CAMP statement on Empire's property control commitments

July 21 2026 [Ottawa, ON] –  The Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project (CAMP) welcomes Empire Company Limited’s decision to stop using or enforcing several property controls that can restrict grocery competition, while calling for continued oversight and broader action across the sector. 

Empire, the parent company of Sobeys, says it will no longer register or enforce restrictive covenants on properties, will stop using radius clauses, and will end certain exclusivity clauses that restrict specialty food retailers. The company has also committed to limiting the geography, product scope and duration of exclusivity provisions in future grocery leases.  

“This is a welcome development. Property controls have restricted grocery competition in communities across the country at a time when Canadians need more choice and competition, not less,” said Keldon Bester, Executive Director of the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project. 

“Scrutiny is paying off, but voluntary commitments need accountability. For these changes to be effective, Empire should commit to transparent reporting and full cooperation with Competition Bureau oversight so Canadians can see whether Empire is walking the walk and opening up more opportunities for competitors to enter local grocery markets.” 

The move follows increased scrutiny from regulators and governments. The Competition Bureau broadened its investigation into Empire’s use of property controls last month through a Federal Court order, after identifying property controls as a potential barrier to grocery competition in its earlier market study. Earlier this year, the Manitoba government moved to ban property controls and restrictive covenants in the grocery market. 

“Property controls are not limited to one company or one province,” Bester said. “A broader response from provincial governments is still needed. Provinces should ensure controls like these cannot be used to unnecessarily prevent new competitors in grocery and other markets from entering communities. Canadians should not have to rely on voluntary commitments from individual grocers to get the benefits of greater competition.”