were recalled in the U.S.; about 13,054 units were sold in Canada. Health Coverage for Newcomers: Canada reinstated full coverage for some refugee health items, but doctors say gaps remain for many needs.

Canada–U.S. Trade Tension: Prime Minister Mark Carney says negotiations have turned “nasty” after Trump’s remarks and tariff threats, with talks framed around protecting Canadian jobs and businesses. Retail & Consumer Impact: Costco Canada’s July sales rose 4.2%, while multiple recalls hit shoppers (including mould-risk Alfa croissants and other Costco items), keeping food-safety top of mind. Food Supply & Health: A U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak is leaving some lettuce unharvested, and Canadian lettuce growers are reportedly operating at a loss as demand shifts. Corporate Deal Watch: The UK cleared Paramount’s $81B Warner Bros. Discovery takeover after commitments, a big media consolidation story with knock-on effects for streaming and content. Payments for Travellers: GLN International is expanding QR payments for foreign tourists in Korea, adding Canadian users via major banking and fintech apps. Business Growth in Canada: Kirin plans to buy Jamieson Wellness for C$2.5B, signaling continued interest in Canadian supplements. Community & Everyday Life: Walmart and Keurig are teaming up on a Red Cross donation campaign in Canada, linking a common purchase to disaster relief.

Retail Watch: Costco Canada reported July net sales of $23.12B (up from $20.89B a year ago), with comparable sales up 4.2% in Canada and digital sales rising 17.7%; the retailer runs 115 warehouses in Canada. Grocery Expansion: T&T Supermarket plans its first Manitoba store—an approx. 48,000 sq. ft. location at CF Polo Park in Winnipeg—tentatively opening in spring 2028, with online shopping starting now via the T&T app and website. Car Wash Growth: Tommy’s Express named new franchise development directors for Canada (Kim Chohan) and Europe (Kristijonas Minelga), aiming for two Canadian locations by end of 2026. Public Sector Spending: Ontario is launching reviews of eight large public agencies, including Metrolinx and the LCBO, to assess efficiency and productivity. Food & Consumer Safety: RCMP warned of a fraud scheme targeting heavy-duty trucking suppliers after phone orders used fraudulent credit cards, with payments later failing. Health/Wellness: Kellogg says it will remove artificial dyes from cereals by the end of this year, using fruit- and vegetable-based juices for colour.

Housing Watch: Holborn Group says Little Mountain’s 282-unit social housing build is on track for 100% completion by fall/end of 2026, with BC Housing set to take most units and the City of Vancouver the rest. Weather & Insurance: A June storm across Manitoba and Saskatchewan is driving at least $840M in insured losses, with hail, flooding and tornado damage cited—IBCs warns more “catastrophic” events since 2021 are likely to pressure future premiums. Food Safety: Health Canada/CFIA recall alert: Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo bars are being pulled over undeclared pistachios; and a separate recall hits Oreo candy bars in Canada due to undeclared tree nuts. Consumer Finance: CRA guidance on fixing TFSA overcontributions emphasizes withdrawing excess fast, since tax can rack up at 1% per month of the highest excess amount. Retail/Convenience: Toronto police report 546 arrests and 4,000+ charges in a major retail theft crackdown, underscoring ongoing pressure on shoppers and stores. Tech & Shopping: OnePlus has sold out of core devices on its official sites in the US/Canada/Mexico, signaling the brand’s exit is effectively complete. Business/CPG: Beyond Meat says Q2 revenue fell 8% but beat guidance, with international retail (including Canada) helping offset weaker US foodservice demand.

