Edmonton, AB, July 15, 2026 – Ricky's Mill Creek has officially expanded its restaurant, nearly doubling its size to provide more seating and an enhanced dining experience for guests. As part of the expansion, the restaurant has also introduced a new Weekend Breakfast Buffet, available every Saturday and Sunday beginning July 4, 2026.

The Breakfast Buffet is offered as an add-on option, allowing guests to continue enjoying Ricky's traditional table service while choosing to fill their plates with eggs and bacon, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, pastries, and more.

The new buffet offers even more variety while maintaining the quality, comfort, and hospitality Ricky's is known for.

"Our goal is always to bring people together over great food," said Ravi, the owner of Ricky's Mill Creek. "With our expanded dining room and new Breakfast Buffet, we're excited to offer our guests even more reasons to make Ricky's their weekend breakfast destination."

The buffet is available Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 9555 82 Ave, Edmonton, AB. Reservations are recommended during peak times. For more information or to book a table, call (780) 437-0727.

July 15, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Lactalis Canada Inc (‘Lactalis Canada’), the Canadian dairy leader behind emblematic brands including Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia, and part of France based Lactalis Group – today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with Agropur Cooperative to acquire assets of its fine cheese division including renowned Quebec-made brands OKA, Monsieur Gustav and L’Extra, two production facilities as well as its fine cheese import activities. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and approval by Competition Bureau Canada. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

These artisanal cheeses enhance Lactalis Canada’s portfolio of specialty and core cheese brands – including Galbani, Président, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, P’tit Québec, Balderson, Cheestrings Ficello and aMOOza! – further reinforcing the company’s strength and breadth in the dairy case to meet consumer demand for high-quality cheese.

“This acquisition represents a major opportunity for Lactalis to build on flagship Quebec brands and outstanding cheesemaking expertise. It strengthens our position in the Canadian market and supports our ambition to provide consumers with healthy, high-quality dairy products, driven by excellence and innovation,” said Emmanuel Besnier, Chairman of Lactalis Group.

“This acquisition reflects Lactalis Canada’s clear ambition in this country – to lead through investment in efficient capacity and capability building, trusted national brands including customer brands and strong partnerships across the dairy value chain,” said Mark Taylor, President & CEO, Lactalis Canada. “Building on the significant investments we have made in the Canadian dairy and food manufacturing sector, this latest transaction underscores yet another important milestone in Lactalis Canada’s growth journey and highlights our role as a priority market for Lactalis Group.”

 Preserving Heritage Brands through Tradition, Expertise and Local Commitment

Through this transaction, Lactalis Canada will acquire two production facilities in Oka and Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec and add approximately 400 employees to its 4,500 team across Canada.

“We place great value on this cheese portfolio being steeped in heritage and deeply intertwined within the fabric of Quebec,” continued Taylor. “In keeping with Lactalis Group’s respect for the terroirs and pride in global cheesemaking expertise, we are committed to preserving the authenticity and quality of these award-winning brands. This extends to being an active member of the Oka and St-Hyacinthe communities – supporting employees, farmers and partners and contributing meaningfully to the people and places that have shaped these beloved brands.”

A Track Record of Investment & Growth in Canada

Since 2018, Lactalis Canada has become the third largest branded CPG in Canada, driven by strategic growth and sustained investments that include:

• Completion of four major acquisitions, including the $1.62 billion acquisition of Kraft Heinz’s natural cheese business in Canada – the largest transaction in the Canadian dairy sector – as well as Ultima Foods Inc., Kraft Heinz’s grated cheese business, and Marie Morin Canada.
• More than $900 million in capital investments and transformation projects to enhance capacity and capabilities across 19 Canadian manufacturing sites and multiple distribution centres including a new 379,000‑square‑foot, zero‑carbon‑ready distribution centre in Oshawa, Ontario.
• Processing approximately 2.2 billion litres of 100% Canadian milk and over one million kilograms in volume annually, supporting the Canadian dairy sector and supply chain.
• A vast portfolio of iconic and award‑winning brands with leading market position, trusted by and present in 9 out of 10 Canadian households.
• Growing its Canadian workforce by 48%, to 4,500 employees nationwide, with ongoing investment in training and upskilling.
• Delivering meaningful ESG impact, including more than $3 million in annual community investment.

VANCOUVER, BC (July 14, 2026) — This week, Gastown welcomes a new restaurant rooted in one simple philosophy: do one thing exceptionally well.

Opening tomorrow on July 15, Entrecôte Restaurant brings the timeless French tradition of steak-frites to Vancouver. Inspired by the legendary Parisian restaurants known for serving a single signature dish, Entrecôte offers premium entrecôte, handmade golden frites, a fresh walnut salad and its signature “sauce secrète”, creating a dining experience that celebrates quality, tradition and simplicity.

