How the devastating B.C. floods are impacting Japanese McDonald's menus
The impacts of a series of relentless rainstorms that passed over British Columbia in November are still being felt in the province, but they're also having an effect elsewhere.
When a series of "atmospheric rivers" crossed over Canada's western-most province last month, major highways crumbled away into swollen rivers or were buried in mud and debris. Several people and tens of thousands of animals were killed by mudslides and mass flooding as a result.
And the destruction meant issues with supply chain. For weeks it was difficult to get products into and out of B.C., leading to gas rationing and loosening of border regulations to allow residents to access essential supplies.
There were also impacts to railways and shipping as a result – impacts still being felt as far away as Asia more than a month later.
While much less serious than the issues noted at home, the flooding resulted in a shortage of French fries in Japan, according to one fast-food chain.
In a statement posted online in Japanese, staff at McDonald's warned customers that restaurants would be selling fries in the smallest size only.
Medium and large fries are not available, the fast-food giant wrote on Dec. 21, "due to delay in importing potatoes from North America."
McDonald's Japan said the sales restrictions would be temporary only, noting it imports potatoes "on a large scale" through the Port of Vancouver.
Because of the flood damage, import delays are being experienced.
The restaurant planned to sell only small fries between Dec. 24 and Dec. 30, hoping for a potato shipment that will allow for larger sizes to be sold again soon.
The company is apologizing to customers for the inconvenience, which McDonald's Japan said is impacting approximately 2,900 restaurants across the country.
While the larger sizes are unavailable, the price of meals based on a medium fry will be discounted by 50 yen.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.