Bolthouse Farms Canada is voluntarily recalling 6 different protein beverages and a variety of butters due to a possible spoilage! The spoilage may affect the drinks by giving them a lumpy appearance along with unpleasant tastes and odours. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these drinks; however, if you bought them, you’re advised to return it for a refund.

The products affected are listed above, which includes the protein drinks and butters. The recall affects Protein PLUS Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Blended Coffee, Strawberry, Coconut and Banana Honey Almond Butter varieties with best by dates between June 20, 2016 and September 18, 2016.

Click here to read about this Bolthouse Farms Canada recall.

With both sides far from agreement on the latest round of talks, it is looking more and more likely that there may be a disruption to the postal service as early as July 2nd so you may want to rethink some of those online orders from outside of Canada or retailers who can be slow to ship packages within Canada.

Major customers were sent a notice of the possibility some time ago, so both sides have been ready for the possibility with Manitoba even making alternative arrangements to get essential and government mail (like welfare cheques, health cards and more) delivered to pickup points starting on Monday.

Agreements have been reached between the two side ahead of previous potential work stoppages to deliver government payments to seniors and people with low incomes but so far, this is not the case this time although they have said they will start segregating any live animals and other perishable packages ahead of the potential work stoppage to ensure they are delivered.

While the talks are mainly confidential, it seems that guaranteed pensions and the future of Canada Post are the major issues.   Unlike some previous potential disruptions, this one will impact both urban and rural customers.

Unconfirmed rumours include Purolator asking their employees to not take holidays starting on July 2nd and some Canada Post facilities not accepting mail even earlier than this to ensure all mail is delivered and not stuck in warehouses.  According to letters sent to businesses

• Regular letter mail should be delivered to Canada Post before June 23 but there are no service guarantees – so if you are a coupon trader, get those sent out ASAP
• Regular parcels should be accepted at a postal office already for national service, by June 22 for delivery within province and June 27 for local service.
• Xpresspost and Priority parcels have until June 28 or 29 to be picked up or dropped off to Canada Post.
• Any letters or parcels within the system during a potential work stoppage will be secured and delivered as soon as possible once work resumes.

If you have a Shoppers Drug Mart branded account or credit card with RBC, be sure to read the letter they just sent or insert in your statements as they are ending their partnership this year.

The move is not a surprise, since Loblaws took over Shoppers Drug Mart, the move to PC Banking was probably going to happen at some point.  But RBC holds the accounts, and unless you tell them otherwise, will convert them to regular RBC accounts later this year.  If you have a banking account, it will be converted to a no-limit banking account while the Shoppers Drug Mart branded credit card will be converted to a cash-back card.  Fees for these accounts may differ from your Optimum banking accounts, so be sure to check to see if that is an account you still want  without the bonus of more Optimum points.

You can continue to use your cards until the end of September and points will be transferred to your Optimum accounts as usual.  They will not contact you to ask if you want to transfer your account to their regular ones, it is up to you to contact them and say you do not want the new card.  But they do have a bonus on the cash-back credit card if you switch.

It will be interesting to see if PC offer an Optimum branded card after the September 30th deadline or if they will offer the regular PC accounts to Shoppers Drug Mart customers which may signal a move to PC Plus at Shoppers.

The 17th annual British Columbia Family Fishing Weekend starts Friday, June 17, 2016 until Sunday, June 19, 2017. The Family Fishing Society of BC encourages British Columbians to go fishing, learn a great new pastime and have fun with family and friends!

Click here to read about the British Columbia Family Fishing Weekend.

Walmart is making a bold move in their fight against what they see as unacceptably high costs associated with using Visa cards and will stop accepting them in-stores across Canada this year.

We will see the change start in Thunder Bay stores in a month with the policy change rolling out across the country after that.  Since stores like to roll policy changes into one date, watch for those long rumoured price-match and coupon policy changes happening this summer too.

Walmart claims that it spends $100 million in credit card fees per year.  Considering that Visa is a bit more popular in Canada, that is a large portion of people who will have to use debit, cash or an alternative credit card at Walmart.  The fees will also be a large loss to Visa so it will be interesting to see if they give into Walmart’s demand for a lower rate which can be quite high for reward cards.

Will this change how often you shop with Walmart?  Many Canadians are used to this policy with No Frills also refusing Visa cards, but it seems easier to accept it from them when they claim they get lower costs by offering a Mastercard and only accepting it.  Walmart also offers online shopping which does not give you the choice to pay with cash or many debit cards, an issue No Frills does not have to worry about.

Tim Hortons Canada has announced its newest coffee: Three Peaks Colombian Coffee! Available for a limited time only, you can try a small size for free! This new Three Peaks coffee comes from Cauca, Colombia and has a smooth and distinctive taste. It’s a medium roast with hints of caramel that will be sure to wake up your taste buds in the morning!

