VANCOUVER, BC, July 9, 2026 /CNW/ - Proposed national settlements have been reached with JBS USA Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland Inc., and JBS Canada ULC (collectively, "JBS"), and National Beef Packing Company, LLC ("National Beef"), in the Canadian Beef class actions. These class actions allege price fixing and related conduct in respect of the sale of Beef in Canada. The class actions continue against certain Cargill and Tyson defendants on behalf of all persons in Canada who purchased Beef after January 1, 2015, excluding Beef Products and Beef purchased from the food service industry. "Beef" is defined as the raw portion of cattle carcasses intended for human consumption, and "Beef Products" means products that contain Beef as one ingredient among others except where all non-Beef ingredients have been introduced through the process of mechanical blade/needle tenderizing, brine injection, massaging, aging, chemical/enzyme tenderizing, vacuum tumbling, marination and/or seasoning.

JBS has agreed to pay CAD $7,498,700 for the benefit of class members. National Beef has agreed to pay CAD $495,000 for the benefit of class members. In addition, JBS and National Beef have agreed to provide co-operation to the plaintiffs in pursuing their claims against the non-settling defendants. The settlements are not an admission by JBS or National Beef of liability, fault, or wrongdoing, but are compromises of disputed claims. The settlements must be approved by the courts before they become effective.

Potential class members who do not wish to participate as class members in the Canadian Beef class actions must opt out by August 10, 2026. To opt out, potential class members must send a signed written election to class counsel before the deadline. If class members do not opt out, they will be bound by any judgment or result in the class actions if they are certified against the other defendants. Find out more at the website listed below.

Persons in Canada may be affected by the settlement and may opt out of the class actions if they fall into one or both of the following categories:

-  All persons in Canada, who purchased for resale or personal use, between January 1, 2015, and the date the class action in British Columbia is certified for settlement approval, Beef excluding Beef Products and Beef purchased from the food service industry.

-  All persons who purchased Beef in Quebec between January 1, 2015, and the date the class action in British Columbia is certified for settlement approval.

For more detailed information and to review the short-form and long-form notices, please visit www.beefclassaction.ca.

Vancouver, BC, July 7, 2026 - The Chinese Restaurant Awards (CRA) enters a bold new chapter for its 17th year, expanding beyond Canada to recognize Chinese culinary excellence across North America. The 2026 Awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim. To celebrate the annual list announcement, the CRA will also present its second annual Dim Sum Gala, presented by Scotia Wealth Management in the evening. Tickets are now available online.

This year’s Dim Sum Gala is themed “Pearl City Splendor,” transporting guests into the elegance of old Hong Kong and Shanghai supper clubs through a refined multi-course yum cha experience. The evening will explore both the cultural depth and contemporary evolution of dim sum — from the heritage-driven expressions of premium aged tangerine peel (“chenpi”) from Xinhui, China, presented by Chinese Executive Chef Li Chi Wai and Dim Sum Head Chef Cheuk Ka Ching of Michelin one-star The Legacy House at Rosewood Hong Kong, to the bold and personal interpretations of 2025 Dim Sum Chef of the Year Garley Leung of Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, 2025 Canadian Culinary Champion Alex Kim of Five Sails Restaurant, and 2022 & 2023 new wave talent Toby Chen of Chinese Restaurant Awards.

The evening will also feature pairings from The Dalmore whisky, Granriviera Mimosa, and Mt. Boucherie wines, creating an elevated and immersive dim sum dining experience.

“As Chinese cuisine continues to evolve across North America, we felt it was important for the Chinese Restaurant Awards to expand alongside it with the launch of our first Chinese dining guide spanning the U.S., alongside our established lists in Canada and Asia,” says Lee Man, founding judge of the Chinese Restaurant Awards. “Our priority has always been the dining public. We want to create a comprehensive dining guide shaped by Taste Advisors who deeply understand Chinese food and regional Chinese cuisines. Whether it’s helping longtime diners rediscover restaurants or guiding new audiences to where they can experience the best Chinese food, we want the Awards to remain a trusted reference for how and where to dine well, and what signature dishes to order.”

“At Scotia Wealth Management, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate cultural heritage and bring communities together,” says Amit Brahme, Vice President, Strategic Cultural Segments, Scotia Wealth Management. “The Dim Sum Gala continues to elevate the conversation around Chinese cuisine and its growing cultural influence, creating connections through food, culture, and shared experiences.”

Rae Kung, CEO of the Chinese Restaurant Awards, says: “Promoting and preserving Chinese culinary culture continues to be  the heart of our mission. This year’s award recipients represent a new chapter in the evolving story of Chinese cuisine, bringing outstanding restaurants and culinary talent to one of the industry’s most important stages. Through Dim Sum Gala, we hope to showcase that yum cha is far more than a dining experience; it is a cultural memory, a living tradition of craftsmanship, and a platform for storytelling and connection.”

The Dim Sum Gala chefs include:

• Executive Chinese Chef Li Chi Wai of Michelin one-star The Legacy House at Rosewood Hong Kong — ranked No. 1 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels — brings more than two decades of Cantonese culinary experience, specializing in refined Shunde regional cuisine. His career includes notable tenures at MGM Macau and MGM Cotai.

