Alberta NDP wants investigation into rising grocery prices

The Alberta Opposition NDP is calling for a provincial government-led investigation into skyrocketing grocery prices to determine if price gouging is happening.

“Albertans are facing an affordability crisis not seen in 40 years,” said Heather Sweet, NDP’s agriculture and rural economic development critic. “They’ve seen prices skyrocket on everything from gas prices, utility fees, and housing, but nothing reminds them more on a daily basis of just how expensive things have gotten than the price of food.”

Sweet says she’s heard from Alberta producers who say they are not reaping the rewards of the high prices at the grocery store.

“Right now, we see in Alberta that our producers and Albertans are not seeing the value of the increases that are happening with our grocery prices,” said Sweet. “So if producers are not seeing it, and Albertans are paying more, then where is the money going? And who is actually benefiting?

“We need to investigate at a provincial level and protect both our producers and our consumers.”

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An investigation into grocery price gouging is already happening at a national level with the Competition Bureau of Canada.

Sylvain Charlebois, the director at the Agri-Foods Anayltics Lab at Dalhousie University, says he’s unsure if an Alberta investigation would be worthwhile.

“Alberta trades with other provinces and I think it’s important to look at the entire system and trades as well,” said Charlebois. “Just looking at the provincial situation would be to politicize food inflation once again. I think what needs to happen here at the end of the day is to investigate exactly what is going on at retail to see if any profiteering is going on, basically taking advantage of consumers.”

The Alberta NDP still believes policy measures specific to the provincial government should be explored and wants to see more competition amongst grocers in Alberta.

“The Ministry of Affordability and Utilities was created to support all Albertans,” Matt Jones, the minister of affordability and utilities, said in a statement. “In the coming weeks and months, we will be looking at additional ways to address affordability and support Albertans.”

Jones also highlighted some provincial laws that sellers and consumers should be aware of.

“The Consumer Protection Act prohibits businesses from grossly raising prices with no explanation beyond what is reasonable for goods that are readily available,” continued the statement. “Sellers can reasonably raise prices, as long as they aren’t taking unfair advantage of the situation. If a seller is increasing prices substantially, they should be prepared to provide an explanation for the increase if a consumer or investigator asks.

“Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction also protects Albertans through investigations of potential violations of consumer protection laws. Alberta’s government is using every tool at its disposal to investigate concerns related to the Fuel Tax relief program. Albertans can report grossly overcharged prices of individual grocery products.”

WATCH: Full Alberta NDP press conference

Alberta NDP’s critics – Sweet, Marie Renaud and Jon Carson – sent a letter to Alberta’s governing UCP.

“Albertans deserve to know they’re paying a fair price for their groceries and if prices increase, they need to be confident that the increase is not padding the profits of already profitable corporations,” the letter reads. “It is up to all of us to take action against the rising cost of food and the potential greed of the larger Canadian grocers.”