food prices

Canadian grocery prices rose 27 per cent between 2020 and 2025, outpacing the rate of inflation. Four companies control 75 per cent of the Canadian grocery market. Public and non-profit stores could help; however, the whole food system needs fixing, say experts, much like housing; Canadians need and want more options.

Now, as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs take effect, experts warn that grocery prices in Canada could once again spike. It’s worth noting that stabilizing prices won’t undo the price hikes Canadians had already endured, said Keldon Bester from the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project.

Keldon Bester and Vass Bednar discuss groceries to air travel to phone providers, many services in Canada are controlled by just a handful of companies. They look at why that lack of competition has been able to take hold, and what can be done to get a better deal for consumers.

The price of food keeps rising. And for the last few years, we’ve had a national debate about whether or not that’s the fault of the mega grocery chains. But the CEOs of Loblaws, Metro and Sobeys claim that it’s not their fault. We should be looking further up the food chain for the real culprits.

A text blast campaign from Loblaw-owned No Frills encouraging customers to buy local produce at the store instead of a farmers' market wasn't well received by many shoppers or farmers.

A month-long boycott of Loblaws stores begins: But will it make a difference? Keldon Bester is the Executive Director of the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project. Eric Wickham is a freelancer with The Hoser.