Â鶹ӰÊÓ

Politics

    • Major retailers must sign grocery code of conduct, federal agriculture minister says

    Share

    Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay wouldn't rule out the possibility of provincial or federal government intervention if the grocery code of conduct doesn't have every major retailer on board.

    In an interview, MacAulay said Thursday he will meet next week with federal Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and provincial ministers to discuss options for both provincial and federal governments if the major grocers don't sign the code.

    "Perhaps some changes have to be made," he said.

    MacAulay and Quebec Agriculture Minister Andre Lamontagne have expressed their disappointment to see the grocery code of conduct has still not been launched after years of work, with some "supply chain partners" hesitant to sign on.

    In a statement Thursday, the ministers said the major grocers need to adopt and adhere to the code, and said in the coming days, they will be "reviewing all possible options available to us."

    "Two years of evaluating the situation would seem to me to be long enough," MacAulay said. "It's time to move on. Let's get the code signed."

    At a House of Commons agriculture committee meeting in Ottawa on Thursday on stabilizing food prices, members of Parliament pressed Walmart Canada CEO Gonzalo Gebara and Loblaw chairman Galen Weston on why their companies have not yet signed the code.

    Bloc Quebecois MP Yves Perron accused both companies of "sabotaging" the development of the code.

    Gebara said his company has participated in the development of the code, but is "not in a position at this time to commit" to it.

    In the current version of the code, "there's provisions that create bureaucracy and cost, cost that will inevitably end up on shelf prices," he said.

    Weston said Loblaw will sign the code, but not in its current form.

    In a Nov. 1 letter sent to members of both the steering committee developing the code and the industry subcommittee, Loblaw said it's worried the code could "raise food prices for Canadians by more than $1 billion," a figure Weston stood by on Thursday.

    Weston told MPs on Thursday he's concerned the code will give too much power in negotiations to large multinational manufacturers. Many manufacturers, he said, are already "signalling or submitting higher than expected cost increases for next year."

    "We were able to push back on 18 per cent of what we believed ... to be unjustified cost increases across the industry last year. Based on the way the code is drafted today, we will be severely restricted in terms of our ability to do that."

    Michael Graydon, CEO of the Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada association and chairman of the interim board of directors of the grocery code of conduct, said Thursday that the code is "fundamentally done."

    He praised the statement from the ministers, calling it "much overdue."

    Graydon said the working group responded to Loblaw with what he believes are "very strong responses as to why the provisions they want changed fundamentally can't be changed."

    He said Loblaw's requested changes "would fundamentally neuter the code's ability" to improve how business is done in the grocery industry.

    "They want to continue to have unilateral decision power. Well, that is fundamentally why we need a code."

    Graydon, who was co-chair of the steering committee developing the code, said it's not yet clear whether Loblaw, Walmart or Costco will sign the code.

    Costco did not respond to a request for comment.

    Gary Sands, a member of the interim board and senior vice-president at the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, said the ministers' statement was a "good first step."

    "I think it sends a clear message to everyone that there's an expectation on the part of governments that they want the entire industry to support this code," he said.

    The grocers have also been under pressure from Ottawa to provide plans to stabilize food prices at their stores. The government summoned the heads of Loblaw, Metro, Empire, Walmart Canada and Costco to present their plans earlier this fall.

    Weston told MPs that that meeting with Champagne resulted in "materially lower prices" for 35 often-purchased items and categories, like milk, butter, eggs and chicken.

    "We're delivering these savings through the pricing and promotional programs that customers understand and respond best to. They are making a difference," he said.

    Gebara said through periods of high inflation, Walmart continues to hold or lower prices where possible, sometimes absorbing or pushing back on cost increases from suppliers. He said the grocer has launched several programs that resulted in lower prices, such as offering Thanksgiving meals at lower prices than last year.

    On Monday, Empire Co. Ltd. CEO Michael Medline said his company, which owns Sobeys, has expanded its annual November-to-January price freeze.

    "We also have meaningful plans and development to help stabilize food prices past January, but will not discuss these publicly as they remained commercially and competitively sensitive until launched in our stores," Medline told the agriculture committee.

    -- With files from Nojoud Al Mallees in Ottawa.

    This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2023.

    IN DEPTH

    Opinion

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

    A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

    When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by Â鶹ӰÊÓ Toronto show.

    DEVELOPING

    DEVELOPING

    At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.

    Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.

