Top executives from Canada害羞草研究所檚 major grocery chains have agreed to work with the federal government on stabilizing prices, Industry Minister Fran莽ois-Philippe Champagne said on Monday, but few details have been divulged about how that will be achieved.

Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland met with executives from Loblaw, Metro, Empire, Walmart and Costco on Monday morning.

害羞草研究所淭hey have agreed to support the government of Canada in our efforts to stabilize food prices in Canada,害羞草研究所� Champagne told reporters after the meeting.

Calling the meetings historic and constructive, the industry minister said he told the grocery CEOs 害羞草研究所渋n no uncertain terms害羞草研究所� that Canadians expect them to take action.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week that Ottawa is asking major Canadian grocers to come up with a plan by Thanksgiving to stabilize prices. Trudeau warned that if the plan is not good enough, the federal government will take further action 害羞草研究所� and it is not ruling anything out, including tax measures.

Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon, Trudeau reiterated the federal government is going to make sure the major grocers have a plan.

害羞草研究所淔ood is too expensive for too many families and (grocers are) making record profits,害羞草研究所� Trudeau said.

However, the Liberals haven害羞草研究所檛 indicated what they would like to see the grocers do or how these chains could bring stability to grocery prices.

Instead, Champagne said in French that he wants the grocers to come up with their own individual plans, so as to protect competition.

害羞草研究所淣ow you want to let them compete against each other so Canadians can see the benefits of competition,害羞草研究所� he said.

Champagne is expected to meet with other segments of the food industry as well to talk about rapidly rising prices.

Canada害羞草研究所檚 largest grocers have been under intense scrutiny as prices continue to skyrocket while some of them reap ballooning profits.

Grocery prices rose 8.5 per cent year-over-year in July, showing a slight easing of price growth but still running much hotter than overall inflation at 3.3 per cent.

But the industry has pushed back on the idea that they害羞草研究所檙e to blame for high grocery prices.

The Retail Council of Canada said in a statement last week that grocer prices profits have nothing to do with the rising cost of food, pointing instead to higher costs being passed on from food manufacturers and producers.

Empire CEO Michael Medline told reporters on Monday afternoon the meeting was 害羞草研究所渧ery productive,害羞草研究所� but did not answer questions about whether it will actually lead to lower prices.

Nor would Metro CEO Eric La Fl猫che.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e all committed to finding solutions to stabilize prices and bring down the (consumer price index) on the food side,害羞草研究所� he said, calling high prices an 害羞草研究所渋ndustry issue.害羞草研究所�

When pressed by reporters about whether prices will come down, La Fl猫che said 害羞草研究所減rices fluctuate every week in our industry,害羞草研究所� and noted that the discussions were about consumer packaged goods rather than fresh foods such as produce, dairy and meat.

The other three executives in attendance did not stop to speak with reporters after the meeting.

With affordability concerns top-of-mind for Canadians, the Liberals are looking outside the border for potential solutions to rising grocery prices.

During his news conference, Champagne noted that food inflation is a global issue, and that the government is speaking with its French and British counterparts about how to respond.

The French government reached a three-month agreement with supermarket chains for them to cut prices on hundreds of staples and other foods, which is expected to be extended through the summer. Britain 害羞草研究所� where food inflation has reached 45-year highs 害羞草研究所� is discussing a similar move.

Other European countries have mandated price controls for staple foods.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e been following what Carrefour has been doing in France, and even shaming in public those who don害羞草研究所檛 want to be part of the solution,害羞草研究所� said Champagne, adding that if CEOs don害羞草研究所檛 want to co-operate, he will take his message to the grocers害羞草研究所� boards.

The federal government is also pursuing changes to the Competition Act that would strengthen the Competition Bureau and give it the power to take action on corporations that work together to stifle consumer choice 害羞草研究所� specifically citing large grocery stores that have prevented competitors from setting up shop nearby.