Mobile sugar shack's been bringing sweet tradition to northern Ontario students for 35 years

For over 35 years, Denis Vien has shared the sweet tradition of maple syrup with schools across northeastern Ontario through his business, Le Bec Sucré or Sweet Tooth.

The Timmins entrepreneur drives his mobile trailer to make syrup on site, transforming schoolyards into makeshift sugar shacks, where the highlight for the kids is definitely hot syrup poured over fresh snow and twirled into taffy on a wooden stick.

Vien launched his maple syrup business after the La Ronde Cultural Center asked him to create a sugar shack experience for its winter carnival. Drawing on his family's expertise in maple syrup production in Quebec, he agreed to give it a try. 

"The business started from there. After that, the schools started to call me," Vien said. 

What began as a one-time event quickly expanded. Schools across the region started reaching out, eager to bring the experience to their students.

A late introduction to a Canadian tradition

Vien didn't grow up with maple syrup. Born in British Columbia, he moved to Timmins as a child but didn't taste maple syrup until he was in his 30s.

"I noticed that if I started at 30 years old eating maple syrup, it would be nice to show the kids today where this product is really coming from," he said.

His school visits became a hands-on learning experience, teaching kids about the tools used in sugar bushes, the ideal temperatures for sap collection and the process of boiling syrup.

Vien's setup evolved over the years. At first, he worked from a tent, much like an ice fishing shelter, boiling syrup over burners. Eventually, he upgraded to a Boler trailer that has become a familiar sight for students across Timmins, Cochrane, Chapleau, Foleyet and other northern Ontario communities.

"They're all happy to see me," he said. "They know my little Boler."

Looking for the right successor

Vien has spent nearly four decades visiting schools, but he's preparing for retirement, turning 80 this year.

"I think after 36 years of it, sometimes freezing my fingers… I thought it would be a good ending when I'm 80 years old."

Until then, Vien will continue rolling into schools across northern Ontario, ensuring that another generation of kids gets to experience one of Canada's sweetest traditions.

"Seeing their faces, tasting the great maple syrup on snow, it just brings me happiness."