EPR & Household Hazardous Waste: Vermont’s Household Hazardous Product Stewardship Program is getting operational muscle as Reverse Logistics Group (RLG) rolls out PRO Support Services, including outreach to obligated manufacturers and manufacturer billing support—another sign Canada’s product-stewardship rules are tightening. Grocery & Dairy Trends: Canadian dairy brands are leaning into lactose-free and easier-to-digest formats, while some shoppers are shifting back toward animal-based dairy for taste and tolerance. Beef Pricing Pressure: Charlebois argues cheaper Australian beef may be less of a threat than it looks—at least temporarily—because high Canadian beef prices are already pushing consumers to other proteins. Retail & Public Spending Scrutiny: Ontario is reviewing eight major public agencies (including Metrolinx and the LCBO) for efficiency and productivity. Wildfire Insurance Help: With BC wildfires ongoing, the Insurance Bureau of Canada is urging residents to contact insurers when ready and has launched a V-CAMP helpline for claim-start guidance. Tariffs Hitting the Checkout: A KPMG survey finds most Canadian businesses have adjusted prices due to tariff costs, with many passing some or all of the hit to consumers. Food Safety Recalls: Multiple Listeria-linked cheese recalls are in the mix, keeping shoppers and retailers on alert.

Food Safety Recall: CFIA is warning Alberta shoppers not to eat Highline Organic Mini Bella Mushrooms – Sliced (454 g; UPC 7 71163 00048 9; code 199AHMCF) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, with no illnesses reported yet. Beauty Safety Watch: New peer-reviewed reviews say lip cosmetics safety testing has major gaps across Canada and other markets, including underestimating how much people ingest/absorb from lip products. Retail & Consumer Tech: Samsung says Samsung Wallet will support native stablecoins, but the issuer, network, custody setup, and launch details are still undisclosed. Local Housing: Vancouver’s Little Mountain social housing project finally opens a city-owned building with 48 units, including shelter-rate and below-market rents. Consumer Finance Event: Canada FinTech Symposium Alberta 2026 returns to Calgary Oct. 7–8 to tackle real-time payments, open banking, AI, and digital assets. Market/Business Moves: Gran Tierra Energy agreed to sell its Colombia and Ecuador business to Maurel & Prom for $1.33B, repositioning for fully financed growth.

Executive Moves (Consumer Health): Haleon Canada named Daniela Cavinatto general manager for its Canada division, tasking her with growing brands like Advil, Sensodyne and Centrum. Food & Beverage Safety: Hershey Canada issued a voluntary recall of certain Hershey’s Kisses products in Canada due to undeclared almonds, asking retailers to pull affected lots from shelves. Retail & Policy (Alcohol): A new Direct-to-Consumer alcohol sales agreement signed by nine provinces may open more ordering options for wineries, breweries and distilleries, but independent grocers expect most shoppers to keep buying beer and wine at grocery checkout. Sustainability & Packaging: The Reusable Packaging Association is bringing its Reusable Packaging Pavilion back to PACK EXPO (Oct. 18–21, 2026), adding a “Next-Gen Reuse Corridor” focused on reuse and refill. Consumer Spending (Travel/Events): Visa data says FIFA World Cup match days boosted spending in Toronto (up to 24.6%) and Vancouver (up to 12.7%). Agri-Food Investment: PrairiesCan announced $10M+ for nine Saskatchewan projects spanning processing, packaging, and livestock upgrades. Air Quality: Environment Canada issued a wildfire smoke air-quality warning for Chilliwack and nearby areas, urging people to limit outdoor activity.

Retail & Foodservice Expansion: Jollibee keeps pushing in North America, opening a new San Francisco location (opened July 31) that brings its U.S. and Canada footprint to 100+ stores, riding broader mainstream appeal and menu/value momentum. Food Safety: A multistate Cyclospora outbreak has now produced the first known U.S. deaths, with Michigan reporting 2 deaths and 11,234 cases tied to likely contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce. Consumer Goods & Packaging: Dhaval Packaging’s SME IPO allotment is set to be finalized today ahead of an Aug. 6 BSE SME debut; the firm makes plastic packaging for FMCG, food and pharma. Energy & Household Costs: BP reported Q2 profits more than doubling, beating estimates, while noting operational reliability issues—another reminder how energy performance can ripple into everyday prices. Trade & Tariffs: A coalition of 25 U.S. states sued to block Trump forced-labour tariffs on EU and nearly 60 countries, arguing costs will hit American consumers and businesses. Canadian Angle (Cross-Border): Commentary highlights how Canadian liquor pricing can stay higher than U.S. prices due to interprovincial trade barriers.

