Live from the Coffee Association of Canada Conference with Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO

Recorded live at the Coffee Association of Canada Annual Conference, this special edition of The Food Professor Podcast with Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois brews up a rich conversation on the state of Canada’s food economy, the coffee industry’s shifting landscape, and the global forces shaping what Canadians eat and drink live on the stage.

The episode opens with Michael and Sylvain diving into the latest geopolitical tensions influencing trade and agriculture. From Washington to Mexico City, Sylvain shares insights from his travels and firsthand discussions with U.S. policy insiders and Latin American producers. The conversation highlights how Canada’s trading partners are adapting quickly, especially Mexico’s resilience and growing potential as a key agri-food ally in the hemisphere.

The professors then turn to an annual highlight — an early look at the 2026 Canada Food Price Report, compiled by a network of ten universities using AI-powered forecasting. Sylvain hints at tough times ahead for consumers, forecasting that meat and poultry prices could rise by as much as 25% in the months ahead, putting pressure on Canadian households. He connects this to the emerging “protein play” trend, where consumers are seeking protein in unconventional forms — including fortified beverages like coffee. While acknowledging the opportunity, he cautions that nutritionists are warning against over-fortification, signaling that balance and consumer education will be key.

The discussion then flows into GLP-1 drugs and their growing impact on food demand. As consumers change their eating patterns, Sylvain warns that Big Pharma’s gains may translate into Big Food’s challenges — though innovation and reformulation could open new opportunities. From AI-enabled efficiency to personalized nutrition, the professors explore how food and beverage brands must adapt to new consumption realities.

Rounding out the first half, they discuss the “Battle for the Third Place” — how coffee shops are redefining the space between home and work post-COVID. Sylvain urges operators to double down on human connection and service excellence, even as automation and rising wages push toward efficiency.

In the second half, guest Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO, unpacks Canada’s economic outlook. Porter delivers a grounded view of growth, inflation, immigration, and consumer spending, labeling the new federal budget “boring — and that’s a good thing.” He weighs in on labour shortages, immigration reform, the “K-shaped” economy, and AI’s role in reshaping productivity, closing with optimism that innovation and adaptation — not fear — will guide Canada’s next decade.

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.