‘Faced with consumer backlash over the rising cost of food, it’s no surprise that politicians feel pressured to do something.’ – Kristy Nudds.

Editorial: Food and politics don’t mix

I admit that I snickered a little at the prime ministers’ ultimatum to Canadian grocers last month, demanding they find a way to stabilize grocery prices. Faced with consumer backlash over the rising cost of food, it’s no surprise that politicians feel pressured to do something. But the prime minister’s demand shows us that politicians […] Read more

Jan Westcott explains to Collingwood community business associations and owners the importance of lobbying for spirit sales within grocery stores and the positive ripple effect it will have on smaller rural communities where the distiller grains are grown and processed.

Spirits Canada appealing to rural communities

Organization pitches economic development as benefit of spirits in grocery stores

Spirits Canada’s rural tour campaign to support equity in grocery sales access is getting ‘spirited’ agriculture support. “Many people don’t understand what it means to not see locally made spirits in a grocery store,” said Spirit Canada’s president and CEO, Jan Westcott. “It’s not just that you can’t get a bottle of whiskey or vodka […] Read more

Galen Weston Jr., chair and president of Loblaw Companies Ltd., and Michael Medline, president and chief executive officer of Empire Company Ltd., was one of several grocery executives who appeared before a committee on Parliament Hill in early March.

Opinion: Keep political bitterness out of Canadian food

Examination of food price inflation offers opportunity for government to explain the components of food pricing

Glacier Farmmedia – Some things are more apparent than real. If the price of food jumps by 15 or 20 per cent due to rising global inflation, it is assumed the difference between today’s price and last year’s price is in someone’s pocket. But whose? Canadian politicians have an opportunity to explain the components of […] Read more

grocery shopping

Work on grocery code of conduct extended

Code intended to smooth relations between retailers and suppliers, but work has been contentious

A Canadian grocery industry code of conduct is still months away after the steering committee asked agricultural ministers for another extension to complete its work. The committee reported to the July annual meeting of the country’s agriculture ministers in Saskatoon that it had made progress, but key issues remained unresolved. Why it matters: The intent […] Read more


A federal-provincial working group was formed late last year in response to complaints from suppliers that grocery retailers are continually imposing arbitrary fees and fines.

Industry-led Code of Conduct for retailers on horizon

Provincial agriculture ministers encourage industry collaboration to find solution

A report from the federal-provincial working group says the retail sector has levied an increasing number of fees on suppliers, and is proposing the formation of a code of conduct as a potential solution. Canada’s agriculture ministers are now calling on industry to lead the process. They formed the working group to study the issue […] Read more

Dairy groups call for provinces to oversee grocery code of conduct

Dairy groups call for provinces to oversee grocery code of conduct

Retailer demands are raising costs for consumers and making some suppliers uncompetitive

Canada’s dairy industry is asking for provinces to oversee a code of practice for grocery retailers.  In a letter to federal ministers, leaders from dairy groups say the “best solution” to “arbitrary fees and deductions” would be through “the development of provincial codes that are legislated, mandatory and enforceable.”  Why it matters: Fees charged to […] Read more

(WineBC.org)

WTO panel to examine U.S. complaint on B.C. wine sale rules

Geneva | Reuters — The World Trade Organization set up a dispute panel on Friday to rule on a U.S. complaint against restrictions in British Columbia on wine sales in grocery stores, a WTO official said. In line with WTO rules, the decision was taken after Canada made its second request at a closed-door meeting […] Read more


(British Columbia Wine Institute photo)

B.C. to defend wine industry against U.S. trade action

Vancouver | Reuters — The British Columbia government said Wednesday it would defend its wine industry against a trade challenge from the U.S., and was confident it was not breaking any international trade rules. Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. said it started action against Canada at the World Trade Organization, accusing B.C. of discriminating against U.S. […] Read more