    Canada

    • The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.

    • The federal Fisheries Department says it is concerned about a "pattern" of violence and threats toward its enforcement officers after two tense incidents off southwestern Nova Scotia last month.

    • The owner of a Gatineau, Que. café says it's 'silly' that Quebec's language watchdog is telling the business to write its Instagram posts in French.

    • A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by Â鶹ӰÊÓ Toronto show.

    • DEVELOPING

      DEVELOPING

      At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.

    World

    Politics

    Health

    • Staff at Saskatoon's Royal University Hospital are calling for systemic changes just two days after its emergency room was more than three times above its capacity.

    • An Ontario child has died after coming in contact with a rabid bat, a health official confirmed on Wednesday.

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    • A five-seat sushi counter located inside another restaurant is the latest Vancouver eatery to receive a Michelin star.

    • What does New Westminster's tÉ™mÉ™sewÌ“txÊ· Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

    Sports

    Autos

    • A Pickering, Ont., student going to college to be a mechanic is shocked the engine in his two-year-old car will not be repaired under warranty after the dealership claimed he had been 'over-revving' the engine.

    • A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

    Local Spotlight

    Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

    From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

    A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

    The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

    A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

    Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

    What does New Westminster's təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

    The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

    New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.

    • A Vancouver tenant is at war with his former landlord over what he calls an exorbitant charge for bent blinds.

    • A five-seat sushi counter located inside another restaurant is the latest Vancouver eatery to receive a Michelin star.

    • One week ahead of advance voting and there is no clear lead among the B.C. New Democratic Party, Conservative Party and Green Party, poll finds

    • A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by Â鶹ӰÊÓ Toronto show.

    • Police forces in the Toronto area have stepped up their presence in Jewish and Muslim communities as the one-year anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel inches closer.

    • A DoorDash driver who was caught on camera appearing to spit into an Ontario man’s drink has been removed from the platform, the food delivery company has confirmed.

    • Martha Hart, the widow of wrestler Owen Hart, is speaking out after the release of Netflix's 'Mr. McMahon' documentary series, which she says inaccurately portrays her husband's death as an accident.

    • Authorities say two Calgarians were arrested and charged in "a complex scheme" involving stolen vehicles.

    • An annual ceremony is bringing together the families and friends of missing and murdered Indigenous people in hopes of raising awareness about the issue.

    • The owner of a Gatineau, Que. café says it's 'silly' that Quebec's language watchdog is telling the business to write its Instagram posts in French.

    • There was a decrease in the amount of waste heading to the City of Ottawa's landfill in the two months leading up to the city's new three-item garbage limit.

    • A man is being treated for life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle while cycling in Ottawa's south-west end.

    • DEVELOPING

      DEVELOPING

      At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.

    • Classes and campus activities at CEGEP de Valleyfield were cancelled Friday morning as a result of a police operation.

    • Public transport users who regularly use Fabre, d'Iberville and Saint-Michel stations on the Montreal metro's blue line will have to be patient, as the emergency closure of the three stations announced on Thursday evening could stretch out over 'a few days, or even a few weeks.'

    • Edmonton mayor, Amarjeet Sohi, discusses his Fair Compensation Project with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins.

    • An Edmonton hot tub repairman who was the subject of a previous Â鶹ӰÊÓ Edmonton report has been charged with fraud.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      There'll be a few more leaves knocked off trees today and tomorrow as a low-pressure system makes it's way east across the province.

    • The federal Fisheries Department says it is concerned about a "pattern" of violence and threats toward its enforcement officers after two tense incidents off southwestern Nova Scotia last month.

    • A 31-year-old man is facing theft and break-in charges in connection to a vandalism incident at the Fredericton Public Library that caused tens of thousands of dollars of damages over the weekend.

    • A 28-year-old Nova Scotia man is facing a child pornography charge following a New Brunswick RCMP investigation.

    • The Opposition Tories introduced a motion to get the justice system to take another look at the case of Jordyn Reimer.

    • Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

    • With food waste drop-off stations to soon open in Winnipeg, residents can now begin to prepare their food scraps.

    • RCMP say fraudsters are continuing to ask for gas money before selling fake gold jewelry to people around Saskatchewan.

    • Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe says if re-elected, his government would introduce a Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit aimed at making renovations more affordable.

    • As pressure grows on the oil and gas sector to reduce its emissions, one Calgary-based company is banking on the potential to convert waste gas from oil wells into valuable electricity for nearby communities.