• Dim Sum Head Chef Cheuk Ka Ching of Michelin one-star The Legacy House at Rosewood Hong Kong — ranked No. 1 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels — with over 25 years of experience in the industry, has crafted countless delicate dim sum creations for Hong Kong’s most discerning diners elevated the art of Cantonese dim sum to new heights.

• Chef Garley Leung, Dim Sum Head of 2025 Elite 30 CANADA No.1 restaurant Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, was named 2025 Dim Sum Chef of the Year. Born in Hong Kong, Leung began his culinary journey in the 1970s apprenticing in northern-style dim sum at Hong Kong’s Peking Garden. When he arrived in Vancouver in 1981, he became part of the city’s first wave of dim sum chefs.

• Alex Kim, Culinary Director of Five Sails Restaurant,is the 2025 Canadian Culinary Champion, BC Regional Gold Medalist, and runner-up on Top Chef Canada Season 12. Born in Seoul, Kim’s culinary foundation was shaped by his grandmother in Korea and refined through collaborations with international chefs. His cuisine highlights the richness of British Columbia through locally sourced ingredients.

• Chef Toby Chen returns to the Dim Sum Gala after being recognized as an emerging talent at the 2022 Master Chef Gala. A graduate of the Vancouver Community College Asian Culinary Arts program, Chen was formerly chef de cuisine at the now-closed Missing Chopsticks and is currently part of the culinary team at Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Botanist.

17th Annual Chinese Restaurant Awards’ Dim Sum Gala

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | Time: Reception at 6 p.m., Dinner at 7 p.m.

Location: Fairmont Pacific Rim - 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9

Tickets: $450 per individual seat; $4,200 for a table of ten | Ticket Link: online  (Limited to 200 seats; including The Dalmore whisky tasting and cocktail experience, and premium BC wine pairing)

The 2026 Chinese Restaurant Awards North America winners will be announced in Vancouver at the afternoon ceremony on September 23, followed by the announcement of the annual Asia list in November, marking the organization’s continued international expansion.

For more information about the Chinese Restaurant Awards & the Dim Sum Gala, please visit www.chineserestaurantawards.com.

Our Carte Blanche wins Gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2026 for the second year running! An iconic cuvée, rewarded for its balance, finesse, and brilliance, confirming once again the Bernard Remy signature.

Our Blanc de Blancs, meanwhile, has been awarded a Silver Medal. 
A tribute to delicacy that reveals all the purity of the Chardonnay from our vines.

Vancouver, B.C., June 29, 2026 – Chinatown is one of Vancouver’s most dynamic and delicious neighbourhoods, and this July, there’s never been a better reason to visit. A coalition of 19 local restaurants and bars is launching the Chinatown Passport, a free digital experience where locals and visitors alike collect digital “stamps” at participating venues throughout the month for a chance to win a trip. The goal, to encourage guests to support and explore a community that has seen a recent dip in foot traffic.

The Chinatown Passport currently features (with more to come): Bagheera, Barbara, Bar Gobo, Bao Bei, The Chickadee Room, Chinatown BBQ, DD Mau, Fat Mao Noodles, Harvest, Irish Heather, Juke Fried Chicken,The Keefer Bar, Kissa Tanto, Lao Wai, Meo, Pizza Coming Soon, Propaganda, Say Hey, and Touski.

“The World Cup has brought incredible energy to the city, and it’s been amazing to be part of it. But like any big event, the energy isn’t always evenly spread out as many of our friends and neighbours in Chinatown have seen a considerable dip in business compared to this time last year,” explains Tannis Ling, co-owner, Bao Bei, Meo, and Kissa Tanto. “We decided to do something about it and create something fun. That’s how we came up with the Chinatown Passport.”

How it Works

The Chinatown Passport is a simple web-based experience (no download required). Guests open the link on any phone browser, review a map of participating venues (each with photos, hours, address, and a link to their website), then collect a digital “stamp” at each location they visit and support (e.g. a drink at the bar, lunch, or dinner). After collecting eight stamps, guests are automatically entered into a draw to win a two-day trip to Bodega Ridge on Galiano (conditions apply).

Collecting the digital “stamp” just involves pointing a phone camera at a unique QR code at each venue. Stamps can only be earned on-location (with a minimum purchase) Stamps are stored on the guest’s own phone. The only information collected is an email address to enter the draw.

“Whether you’re just visiting this summer or live nearby, we want people to come and experience this neighbourhood,” adds Pat Hennessy, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Barbara. “The Chinatown Passport gives people a reason to check-out favourites and discover places they might never have found. We have a high concentration of the best cafés, bars, and restaurants in Vancouver which makes our Chinatown very special. We just want to share it with visitors and remind locals we’re here during the World Cup.”

The Chinatown Passport will run July 1 to 31, 2026. For more information about the Chinatown Passport, please email chinatownpassport88@gmail.com or visit chinatownpassport.app