Eastern Ontario Sugar bushes open for the season: Buy local

Saturday marks the beginning of the sugar bush season in Eastern Ontario, as producers lean on a ‘buy local’ mentality. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

Maple tapping season kicks off across eastern Ontario on Saturday.

Families flocked to maple syrup producers across the Ottawa region to grab pancakes and the golden syrup.

The Rainville family had one priority when they arrived at Stanley’s Maple Farm for the start of maple tapping season, explains dad Luc Rainville.

“The kids wanted to eat,” he said. “Then we’re going to go explore.”

The pancake and maple syrup breakfast are a fan favourite. There’s also the chance to learn about how sap is made into syrup.

It’s a time honoured tradition in eastern Ontario to visit producers like these, and with the snowy weather, owner Earl Stanley says it’s far more of a usual season so far.

“We’re actually tapping more than we have in years,” he said. “But it’s being more traditional. The fact that we’re actually having to work with the snow for the last number of years, we haven’t had that much snow to wade through.”

As the threat of tariffs loom on imports, Quebec producers have warned that there could be major consequences for their producers.

Stanley says all his maple syrup is sold locally and with the push to buy Canadian, he feels there’s an opportunity.

“Hopefully it will improve our customer standpoint and want to buy more,” said Stanley.

“And that should in turn make a better year for us.”

Carleton’s MPP George Darouze was on hand to tap the tree and open the season. He says buying local is a focus.

“It’s time for us, collectively, to stick together and buy from our local community and the producer in our area. So, making sure we support them, and they can keep the door open to serve the communities,” Darouze said.