(Ottawa) The New Democratic Party (NDP) wants the federal government to impose a price ceiling on basic products in grocery stores if it cannot convince grocers to lower their prices themselves.
In Europe, some countries have implemented similar measures and, although Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said he has studied this issue, he does not think it is a good idea.
“You have raw materials that are traded globally. So think about sugar, think about wheat, how can you get a price in a particular region? “, he said on Tuesday.
“But I think the best way to do that is to continue to put pressure on grocers, on big manufacturers around the world, and increase competition. »
For several months, the Liberals have been trying to get Canada’s large grocers to sign a code of conduct which, according to them, will lower food prices.
Minister Champagne even revealed that he is seeking to court a foreign grocer to enter the Canadian market, in order to improve competition.
“I think it would boost the market and get better prices,” he argued.
The cost of some food items has fallen recently due to a slight drop in inflation, but New Democrats argue that prices have not fallen as much as they have risen over the past three years.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is exasperated to see Canadians being duped by big companies, who he says continue to drive up prices.
In April, some consumers boycotted Loblaw, accusing the grocery giant of raising prices.