Roger-Luc Chayer (Photos: Groupe Gay Globe)
Economic War and Retaliation
As part of the economic war declared by U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada has announced a series of retaliatory measures that will have significant economic repercussions, both domestically and in the United States.
Without waiting for the implementation of U.S. tariff measures, many Canadians, Mexicans, and European Union citizens have started boycotting American products, regardless of their nature. The effects are already visible, notably with a 50% drop in Tesla sales in several European countries. In Quebec and Canada, the food industry is also experiencing very concrete consequences.
Last week, in a branch of a major Canadian grocery chain, there were almost no fruits or vegetables left on the shelves. When questioned by a concerned customer, an employee responded that everything had been thrown away because the products were no longer selling and were rotting. The clerk also added that the chain was waiting for shipments from Europe and Mexico to restock the shelves.
Labeling Fraud
Whenever we talk about humans, we talk about human errors, and it’s no different when money is involved. To cheat, some American producers do not hesitate to manipulate packaging labels to deceive consumers. For example, the day before yesterday, I bought two bags of romaine lettuce at another major grocery chain in Montreal. As I regularly do, I checked the product’s origin before purchasing it—nothing American should enter my home.
However, feeling proud of once again avoiding an American company, I examined the bag more closely once I got home and realized I had been deceived. Since this purchase was made under false representations, I consider myself a victim of fraud.
False Information on Packaging
On the front of the salad packaging, I had clearly seen the label: PRODUCT OF MEXICO in both French and English. However, when I looked at the back of the package, I discovered, in small print at the bottom, the following statement: Grown, packed, and shipped by HARVEST TEK INC., Herber, California, UNITED STATES!
Well, that’s a good one! Product of Mexico on one side, but grown, packed, and shipped from the United States on the other. This is clearly a tactic by the producing company to mislead consumers and attempt to bypass the national boycott, which, it must be said, is working wonderfully.
What Is the Definition of Fraud in Canada?
Fraud, according to the Canadian Criminal Code, refers to the act of deceiving a person or the public to gain a material advantage or cause financial loss. It involves manipulation, false statements, or the concealment of information to mislead. Fraudulent intent is essential, even if the loss is not actualized. This offense can occur in various contexts, such as commercial transactions, financial services, or document falsification. The severity of the penalty depends on the amount involved, ranging from a simple fine to imprisonment, depending on the circumstances.
Report to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Having been a victim of fraud with a food product, I also noticed another significant violation of Canadian law, which requires clear and direct traceability of all products sold—something that is not the case here. I therefore reported the situation to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, whose role is to ensure that the country of origin of food products is accurately stated and that all information on the label is truthful and not misleading.