    • Waterloo Regional Police have laid charges after a car crashed into the side of a Kitchener home at 3:30 a.m.

    • A DoorDash driver who was caught on camera appearing to spit into an Ontario man’s drink has been removed from the platform, the food delivery company has confirmed.

    • The Region of Waterloo Is considering extending funding for the hybrid shelter on Erbs Road.

    • The mayor of Loon Lake is appealing to both provincial and federal government leaders for assistance in dealing with rising crime in the village, which has seen an increase in vandalism, theft, and property damage.

    • As pressure grows on the oil and gas sector to reduce its emissions, one Calgary-based company is banking on the potential to convert waste gas from oil wells into valuable electricity for nearby communities.

    • Staff at Saskatoon's Royal University Hospital are calling for systemic changes just two days after its emergency room was more than three times above its capacity.

    • A motorcyclist is left with serious, life-altering injuries after a crash on Highway 11 in northern Ontario on Wednesday morning.

    • Two more Elliot Lake teens have been charged in connection to the break-in at the local arena last week and are accused of causing more than $50,000 in damage.

    • An outfitter in Kenora, Ont., and two individuals have been fined a total of $9,500 for bear hunting offences, including abandoning a bear they shot and using it as bait to hunt another bear.

    • According to police, officers responded to the 600 block of Tennent Avenue for a, "report of a possible stabbing" around 9 p.m. on Thursday.

    • Breaking

      Breaking

      A London, Ont. man, who pleaded guilty earlier this year in a harassment case, has been sentenced to two months in jail for criminal harassment of a Windsor, Ont. family.

    • Middlesex OPP have shuttered a road between Mount Brydges and Komoka today - Amiens Drive is currently closed between Glendon Drive and Oriole Drive.

    • The Ministry of Labour is investigating a workplace incident that claimed the lives of two people in Georgian Bluffs, south of Owen Sound.

    • A Midland woman is facing several charges after police say she bit an officer while being arrested for an alleged armed confrontation.

    • An Orillia man faces an additional criminal charge as part of an internet child exploitation investigation that included a search of the accused's residence in June and several items confiscated as evidence.

    • Breaking

      Breaking

      A London, Ont. man, who pleaded guilty earlier this year in a harassment case, has been sentenced to two months in jail for criminal harassment of a Windsor, Ont. family.

    • Brian Masse, Windsor-West’s Member of Parliament (MP), stood before the House of Commons on Friday, criticizing the eased hazardous material restrictions at the Ambassador Bridge.

    • County Road 37 between County road 14 and Mersea road 10, was reported closed around 6:45 a.m. following a crash involving a tractor trailer and a pickup truck.

    • Politicians are continuing to promote their promises across British Columbia as the provincial election campaign nears its midway point.

    • One person is dead after a floatplane carrying three people crashed Wednesday evening in a remote inlet on British Columbia's central coast.

    • A five-seat sushi counter located inside another restaurant is the latest Vancouver eatery to receive a Michelin star.

    • Three young suspects have been arrested in connection with a swarming attack on a teenager in B.C.'s Okanagan last week – and authorities have asked the public to stop circulating disturbing videos of the incident.

    • A father in Kelowna is furious after his 13-year-old daughter was brutally beaten on Gyro Beach. He is calling for criminal charges in the devastating attack, which was caught on video by multiple bystanders.

    • The officer who shot and killed a forcible confinement suspect in Kamloops two years ago was justified in doing so, according to the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.

    • WestJet has changed its operations at the Lethbridge Airport, and it means there's now only a single daily flight from Lethbridge to Calgary, down from three flights a day, as offered previously.

    • Archie's Exotic Pet Rescue has been open about six years and, like many other animal rescues, it has seen a surge in surrenders.

    • It’s almost deadline day for Lethbridge residents interested in becoming members of one of the city’s boards, commissions and committees (BCCs).

    • An outfitter in Kenora, Ont., and two individuals have been fined a total of $9,500 for bear hunting offences, including abandoning a bear they shot and using it as bait to hunt another bear.

    • Two more Elliot Lake teens have been charged in connection to the break-in at the local arena last week and are accused of causing more than $50,000 in damage.

    • The jury has been sent to deliberate its verdict in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial Friday afternoon after lengthy instructions from the judge.

    N.L.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹ӰÊÓ