Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Oct, 2023 09:48 AM
  • Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

A House of Commons committee is asking the heads of Canada's major grocery chains to appear before MPs and explain their plans to stabilize food prices.  

The agriculture committee passed an NDP motion on Thursday to invite the grocery executives, or summon them if necessary, to testify about the measures their companies are taking to address food inflation.

Earlier this fall, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the companies had presented to the government their plans to tackle rising prices, which he says included discounts, price freezes and price-matching campaigns. 

However, Champagne offered few details about these promotions and most grocers have not confirmed details of their plans. 

According to the motion, the parliamentary committee is asking the grocers to submit "a comprehensive report on their strategies and initiatives taken to date and on further actions aimed at the stabilization of grocery prices in Canada." The deadline for the submissions is Nov. 2. 

It is also inviting Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to appear before committee to answer questions.

The Canadian Press asked the grocers earlier this month for more details on their pledges to the federal government. Loblaw and Costco did not respond and Metro declined to comment. 

A spokeswoman for Walmart said the company promised to continue offering "everyday low prices," which refers to its strategy of offering low prices on a regular basis, rather than on promotion only. 

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Sobeys, which is owned by Empire, responded said the company isn’t disclosing its plan for competitive reasons. 

"Our plans are competitively sensitive and we do not plan to discuss them before they are launched in our stores," said Karen White-Boswell, Empire’s director of external communications. 

In an interview with The Canadian Press on Oct. 16, Champagne said he wishes the grocers were "more forthcoming" about their plans.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Burnaby homes gutted by fire

Burnaby homes gutted by fire
Four unoccupied homes have been badly damaged after an early morning fire in Burnaby.  Fire officials say that the homes were slated for demolition. Summers says they needed 42 firefighters and 11 trucks to knock down the blaze.

Burnaby homes gutted by fire

B.C. man, Mukhtiar Singh Panghali, who killed his pregnant wife in 2006 is granted full parole

B.C. man, Mukhtiar Singh Panghali, who killed his pregnant wife in 2006 is granted full parole
A British Columbia man who killed his pregnant wife and burned her body in 2006 has been granted full parole. Mukhtiar Singh Panghali, who's now 51 years old, was given a life sentence in 2011 for second-degree murder in the death of Manjit Panghali.

B.C. man, Mukhtiar Singh Panghali, who killed his pregnant wife in 2006 is granted full parole

RCMP say 12-year-old killed while biking to school in Pitt Meadows

RCMP say 12-year-old killed while biking to school in Pitt Meadows
Police in Metro Vancouver say a 12-year-old was hit and killed by a recycling truck while biking to school this week. The RCMP say they're investigating the collision that occurred at an intersection in Pitt Meadows, B.C., around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. They say paramedics and Pitt Meadows firefighters tried to save the child's life, but the young victim was pronounced dead at the scene. 

RCMP say 12-year-old killed while biking to school in Pitt Meadows

First atmospheric river of fall deluges parts of B.C. south coast, southern Interior

First atmospheric river of fall deluges parts of B.C. south coast, southern Interior
Rainfall warnings cover most of Vancouver Island, as well as the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Whistler and Metro Vancouver as Environment Canada pinpoints a firehose-like band pumping moisture from the subtropics directly at the B.C. coast. More than 200 millimetres of rain could fall along sections of western Vancouver Island, while 80 to 110 millimetres are forecast across the Howe Sound, Whistler and Sea-to-Sky regions before the storm is expected to ease late in the day.

First atmospheric river of fall deluges parts of B.C. south coast, southern Interior

Trudeau chides Smith for pension exit debate, promises to defend stability of CPP

Trudeau chides Smith for pension exit debate, promises to defend stability of CPP
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau entered the Alberta pension-exit debate Wednesday, saying the federal government will fight any threat to the stability of the Canada Pension Plan. In an open letter to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Trudeau also took her to task for launching the debate in the first place.  

Trudeau chides Smith for pension exit debate, promises to defend stability of CPP

DARPAN Awards 2023 A Night To Cherish

DARPAN Awards 2023 A Night To Cherish
The 2023 DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards was a night of sheer enchantment. The event's red carpet was abuzz with prominent figures from the community, distinguished political leaders, and esteemed socialities. 

DARPAN Awards 2023 A Night To Cherish