Food Safety & Recalls: Health Canada warned about recalled epoxy resin kits, and Hershey’s Kisses were recalled in Canada over undeclared almonds/nut-allergy concerns, adding to a busy week of consumer product alerts. Child Safety: Experts are pushing for action on children’s flotation devices, arguing some lack clear safety warnings and may increase drowning risk. Nutrition Research: New research challenges decades of low-fat dairy advice, finding full-fat dairy can be consumed in moderate amounts without harmful effects on weight or blood lipids. Back-to-School Shopping: Instacart data shows a surge in lunchbox-friendly snacks and variety packs as school season ramps up. Retail & Travel Deals: Starbucks Canada confirmed its Pumpkin Spice Latte return for Aug. 25, while Marriott reported Q2 results and RevPAR growth in the U.S. & Canada. Canadian Consumer Economy: Canada’s GDP grew 0.3% in May, and RBC trimmed forecasts for JD Sports amid softer brand momentum. Tech & Home: A guide shows how to use Alexa as a phone for calls in Canada, and a separate report highlights rising RAM/storage costs for gaming PCs tied to AI data-centre demand.

Food Safety & Recalls: Hershey’s Canada issued a voluntary recall of certain Hershey’s Kisses Creamy Milk Chocolate (200g and 104g) over undeclared almonds/tree nuts, urging shoppers to check affected lots. Retail Expansion: Calgary electrical contractor Colz Electric opened a new southeast facility, relaunched its website, and upgraded service procedures as it expands coverage across the city and surrounding areas. Pet Products Growth: Canadian premium pet-food maker Open Farm is eyeing its next phase of growth, highlighting continued demand for full-diet nutrition even as some consumers cut back on discretionary pet spending. Crypto Security: Canadian-made Coldcard hardware wallets were linked to a firmware flaw that attackers exploited to drain about $89M in bitcoin across thousands of wallets, prompting urgent user warnings. Payments & Fintech: WasabiCard is showcasing global payment infrastructure at ChinaJoy 2026, pitching cross-border card issuing and payouts for digital businesses. Travel/Entertainment Business: Universal Music is testing a 72-hour paid-first release model in India, a potential template for North America and Europe later.

Food Safety Recalls: Health Canada is warning Canadians to stop using certain epoxy resin kits sold on Amazon.ca because they’re missing required safety and hazard labels; affected sizes include 1L, 2L and 3.74L, and consumers should dispose of them via local hazardous waste. Allergen Alert: The CFIA has issued a Canada-wide recall for Hershey’s Kisses Creamy Milk Chocolate (104 g and 200 g) due to undeclared almonds, with one reported reaction; affected shoppers should not eat the product and should return or throw it out. Consumer Policy Watch: Canada’s August 2026 legal and rule changes roll out across student aid, private colleges, banking, cosmetics, tobacco, pet-food imports and more—potentially affecting everyday shoppers and newcomers. Retail/Deals: Mares is running “Dive Into Summer: Free Snorkel on Us” through Aug. 31, offering a free snorkel when customers buy eligible Mares masks and fins from participating authorized retailers (online marketplaces don’t qualify). Tech & Entertainment: Rockstar is giving GTA Online players a free $1 million reward for logging in and playing Aug. 6–12, plus extra GTA$ and community mission bonuses. Energy Costs Reality Check: A commentary warns that removing “system loss” charges won’t necessarily lower electricity bills, since costs may reappear under other rate components.