All you have to do is visit the link below and register for a coupon. Based on the list of participating restaurants, it looks like most of them are in New Brunswick. This coupon expires on June 30, 2016.

Click here to get this Tim Hortons Canada deal.

You may remember the post that was written yesterday about the items containing sunflower seeds, which were recalled due to a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination; another product, Atkins Day Break Bars containing sunflower seeds are also being recalled. Take note that this recall was listed on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website on June 5, 2016 but has since been updated with a different expiry date as noted in the photo below in bold with an asterisk.

• Atkins Day Break, Chocolaty Hazelnut Bar
• Atkins Day Break, Cranberry Almond
• Atkins Day Break, Chocolaty Chip Granola Bar

Although your food may look and smell OK to eat, it may still be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. If you have any of the products mentioned above, you’re advised to throw them out or return them to where they were purchased. If you’re experiencing any symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache or neck stiffness after eating these Atkins Day Break bars, visit your doctor as soon as possible.

Click here to read about this Atkins Canada recall.

The 17th annual British Columbia Family Fishing Weekend is almost here! This weekend, The Family Fishing Society of BC encourages British Columbians to go fishing, learn a great new pastime and have fun with family and friends! There are three different opportunities are available to the public through the program:

• Go fishing license-free this weekend within the rules anywhere in B.C.! Enjoy time with family and learn a new sport!
• There will also be numerous free community fishing events!
• Plus, if you want to learn even more about fishing in B.C. visit the educational website below.

Click here to read about the British Columbia Family Fishing Weekend.

Bassé Frères Alimentation Oriental is recalling certain Bassé and President’s Choice brand products containing sunflower seeds because there’s a possibility that it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall was triggered by the company itself and there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these items; however, if you are experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache or neck stiffness after eating any of these items, you’re advised to see a doctor as soon as possible. Below is a list of recall items:

• President’s Choice Mountain Trail Mix
• President’s Choice Roasted Sunflower Seeds Salted
• President’s Choice Roasted Sunflower Seeds Unsalted
• Bassé Unsalted Sunflower Seed Kernels
• Bassé Hicking Trail Mix
• Bassé Unsalted Sunflower Seed Kernels
• Bassé Unsalted Sunflower Seed
• Bassé Alive Salad Topper – Dried cranberries, sunflower seed kernels and walnuts

Click here to read more about this Food Recall.

Saputo Inc. is recalling Neilson brand Partly Skimmed Chocolate Milk from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. You should not consume the recalled product described below.

The Neilson brand Partly Skimmed Chocolate Milk affected products have been distributed in Ontario and Quebec.

What you should do
Check to see if you have recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. If you think you became sick from eating a recalled product, call your doctor.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness.

Click here to get more information about the recalled products.

CLIF Bar & Company is recalling its Sierra Trail Mix Energy CLIF Bar due to a possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. This recall was triggered by the company itself and there were no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these energy bars; however, if you do have them in your house, you’re advised to return them to where they were purchased.

As mentioned in the previous food recall warnings, even though your food might look and smell OK to eat, it could still be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness.

Click here to read more about this Food Recall.

The Home Depot Canada has a new list of free workshops that will be happening next month in June! Learn everything from how to repair your deck to how to paint your home this summer. Keep in mind that you will have to contact your local Home Depot to register for classes.

• Build a World’s Best Dad Trophy Phone Holder: Saturday, June 11, 2016  10AM – 12PM
• Painting Your Home’s Exterior: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 7PM – 8PM
• Create or Maintain a Pavestone Walkway: Saturday, June 18, 2016 10am – 11am
• Learn How To Maintain Your Deck: Sunday, June 26, 2016 1PM – 2PM

Click here to view the The Home Depot Canada flyer.

Click here to get The Home Depot Canada online offers.

Loblaw Companies Limited Canada recalls Joe Fresh Pre-Walker Footlets as the fabric on the slipper may detach and pose a choking hazard to children.

Loblaw has received one report in Canada of material coming off the heel of a Footlet. No injuries were reported. Approximately 6800 pairs of the recalled Footlets were sold at Loblaw stores across Canada from February 2016 to May 2016.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Joe Fresh Pre-Walker Footlets and return the product to any Loblaw banner store where Joe Fresh apparel is sold for a full refund (a receipt is not required).

Click here to get more information about this recall.

June is Bike Month in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area! Toronto Bike to work day group commute & pancake breakfast at Nathan Phillips Square.

Event Type: Ride

Time: Monday, May 30 at 7:00 am – Monday, May 30 at 9:00 am

Click here to find out more about this great event.

Have fun this morning with Cineplex! Today, Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 11am the film The Neverending Story will be for only $2.99! This offer is valid at participating Cineplex theatres. A portion of the proceeds goes towards supporting Free The Children. It’s a fun and affordable way to enjoy the weekend with your family!

Click here to see a list of Cineplex participates in the Family Favourites event.