Frigid temperatures, extreme wind chills and mountains of snow – this year’s winter has been less than kind to many Canadians.
While most of us are anxiously counting down to the warmer weather, this wild winter has left a much more substantial mark on some Canadian industries.
At Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush in Ottawa, the cold weather has led to some sweet business for their maple syrup production.
“This year, with this kind of winter with lots of snow, we’re expecting really, really good flavoured maple syrup and lots of it,” said Shirley Fulton-Deugo, owner of Fulton’s Sugar Bush.
“Cold weather is actually good for the trees,” adds Scott Deugo.
Business is booming at Fulton’s, a stark contrast from two years ago when an unusually warm winter forced the family-run business to lay-off some of their 35 workers.
“We had minimal crop, like less than half a crop,” Fulton-Deugo told CTV Ottawa.
While Fulton’s is delighted with the extreme cold weather, other industries are feeling a deep freeze in their business.
In the Niagara region, frigid temperatures have damaged several grape crops this season.
Experts say that while a hit in crops will mean a decrease in wine production, wine drinkers won’t notice the difference until next year.
For Niagara wineries, such as Henry of Pelham, owners will be forced to absorb the cost of a bad season.
“Consumers get used to a certain price point and you’re limited in your ability to drive down price or pass on these costs. So we will bear most of these costs ourselves,” said Daniel Speck, owner of the winery.
He said that while the cold weather is bad news for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon production, it is ideal for ice wine lovers.
“We’re always hoping for a mild winter, but not too mild because we have to make ice wine,” he said.
With a report from CTV's Katie Simpson