Food Recall: Health Canada’s CFIA issued a recall for Hershey’s Kisses – Creamy Milk Chocolate due to undeclared almond (tree nut allergen), distributed nationally. Trade & Prices: The U.S. imposed a 12.5% tariff on imports from Norway, warning it could hurt Norwegian seafood competitiveness versus Canada and other suppliers still facing lower rates. Legal/Consumer Safety: Johnson & Johnson agreed to a proposed $5.5B settlement covering about 76,000 remaining ovarian cancer claims tied to talc products, though it still denies wrongdoing. Retail & Consumer Tech: LEGO and The Pokémon Company launched 17 new LEGO Pokémon sets (including Smart Play compatible kits) for fans in Canada and beyond. Canadian Food Supply: Maple Leaf Foods recalled not-ready-to-eat bacon imported without required reinspection, adding to a busy week of grocery recall alerts. Housing/Construction Materials: Canada’s mass timber push is getting attention for both speed and fire-safety improvements, with new wood-heavy builds highlighted in Toronto. Automotive Demand: Hyundai Motor America reported record July sales, with hybrid demand driving growth—an indicator of what Canadian shoppers may see in the next model year.

Hearing Tech Launch: Certus Hearing rolled out Certus One, a discreet in-canal, rechargeable OTC hearing aid aimed at adults with mild-to-moderate loss, with speech-focused processing and a 90-day home trial. Home Safety: A Canadian company, Life Assure, promoted in-home emergency call buttons as a simple way for older adults to stay independent, with monitoring available in Canada only. Travel Convenience: Uber expanded in Canada with direct hotel booking in the app via Expedia Group, pushing “go, get, and now travel” into one place. Consumer Safety Recalls: U.S. regulators flagged multiple dangerous products, including OCOOPA rechargeable lithium-ion hand warmers tied to overheating, fires, and injuries, plus other heated and battery-related items. Brand/Shopping Watch: Costco Canada issued recalls for items including pastries/snacks and other products, urging shoppers to check affected lots. Luxury/Tech Dispute: Disney+ Premium in parts of Europe lost 4K and HDR for some users amid an ongoing patent fight, even as subscription pricing stayed the same. Canadian Food Policy: Ottawa marked Food Day Canada 2026 and highlighted investments tied to food security and strengthening local food systems.

Airport Privatization Debate: A new argument says selling major Canadian airports could bankroll a Quebec-led high-speed rail plan, raising questions about whether it’s a “good deal” or just a way to shift costs. Grocery Retail Expansion: Loblaw’s first California T&T Supermarket (San Jose) opened in June and reportedly set the highest first-week sales record for any Loblaw store, with value banners (Maxi/No Frills) also outperforming. Food Safety Recalls: Maple Leaf Foods recalled about 12,036 pounds of not-ready-to-eat smoked bacon imported from Canada without U.S. reinspection, distributed to Grocery Outlet in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. AI Transparency Consultation: Ottawa is asking Canadians what meaningful AI transparency should look like, including whether people can tell if they’re interacting with AI and how to flag serious AI incidents. Food Security Strategy: A critique of Canada’s new food security plan says tech and infrastructure won’t help without better farmer advisory support to adopt new tools. Tech & Consumer Markets: Tesla’s China operations are reportedly being considered for a split as part of broader corporate moves. Travel & Consumer Tips: A travel guide warns hotel guests not to leave passports/IDs visible, recommending safes to reduce identity theft risk. Blood Supply Alert: Canadian Blood Services says blood supply is down 20% since early June and is urging donations as summer demand rises.

Tariffs & Trade: Canada will impose a temporary 25% surtax on some wood cabinets and vanities while a tribunal probe runs (up to 200 days), with U.S./Mexico/Israel/Chile and developing-nation goods exempt. Retail Recalls: Costco Canada recalled Alfa croissants (possible mould) and Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo bars (possible undeclared pistachio allergen). Convenience Retail Deal: Alimentation Couche-Tard agreed to buy Poland’s Żabka Group for about $8.6B US, expanding its Central/Eastern Europe footprint. Streaming Watch: JustWatch data shows Netflix and Prime Video tied for top use in Canada (22% each), with Disney+ close behind (20%). Auto Retail Fraud Tech: Autocorp.ai is waiving its $399/month platform fee for select Canadian franchise dealers, pitching faster, lender-ready identity checks. Economy: StatCan says real GDP rose 0.3% in May and points to a 3.4% annualized Q2 rebound.