TORONTO – Eleanor McCain, a shareholder in McCain Food Groups, Inc., has launched a legal challenge against the family’s holding company, alleging she is being prevented from selling her 8.7% stake at a fair market value. The lawsuit, filed in the Court of King’s Bench in Moncton, claims the company has implemented policies that restrict sales to non-family members, resulting in significantly lower offers from potential family buyers.

According to the CBC broadcast, McCain Food Groups had global sales of $16 billion last year. Eleanor McCain is one of 55 family members who hold shares in the company, but she is a professional singer with no involvement in the business. The lawsuit reportedly stems from a family dispute dating back to 1993, when Harrison and Wallace McCain went to court over the future leadership of the company.

The claimant is seeking a court order compelling the holding company to purchase her shares at a fair price. The McCain holding company has stated Eleanor McCain’s claim is “without merit” and that it is “committed to a fair commercial process that balances the interests of all stakeholders.” As of the broadcast, a statement of defense had not yet been filed.

Fifth Estate Investigation Reveals Discrepancies in Ostrich Culling

A separate segment of the CBC broadcast focused on a Fifth Estate investigation into the culling of 300 ostriches in British Columbia due to avian flu. The investigation revealed inconsistencies in claims made by the farm owners regarding the scientific value of the birds.

The farm owners had argued the ostriches possessed unique antibodies with potential therapeutic applications, citing testing by a Quebec lab, Immune Biosolutions. However, according to a statement provided to the Fifth Estate, Immune Biosolutions stated the antibodies “did not demonstrate the quality, purity or specificity required for therapeutic development.”

The investigation also questioned claims that Harvard University medical professor Dr. Alessio Fasano was a scientific advisor to the farm owners’ research company, Struthio Bioscience. Dr. Fasano told the Fifth Estate he had never heard of Struthio Bioscience and was not a scientific advisor, finding his inclusion on their list of advisors “disturbing.”

Update — 00:35

The court filing alleges Eleanor McCain is “financially trapped” and could receive hundreds of millions of dollars less than the fair market value if she sells to family members. The broadcast detailed the origins of the dispute, tracing it back to a 1993 court battle between Harrison and Wallace McCain over company leadership, and a judge’s recommendation for public shares to avoid future conflicts.

The CBC’s Fifth Estate also investigated the culling of 300 ostriches in British Columbia due to avian flu, revealing the operation cost Canadian taxpayers almost $7 million. The farm owners’ claims of the birds’ scientific value were disputed; Immune Biosolutions stated the ostrich antibodies lacked quality for therapeutic development, and Harvard professor Alessio Fasano stated he was never a scientific advisor to Struthio Bioscience.

Former Alberta finance minister Lyle Oberg, a Struthio board member, called the company’s business plan a “scam,” dismissing revenue projections of $2.2 billion within five years. The ostrich farm initially slaughtered birds for meat and leather, pivoting to antibody research during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Update — 00:37

The court filing alleges Eleanor McCain is “financially trapped” and could receive hundreds of millions of dollars less than the fair market value if she sells to family members. The broadcast detailed the history of the family dispute, tracing it back to 1993 when Harrison and Wallace McCain battled over company leadership, and a judge’s recommendation for public shares to avoid future conflicts.

The CBC broadcast also revealed significant details regarding the culling of 300 ostriches in British Columbia due to avian flu. The farm owners claimed the birds were scientifically valuable, but Immune Biosolutions stated the ostrich antibodies lacked the quality for therapeutic development. Harvard professor Alessio Fasano stated he was falsely listed as a scientific advisor. Former Alberta finance minister Lyle Oberg, a Struthio board member, called the business plan a “scam,” anticipating $2.2 billion in revenue within five years, which he deemed unrealistic.

The ostrich cull ultimately cost Canadian taxpayers nearly $7 million. The broadcast highlighted the farm’s shift from meat production to researching ostrich antibodies, attracting individuals opposed to public health mandates and fueling conspiracy theories, even reaching Donald Trump and RFK Jr.

Update — 00:38

The broadcast revealed details regarding the ostrich culling in British Columbia, including the cost to Canadian taxpayers of nearly $7 million. Farm owners claimed the ostriches possessed scientifically valuable antibodies, but Immune Biosolutions, the Quebec lab they cited, stated the antibodies lacked the quality for therapeutic development. Harvard professor Alessio Fasano denied any advisory role with the farm’s research company, Struthio Bioscience, calling its business plan a “scam.” Former Alberta finance minister Lyle Oberg, a Struthio board member, also expressed skepticism about the company’s projected $2.2 billion revenue within five years.

The broadcast also detailed the history of ostrich farming in Canada, noting a “craze” in the 1980s and 90s linked to a pyramid scheme. The farm in BC had previously slaughtered ostriches for meat and leather before pivoting to antibody research during COVID-19. The culling attracted support from individuals opposed to public health mandates and conspiracy theorists, including attention from Donald Trump and RFK Jr.

Finally, the broadcast reported on a separate case of maple syrup adulteration in Quebec, where producer Steve Bourdeau was found to be mixing cane sugar into his syrup, up to 50% in some samples. A class-action lawsuit has been filed, and relabeling of Bourdeau’s products was observed after the initial report.

Update — 00:40

The broadcast revealed the McCain holding company has global sales of $16 billion. Eleanor McCain alleges family members have offered her hundreds of millions of dollars below the fair market value for her 8.7% stake. The initial family dispute dates back to 1993, when Harrison and Wallace McCain battled over company leadership, with a judge later recommending public shares to limit future conflicts.

