Welcome back! This week, I stopped by Bar Avelo to try their fish and chips made with New School Foods' plant-based salmon—it’s amazing and highly suggest you try it if you haven’t already.We've also got some great deals, important activism updates, and a few final chances to support a beloved local restaurant.

Odd Burger is celebrating its Canadian roots with a poutine discount, while La Bartola’s farewell tasting menu is still available until March 15.

On the activism front, Animal Justice is pushing for the passage of Bill C-355 to end live horse exports for slaughter, and PETA scientists are calling out bias against non-animal research methods.

Check out upcoming events, from a vegan restaurant meetup to an axe-throwing social, and mark your calendars for major happenings later this spring. to the Toronto Vegan Insider

Week of Mar 6 - 12:

News:

• 🍟 Odd Burger Poutine Deal
  📅 Date: Friday, March 7 – Thursday, March 13, 2025
  📍 Location: Participating Odd Burger locations & Odd app

  🇨🇦 In celebration of being a Canadian company, Odd Burger is offering 25% off all poutine for one week! The deal is available in-store and on the Odd app—don’t miss out. Terms apply.

• ​In Episode 65 of The Vegan Report Podcast, Miyoko Schinner, a renowned vegan chef and entrepreneur, discusses the implications of the lab-grown meat industry on vegan advocacy. She argues that the financial success of lab-grown meat should not be equated with progress in the vegan movement, urging a critical examination of its impact on the global food system and the marketing of plant-based diets. To listen to the full episode, visit The Vegan Report Podcast on iHeartRadio.

• Last we announced the closing of La Bartola, a cherished vegan Mexican restaurant on March 15. As a reminder, to mark the occasion, Chef Ivan has launched One Night in Oaxaca, a special seven-course tasting menu featuring dishes like Hoja Santa Tamal with Mole Negro and Oaxacan chocolate ice cream. There’s still time to show your support and enjoy this farewell menu before La Bartola says goodbye!

Events:

• 🧠 Critical Perspectives on Animals and Colonialism Lecture Series
  📅 Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
  ⏰ Time: 12:00 PM EST
  🌐 Location: Online event
  🔗 Registration: Meetup Event Page​

  This virtual lecture series delves into the intersections of animal rights and colonialism, exploring topics such as the relationship between veganism and decolonization, and the impact of habitat destruction on various animal species. Organized by Alexandra Isfahani-Hammond (University of California, San Diego) and Federica Timeto (Ca’Foscari University, Venice), the series features interdisciplinary and transnational perspectives. The lectures are free and open to all upon registration.

• 🥢 Green's Veg Restaurant Meetup
  📅 Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
  ⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
  📍 Location: Green's Vegetarian Restaurant, 638 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON
  🔗 Event details: Meetup Event Page

  Join fellow vegans for a delightful lunch at Green's Vegetarian Restaurant, a favourite spot in the vegan community. Enjoy a pleasant atmosphere with comfortable seating, plants, and good lighting. The menu offers well-liked dishes at reasonable prices. The hospitable owners look forward to welcoming the group. Let's start the Saturday with a good turnout!

• 🪓 Axe Throwing with Vegans!
  📅 Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025
  ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  📍 Location: BATL (Backyard Axe Throwing League), 30 Weston Road Unit C109, Toronto, ON
  💲 Cost: $49.99 + tax and tip (includes one drink)
  🔗 Event details

  Join fellow vegans for an exciting afternoon of axe throwing! The event includes a round-robin tournament, with top players advancing to playoffs. Additional games like shuffleboard, foosball, cornhole, darts, and pool are available on-site. Participants are encouraged to bring vegan snacks for a potluck; nearby options include Healthy Planet and Nations for last-minute purchases. A well-stocked bar offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Payments can be made at the end of the event via cash, credit, or debit.​

Activism:

• Animal Justice is urging the Senate to pass Bill C-355, which would ban the export of live horses from Canada for slaughter. Every year, thousands of horses endure long, inhumane flights to Japan in cramped wooden crates without food, water, or rest, often exceeding legal time limits. Investigations have exposed injuries, illnesses, and even deaths during transport. Despite a federal promise to end the practice in 2021, it continues. The bill, introduced in 2023, passed the House of Commons in May 2024 but is now stalled in the Senate. Animal Justice is calling on Canadians to contact Senators and push for its swift approval to prevent further suffering.

The Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025

World Vegan News:

• PETA Scientists Reveal Bias Against Non-Animal Research Methods

  A recent study by PETA scientists indicates that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other funding bodies may exhibit a bias against non-animal research methods. This bias potentially hinders the development and acceptance of humane, human-relevant scientific approaches.

  The study suggests that despite advancements in alternatives to animal testing—such as in vitro cell culture techniques and in silico computer simulations—these methods may face challenges in funding and implementation due to entrenched preferences for traditional animal-based experiments. ​

  Addressing this bias is crucial for the advancement of ethical and effective scientific research methodologies.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• 🇬🇧 HunsBrunch: A British-Themed Vegan Drag Brunch
  📅 Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  📍 Location: Houndstooth Bar, 818 College St
  🎟️ Tickets: $60 per person (sold in tables of 2, 3, 4, or 6) – Get tickets here

  🍽️ Enjoy a 3-course vegan brunch, a free drink, and a chance to win a door prize raffle, all while watching a fabulous drag performance! Featuring dessert by Bad Attitude Bread and catering by Chef Mustard (head chef of a popular local vegan spot). 🌈 Don’t miss this exciting event supporting queer artists and local businesses!

• 🚶‍♀️ 3rd Annual Anti-Vivisection Walk
  📅 Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
  ⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
  📍 Location: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St, Toronto
  🔗 Event details: Facebook Event Page

  Join this annual walk to raise awareness about animal testing and vivisection. The event aims to educate and advocate for cruelty-free alternatives while fostering a compassionate community.

• Planted Expo Toronto 2025: Canada's Largest Plant-Based Event
  📅 Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 AM
  📍 Location: Enercare Centre, Toronto 

  🎟️ : Planted Expo Tickets

  Planted Expo Toronto is confirmed for May 10, 2025. Note: There will be no BC edition this year. Discover over 200 plant-based, vegan, and sustainable exhibitors, brands, and services at this family-friendly event. Hear from insightful speakers and explore a variety of products and services.

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