North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney seconded federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s private member’s bill calling on the federal government to lower grocery prices for Canadians. The bill is aimed at ensuring Canadians are not subjected to price gouging at the grocery store, and ultimately bringing down the cost of food.
The proposed bill will increase penalties handed out for price fixing, protect small grocery stores from anti-competitive tactics from large chains and increase the competition bureau’s powers to crack down on price gouging abuse, according to a media release from Blaney. Food inflation in August remains at 6.9 per cent, well above the overall inflation rate of four per cent and families in Canada are struggling to keep up with the increasing cost of groceries, the release stated.
“People in North Island-Powell River and across Canada can’t afford basic necessities while CEOs continue to get richer; clearly the process is broken,” stated Blaney. “We need to put the needs of everyday people front and centre while addressing inflation.”
Both the Liberals and Conservatives have repeatedly voted in favour of grocery store CEOs, refusing to hold them accountable for the ever-increasing cost of living, the release stated.
“Despite the fact that Canadians are working hard, families are falling further behind,” added Blaney. “We are tired of seeing CEO’s profits continually increase while we are being gouged on our grocery bills. Canadians deserve a break. This bill will protect people in this riding and across Canada from corporate self-interest.”
The NDP is seeking support for the bill with an online petition.
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