Behind the restaurant is founder Florence Doumet, a Lebanon-born restaurateur who developed Entrecôte alongside her husband, Soheil. Her vision was to create the kind of neighbourhood bistro she loves in France. Welcoming and effortlessly French, Entrecôte is a place where guests can enjoy exceptional food, warm hospitality and beautiful surroundings, whether celebrating a special occasion or stopping in for a casual weeknight dinner.

"Entrecôte is about more than steak-frites," says Doumet. "It's about creating a place where people can gather over great food and conversation. In France, restaurants like this become part of everyday life, and I wanted to bring that same feeling to Vancouver by sharing the warmth, simplicity and hospitality of French dining."

Located at 12 Water Street, Entrecôte pairs its focused menu with elegant Parisian-inspired interiors, designed by Le Studio and brought to life by Moreno, whose craftsmanship transformed the space from the ground up. Together, they created an environment that reflects the timeless charm of a neighbourhood bistro in France.

Opening during Vancouver's busy summer season, Entrecôte offers both locals and visitors an authentic taste of France in one of the city's most historic neighbourhoods. Whether it's a leisurely lunch, a date night or dinner with friends, the restaurant invites guests to experience the timeless appeal of simple food prepared exceptionally well.

"Gastown has so much history and character," says Doumet. "It immediately reminded me of the neighbourhoods I love in Europe. I hope every guest leaves feeling like they've discovered a little piece of Paris right here in Vancouver."

Richmond, B.C. (July 13, 2026) — WorkSafeBC announced today that the preliminary average base rate for 2027 will remain at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll. Subject to final approval by WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors in the fall, this will be the 10th consecutive year that the average base rate has remained at this level.

Surplus funds returned to employers

WorkSafeBC’s rate-setting approach includes mechanisms to return surplus funds to employers when the funding level exceeds its target. In 2027, WorkSafeBC is proposing to return almost $1 billion ($960 million) of surplus funds to employers through discounted rates and assessment credits.

• Discounted rates: WorkSafeBC is returning an estimated $677 million of surplus funds to employers by pricing base rates below the costs to run the workers’ compensation system. The preliminary average base rate of $1.55 will be 18 per cent less than the projected average cost rate of $1.88 in 2027, with the difference funded by the surplus.

• Assessment credits: WorkSafeBC is also providing $283 million in assessment credits to employer accounts in 2027 in those industry groups with significant surpluses. This credit will apply to approximately 31,000 employers in 15 industry groups.

Between 2019 and 2027, WorkSafeBC projects that $3.9 billion of surplus funds will have been returned to employers, primarily through the pricing of base rates below costs.

Changes in 2027 will enhance rate stability

While the average base rate will be unchanged in 2027, each year, the costs in some industries go up, some go down and others stay the same. In 2027, more than half (52 per cent) of employers will either see a decrease in their base rate (30 per cent) or no change (22 per cent), while 48 per cent will see an increase.

To keep rates as stable as possible, base rate increases and decreases are normally capped at 20 per cent. However, given the continuing economic uncertainties facing the province, for 2027, WorkSafeBC will restrict base rate increases to a maximum of 15 per cent, while allowing base rate reductions of up to 30 per cent. This temporary approach, which was also used in 2026, is intended to provide greater rate stability for B.C. employers during challenging economic times.

WorkSafeBC’s strong financial position has allowed the average base rate to remain flat, despite upward claim-cost pressures — particularly for psychological-injury and chronic-pain claims — and a reduction in the surplus.

Premiums fund the workers’ compensation system

The Workers Compensation Act requires WorkSafeBC to set premium rates annually for employers to pay for the workers' compensation system. The system is structured so that today’s employers are accountable for the full cost of today’s workplace injuries.

Premium rate increases and decreases are mainly driven by injury rates, return-to-work performance, and the resulting cost of claims, as well as investment returns.

WorkSafeBC operates a non-profit system funded solely by employer premiums and investment returns. Premiums fund the costs associated with work-related injuries and diseases, health care, wage loss, rehabilitation and administration, including prevention and safety initiatives.

WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors will finalize the 2027 premium rates in October of this year.

Rate information sessions

Rate information sessions with stakeholders will take place this summer, with general information sessions scheduled for July 13, 14 and 15. These sessions are an opportunity for WorkSafeBC to provide an update on the financial state of the workers’ compensation system, rate and classification changes, and information on health and safety and return-to-work activities. Further details are posted online at worksafebc.com.