GST Holiday Havoc, Dynamite T&T U.S. Launch and our guest Paul Jewer, President & CEO, High Liner Foods

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois discuss various pressing topics in the food and retail sectors. We begin with reflections on the release of Canada’s Food Price Report, which sparked substantial media coverage despite being overshadowed by broader economic and political issues, including the proposed GST holiday. Sylvain shares his unique experience of testifying remotely before the Canadian Senate from Berlin, highlighting the logistical hurdles and his stance on taxing food at retail.

We delve into key developments in the U.S., including the Albertsons-Kroger merger, blocked by the FTC, and discuss its implications for market competition. We also examine the success of T & T’s U.S. expansion, emphasizing how Canadian businesses can thrive internationally while maintaining their distinct identity.

Another focus is the potential impact of eliminating interprovincial trade barriers in Canada, which could boost GDP and enhance logistical efficiencies in the food sector. Sylvain highlights the challenges posed by Canada’s fragmented regulatory environment and the need for cohesive national policies like the Grocery Code of Conduct.

The episode concludes with teasers for upcoming episodes, including top food stories and predictions for 2025, reinforcing the podcast’s role as a key platform for insights into the food industry.

Special Guest: Paul Jewer, President & CEO of High Liner Foods

This episode features Paul Jewer, President and CEO of High Liner Foods, as the special guest. High Liner a leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood, is celebrating its remarkable 125th anniversary. Paul shares insights into the company’s journey, from its retail products across Canada and the U.S. to its extensive B2B operations serving restaurants and institutions.

The interview highlights High Liner as a quintessential Canadian success story, underlining its resilience and innovation in the competitive food industry. Paul’s narrative celebrates the company’s legacy and emphasizes its role in advancing the seafood sector through sustainability and value-added offerings.

 

T&T Image:

The line to enter T&T Supermarket was nearly an hour long in the middle of the afternoon on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Jeff Wells/Grocery Dive

 

About Paul

PAUL JEWER, FCPA, FCA, ICD.D

Paul was appointed as President & Chief Executive Officer in December 2023. Previous to that he served as the Companies Chief Financial Officer, since February 2014.  Prior to joining High Liner Foods in 2014, Paul was CFO with Sobeys Inc., a leading Canadian grocery and food distributor. He is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) and began his career with Ernst & Young LLP providing audit, tax, valuation and business advisory services for a variety of clients in various business sectors. Prior to joining Sobeys Inc. in 2003, he held a number of progressively senior finance positions in the technology sector.

Paul graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Acadia University. In 1997 he received his Chartered Accountant designation. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

He is currently Treasurer of the Groundfish Forum, a member of the executive of the National Fisheries Institute, a board member of Norcod, and a board advisor to Andfjord Salmon. Paul is also Chair of Sport Nova Scotia and a member of the Advisory Board of FM Global Canada. Paul is an Honorary Governor of the Board of Governors of Acadia University, having completed a seven- year term as Chair of the Board. Paul is also past Chair of the Board of Governors of the Halifax Grammar School.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.

Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world’s most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. 

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada. 

Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.

With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.

 Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast.  He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.