Michael Ling DDS - January 2020

The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist

History’s Sweetest Theft

barrels of maple syrup valued at $18.7 million. This remains one of the most costly

Maple syrup holds a proud place in the history and culture of Quebec, Canada. It’s also a big part of Quebec’s economy, with 72% of the world’s maple syrup produced in Quebec alone. Due to tactics employed by the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (FPAQ), the NPR-backed podcast “The Indicator” estimates that maple syrup is valued at approximately $1,300 per barrel — over 20 times more than crude oil. The FPAQ controls the available syrup supply, never releasing enough maple syrup to meet demand, which increases the price. As a result, most of the world’s maple syrup is stored in various reserves. Between 2011 and 2012, a group of thieves decided to liberate the syrup from an FPAQ facility in Saint-Louis- de-Blandford, Quebec. Stealing syrup from Canada doesn’t sound as

glamorous as stealing cash from a Vegas casino, but their plan could rival the plot of “Ocean’s Eleven.”

heists in Canadian history. Vallières himself became a millionaire and took his family on three tropical vacations in one year.

At the FPAQ facility, syrup was stored in unmarked metal barrels and only

inspected once a year. The heist, led by a man named Richard Vallières, involved transporting the barrels to a remote sugar shack in the Canadian wilderness, where they siphoned off the maple syrup, refilled the barrels with water, and returned the

Unfortunately, the thieves got sloppy and stopped refilling the barrels with water. When an FPAQ inspector visited the targeted facility in

detrimental to your children’s oral health. Instead, we will assess the individual health risk of every member of your family and make recommendations for the frequency of cleanings each person needs. Think about it this way: How much does your child change over the course of a year? At 1 month old, they may start registering sounds and sights, but at 1 year old, most babies are crawling or walking, gabbing away with baby sounds, and exploring their world in ways they never could before. Likewise, your child’s oral health changes rapidly. It’s imperative they see the dentist on a regular basis as established by the dentist. As an adult, your physical growth and development are much different than a child’s. Your individual needs vary as you age and common aging conditions and circumstances take a toll on your oral health. Once again, it’s crucial that you and your dentist establish a timeline that fits your needs and health risk. Our team can work with you and your family to establish a timeline that fits into your schedule. Learn more by giving us a call. the fall of 2012, he accidentally knocked over one of the empty barrels. The inspector alerted the police, who would go on to arrest 17 men in connection to the theft, including Vallières himself. Police were then able to recover hundreds of barrels of the stolen syrup, but most of it was never recovered — likely lost to pancake breakfasts far away.

barrels to the facility. The stolen syrup was then trucked east to New Brunswick and south across the border into Vermont. Wisely, the thieves sold their ill-gotten goods in small batches, avoiding suspicion from legitimate syrup distributors. In what is now known as the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, thieves made off with 10,000

How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?

As a parent, you’re busy. You have to prepare lunches, get your kids ready and sent to school on time, and remember that there’s piano practice tonight and youth group tomorrow. When you get a message from our dental practice that it’s time to schedule your next dental appointment, you may think you don’t have time to squeeze one in. How could you possibly need to see the dentist again ? When it comes to dental appointments and the frequency they occur, every schedule should be unique. It is financially beneficial and healthy to attend regular dental appointments based on your individual needs. Your teeth and mouth’s susceptibility to tooth decay is reliant on many factors, including your genetics, diet, and oral health habits. As a result, your neighbor may only need to see the dentist twice each year, but your dentist may recommend you visit every three months. Many families opt for one or two days out of the year when the entire family is seen for dental cleanings and care. While this is a busy mom’s dream, it could also be You may want to rethink that.

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