A House of Commons committee is asking the heads of Canada害羞草研究所檚 major grocery chains to appear before MPs and explain their plans to stabilize food prices.
The agriculture committee passed an NDP motion last 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 害羞草研究所渁 comprehensive report on their strategies and initiatives taken to date and on further actions aimed at the stabilization of grocery prices in Canada.害羞草研究所� 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 害羞草研究所渆veryday low prices,害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所檛 disclosing its plan for competitive reasons.
害羞草研究所淥ur plans are competitively sensitive and we do not plan to discuss them before they are launched in our stores,害羞草研究所� said Karen White-Boswell, Empire害羞草研究所檚 director of external communications.
In an interview with The Canadian Press on Oct. 16, Champagne said he wishes the grocers were 害羞草研究所渕ore forthcoming害羞草研究所� about their plans.
The federal government is taking other steps aimed at addressing high grocery prices.
On Tuesday, Champagne announced more funding for non-profit consumer advocacy organizations to help fund projects that focus on retail practices that hurt consumers, and on the development of tools that help consumers make informed decisions and save costs.
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