Regarding the ostrich farm controversy, the Canadian taxpayer bore a cost of nearly $7 million for the culling of 300 ostriches. The farm owners initially claimed the birds were scientifically valuable, but Immune Biosolutions stated the ostrich antibodies lacked the quality for therapeutic development. Harvard professor Alessio Fasano stated he was never a scientific advisor to Struthio Bioscience, and former Alberta finance minister Lyle Oberg described the Struthio business plan as a "scam".

Finally, a class-action lawsuit has been filed in Quebec regarding maple syrup adulteration. Producer Steve Bourdeau allegedly mixed cane sugar (around 50%) into his maple syrup and falsely labelled Ontario syrup as Quebec product. Consumers discovered relabeling of Bourdeau’s syrup cans after the initial report.

Update — 00:42

The broadcast revealed the McCain holding company has $75 billion in assets. Further details emerged regarding the 1993 family dispute, specifically Wallace McCain’s unsuccessful attempt to have his son Michael take over the company, and a judge’s recommendation for public shares to limit future conflicts.

Regarding the ostrich culling, the Canadian taxpayer bore a cost of almost $7 million. The broadcast detailed debunked claims made by the farm owners, including falsified Quebec lab results regarding antibody quality (Immune Biosolutions stated the antibodies lacked required quality/purity), and a Harvard professor (Dr. Alessio Fasano) denying any advisory role with Struthio Bioscience. Former Alberta finance minister Lyle Oberg called the Struthio Biosciences business plan a “scam.”

A class-action lawsuit has been filed in Quebec concerning adulterated maple syrup, specifically cane sugar added to syrup produced by Steve Bourdeau near Montreal (approximately 50% cane sugar in samples). Bourdeau also admitted to illegally labeling Ontario syrup as Quebec syrup, and relabeling efforts occurred *before* the broadcast of the initial report.

Update — 00:44

The broadcast detailed the cost of the ostrich culling at nearly $7 million to Canadian taxpayers. The investigation revealed that claims of the ostriches’ scientific value were largely unfounded, with Immune Biosolutions stating the ostrich antibodies lacked the quality for therapeutic development. Harvard professor Alessio Fasano stated he was falsely listed as a scientific advisor to Struthio Bioscience, calling the business plan a “scam.”

The broadcast also covered a maple syrup adulteration case in Quebec, where producer Steve Bourdeau was found to be mixing cane sugar into his syrup, up to 50% in tested samples. He also admitted to illegally relabeling Ontario syrup as Quebec product. A class-action lawsuit has been launched targeting the impurity of the syrup.

Finally, the broadcast provided details on the upcoming Artemis II mission, including the re-entry process, speeds reaching 40,000 km/h, and temperatures of 2,700 degrees Celsius, as well as highlighting Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s participation.

Update — 00:46

Further details have emerged regarding the ostrich culling in British Columbia. The Fifth Estate investigation revealed that claims of the ostriches’ scientific value were based on exaggerations and false claims. A Quebec lab, Immune Biosolutions, stated the ostrich antibodies did not meet the standards for therapeutic development, despite earlier claims. Dr. Lyle Oberg, a Struthio Biosciences board member, described the company’s business plan as a “scam,” anticipating unrealistic revenues of $2.2 billion within five years. The culling ultimately cost Canadian taxpayers almost $7 million.

A class-action lawsuit has been filed in Quebec concerning adulterated maple syrup. Journalist Gaetan Pouliot discovered cane sugar added to syrup produced by Steve Bourdeau, with analysis showing up to 50% cane sugar content. Bourdeau admitted to illegally labeling Ontario syrup as Quebec product. Consumers discovered relabeled cans after the initial report.

NASA has released details of the Artemis II mission’s return to Earth, including the intense re-entry process involving speeds up to 40,000 kilometers per hour and temperatures of 2,700 degrees Celsius. Chris Hadfield explained the crew will be falling from the moon, with twice the energy of his previous re-entries.

Update — 00:47

Further details have emerged regarding the McCain lawsuit. Eleanor McCain alleges the company implemented policies *after* a 1993 court case (between Harrison and Wallace McCain) recommending public shares to limit family disputes, instead making it harder to sell to non-family members, resulting in offers hundreds of millions below fair value.

The CBC broadcast also revealed new information on the ostrich culling case. Investigations revealed claims of “scientifically valuable” and “irreplaceable” ostriches were based on exaggerated claims. A Quebec lab (Immune Biosolutions) stated the ostrich antibodies did not meet standards for therapeutic development. Dr. Alessio Fasano of Harvard was falsely listed as a scientific advisor. Former Alberta finance minister Lyle Oberg called the Struthio Biosciences business plan a “scam,” estimating unrealistic revenues of $2.2 billion within five years. The cull ultimately cost Canadian taxpayers almost $7 million.

Regarding the maple syrup adulteration case, journalist Gaetan Pouliot discovered cane sugar (approximately 50%) added to syrup produced by Steve Bourdeau near Montreal. Bourdeau admitted to illegally labeling Ontario syrup as Quebec syrup, and relabeling occurred *before* the report aired. A class-action lawsuit is underway.

Finally, NASA’s Artemis II mission will experience a communications blackout during re-entry, hitting temperatures of 2,700 degrees Celsius. Astronauts will rely on the heat shield, and the process will take approximately 20 minutes. Chris Hadfield noted the crew will be falling from 400,000 kilometers, with twice the energy of his previous re-entries.